Killarney Guinness Beef Stew

Name: Killarney Guinness Beef Stew
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 2 h 30 min
Total time: 3 h
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Irish
Ingredients: 3 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into 2-inch cubes; 6 slices bacon, chopped; 2 large onions, diced; 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced; 3 large carrots, cut into chunks; 3 celery stalks, cut into chunks; 6 cloves garlic, minced; 3 tablespoons tomato paste; 1/4 cup all-purpose flour; 12 ounces Guinness beer; 4 cups beef stock; 2 bay leaves; 2 sprigs fresh thyme; 1 pound baby potatoes; Salt and pepper to taste; 2 tablespoons olive oil

Killarney Guinness Beef Stew is a traditional Irish braise combining beef chuck, root vegetables, and dark Guinness beer in a rich tomato broth. The beer adds depth and slight bitterness that balances the savory, melt-in-mouth beef.

🌍Irish 🏷️Beef stew 🏷️Guinness 🏷️Killarney 🏷️Comfort food 🏷️Hearty

Total

3h

Servings

6

Difficulty

Expert

Est. Cost

$29–$48

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From Ask Chef Dennis

Ingredients

3 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into 2-inch cubes
6 slices bacon, chopped
2 large onions, diced
8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
3 large carrots, cut into chunks
3 celery stalks, cut into chunks
6 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
12 ounces Guinness beer
4 cups beef stock
2 bay leaves
2 sprigs fresh thyme
1 pound baby potatoes
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil

16 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
Season beef cubes with salt and pepper
2
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat
3
Sear beef cubes on all sides until browned, remove and set aside
4
Cook bacon in the same pot until crispy
5
Add onions and mushrooms, cook until softened
6
Add garlic and cook for 1 minute
7
Stir in tomato paste and flour, cook for 2 minutes
8
Slowly add Guinness beer, scraping up browned bits
9
Add beef stock, bay leaves, and thyme
10
Return beef to pot, bring to a boil
11
Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 1.5 hours
12
Add carrots, celery, and potatoes
13
Continue cooking for 30-45 minutes until vegetables are tender
14
Remove bay leaves and thyme sprigs before serving

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Brown the beef and bacon in batches over high heat to build fond; don't skip this step—it deepens the broth flavor.
Dust beef cubes with flour before browning to create a light thickener and improve browning.
Add Guinness after deglazing the pot to incorporate the browned bits; this adds complexity.
Taste and season at the end; salt intensifies as the stew reduces, so adjust carefully.

Substitutions

Guinness beer → other dark stout or porter (similar depth)
Beef chuck roast → beef brisket or short ribs (similar braise time)
Tomato paste → tomato sauce, reduce quantity by half (thinner broth)
Bacon → pancetta or smoked salt for a similar savory note

Storage & make-ahead

Store cooled stew in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months; reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat.