There’s something comforting about a hearty stew simmering away on a cold day. Filling the house with its rich, savoury aroma. This slow cooker beef and Guinness stew is the epitome of comfort food. Perfect for those evenings when you want to relax and enjoy a meal that feels like a warm hug. The deep, robust flavours of the Guinness blend beautifully with the tender beef and vegetables. Creating a dish that is satisfying and indulgent. Preparing this stew is like stepping back in time, using classic ingredients and methods that have been cherished for generations.
The beauty of this recipe lies in the slow cooking process. It allows all the flavours to meld together, giving you a stew that’s bursting with richness and depth. The beef becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender, while the vegetables absorb the goodness of the stock, Guinness, and pancetta. Each bite is a delightful symphony of taste and texture – whether it’s the succulent meat or the slightly crisp vegetables that offer a satisfying contrast.
Whether you’re preparing this dish for a family dinner or a special occasion, this slow-cooked beef and Guinness stew is sure to impress. It’s a meal that invites you to slow down, savour each bite, and enjoy the simple pleasures of good food and good company. So the slow cooking process allows the stew to develop a depth of flavour that’s hard to achieve in any other way, and it’s a perfect dish for a chilly evening.
This slow cooker beef & Guinness stew takes 8 hours on low, but the wait is worth it. So gather your ingredients, set your slow cooker, and look forward to a meal that’s as comforting as it is delicious.
PREP 5 minutes
COOK 8 hours on low
SERVES 2 people
KIT you will need a slow cooker.
Ingredients for Slow Cooker Beef Stew
500g of stewing steak
2 heaped tablespoons of plain flour
2 carrots, chopped roughly into chunks
3 shallots, halved
1 stick of celery, chopped roughly into chunks
300g of pancetta
3 or 4 bay leaves
1 teaspoon of garlic paste
Beef stock pot
Olive oil
Seasoning
Method
There is nothing more comforting than a rich and hearty beef stew, especially when it has been slowly simmered to perfection. This Slow Cooker Beef & Guinness Stew is packed with deep, savoury flavours and tender chunks of beef – a proper comfort food classic ideal for chilly days or when you just want something that warms you from the inside out.
Start by placing plain flour and a pinch of salt and pepper into a large bowl. Then coat your beef pieces in the seasoned flour, shaking off any excess. Heat a dash of olive oil in a pan over high heat and sear the beef for around 5 minutes, allowing it to develop a lovely golden crust. Then add a splash of red wine and stir for an additional 2 minutes to deglaze the pan. Transfer the beef to your preheated slow cooker.
Then add a little water and a pint of Guinness to the slow cooker, giving everything a good stir. To capture all the flavour from your pan, pour in a splash of water and heat it gently, scraping up all those delicious sticky bits to form a rich paste. Add this to the slow cooker.
In the same pan, sauté your chopped carrots, onions, celery, and garlic for a few minutes until just softened. Add in a beef stock pot and a teaspoon of garlic paste, mix well, and transfer to the slow cooker.
Separately, fry diced pancetta in a hot pan until crispy and stir it into the stew. Pop the lid on and cook on low for 8 hours.
Serve your stew with a generous helping of cheesy mashed potatoes and a side of tender green beans. It’s a complete, soul-satisfying meal that is perfect for sharing.
Tips for Slow Cooker Beef Stew
1. Brown the beef first
For the best flavour, sear your beef in a hot pan before adding it to the slow cooker. This step adds depth and richness you can’t get from slow cooking alone. Just a few minutes to brown the edges will make a big difference.
2. Choose the right cut
Use chuck, stewing steak, or braising beef. So these type of cuts with marbling that become meltingly tender during slow cooking. Leaner cuts tend to dry out.
3. Layer your ingredients
Place root vegetables like carrots and potatoes on the bottom of the slow cooker where the heat is most intense. Add the beef on top, followed by any softer veg like mushrooms or peas toward the end of cooking.
4. Don’t overdo the liquid
Slow cookers don’t allow for much evaporation, so you only need enough liquid to cover the beef and veg halfway. You can always add more later, but too much at the start can make it watery.
5. Add herbs and seasoning early, but adjust later
A few sprigs of thyme, bay leaves, garlic, salt, and pepper go in at the start. Taste and adjust seasoning once it’s fully cooked, as flavours mellow during the long cooking time.
6. Cook low and slow
Set on low for 8 to 10 hours or high for 4 to 5 hours. The low setting gives the best, most tender results.
7. Thicken before serving
If your stew is too thin, mix a spoonful of cornflour with cold water and stir it in 20 to 30 minutes before serving. Let it simmer with the lid off to thicken.
Delicious slow cooked comfort food doesn’t get easier than this!
Similar recipes
If you love this easy slow cooker beef stew, you might also like my simple slow cooker bean stew, the slow cooker beef tacos or the air fryer sausage stew recipe.
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