Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew will have you coming back for seconds even if it’s not St. Patrick’s Day. The stew is hearty, savory and a little sweet with a secret ingredient you might not guess.
Corned beef and cabbage is great and all but I personally prefer this Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew. It’s like a traditional pot roast but I like it even better than that. Which is kind of weird because I don’t actually like to drink Guinness. However it’s a key ingredient in this stew and in one of my favorite chocolate cake recipes.
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And speaking of chocolate, there is chocolate in this stew. Please trust me on this. Something magical happens in the slow cooker between the Guinness and the chocolate and the beef. And you want to know another secret? When filming this video I made a mistake resulting in adding double the amount of chocolate to the stew. You won’t see it, thanks to the magic of editing. I was a bit concerned about the extra chocolate (it’s not dessert after all) but it was still wonderful!
Watch how to make this Guinness Stew:
This recipe clearly has a St. Patrick’s Day theme. But I truly think it’s delicious as a pot roast for any time of year. The resulting gravy doesn’t scream Irish. It’s just really, really good.
Tips for Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew:
- I use a 6-quart slow cooker similar to this one to make this stew.
- This is the brand of bittersweet chocolate chips I add to the stew.
- I serve this stew over traditional mashed potatoes. My recipe for party potatoes would also be a good side dish to go with this stew.
- This is the pan I use in the video. It is the only non-stick pan I have owned that has kept its coating after years of use.
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Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew
Ingredients
- 2.5 to 3 lbs beef stew meat cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 sweet onion peeled and sliced
- 6 medium (about 1 pound) carrots peeled and sliced
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp thyme
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup Guinness beer
- 1 10.5 oz beef consommé or beef broth
- 1 tbsp light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup bittersweet chocolate chips I use Ghirardelli brand
Instructions
- To a 6 or 8 quart slow cooker set on low heat, add the sliced onions and carrots.
- In a large, non-stick skillet, heat the butter over medium heat until melted. Add the beef and cook until starting to brown, about 5 minutes.
- Sprinkle the flour, salt, thyme and pepper over the beef and stir until coated.
- Pour in the Guinness and bring to a strong simmer. Add the beef consommé, brown sugar and chocolate and allow to simmer for a few minutes until the sauce is thickening.
- Pour the beef mixture into the slow cooker. Stir to combine. Cover and cook on low heat for 6 to 8 hours. Serve the stew with mashed potatoes and peas.
Pam Greer says
I agree with you, I would rather have this stew than corned beef and cabbage! The beer and chocolate take it over the top delicious!
foodtasticmom says
Thanks very much Pam!
Lauren Vavala | DeliciousLittleBites says
I love corned beef and cabbage but this looks equally as great – gotta fit them both in this month for sure!
foodtasticmom says
I always manage to fit in corned beef and cabbage too – usually in the form of a reuben 🙂 So many great foods to enjoy in March!
Colleen says
I don’t like to drink Guinness, either, but it’s great for recipes, and this one looks like a winner. Can’t wait to make a stew with beer and chocolate!
foodtasticmom says
Come back and let us know what you think!
Saima says
Wow, look at all that rich sauce in this beef stew! I would absolutely make this! And your secret ingredient is mindblowing! Is that what lends it such a chocolatey colour too?
foodtasticmom says
It is. It does help the color. But more importantly it helps with the flavor. Thank you so much!
Jillian says
Beef Stew is one of my most favorite dishes! I love how easy it is to make, tasty it is and I love how it makes my house smell soooo delicious! Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
foodtasticmom says
Thank you! Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you too!
Toni says
I seriously need to give it a try! Looks so comforting!
foodtasticmom says
Yes you do!