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Slow Cooker Irish Beef Stew

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LIZ DELLA CROCE

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The ultimate one-pot dinner recipe, this slow cooker Irish beef stew is filled with hearty vegetables, creamy potatoes, and tender beef. 

A white shallow bowl filled with slow cooker Irish beef stew.

While I certainly focus most on my Lebanese and Jewish heritage, I am also 8% Irish. So when St Patrick’s day comes around, we like to celebrate with food! I’m sharing one of our favorite meals: Slow Cooker Irish Beef Stew. What’s great about this one-pot dish is that the slow cooker does all of the work. Not to mention this dish tastes even better the next day and freezes extremely well!

Want some green recipes for St Patrick’s Day? Try my Shamrock Shake Healthy Copycat or Italian Herb Roasted Broccoli.

Why You’ll Love This Beef Stew

  • Easy to make ahead of time or start in the morning and then walk away!
  • Searing then slow cooking the beef makes it melt-in-your-mouth tender.
  • It’s a hearty stew that will leave you full and satisfied!

Ingredients

Labeled ingredients for slow cooker Irish beef stew.
  • Beef: I always use a beef chuck roast cut into cubes for easy searing.
  • Veggies: A good mix of hearty vegetables like potatoes, carrots, onions, and peas.
  • Beef broth: Acts as the flavorful base of the stew.
  • Tomato paste: Adds umami flavor and thickens the broth just a bit.
  • Worcestershire sauce: Adds more umami, savory flavor to the broth.
  • Garlic: Tastes a bit nutty and sweet when cooked.
  • Thyme: A bit woodsy and earthy in flavor.

How to Make Slow Cooker Irish Beef Stew

Liz cutting potatoes into quarters.

Step 1. Wash and cut your vegetables, then set aside.

Searing beef pieces in a pan.

Step 2. In a deep skillet, melt the butter and sear your beef on all sides.

Ingredients for Irish beef stew in a slow cooker bowl.

Step 3. Add the seared beef and prepared veggies to the bowl of your slow cooker, along with some salt and pepper.

Grating garlic cloves into slow cooker bowl with veggies.

Step 4. Add the fresh thyme and use a microplane to grate in your garlic.

Liz pouring Irish stout into slow cooker with beef and veggies.

Step 5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the broth, tomato paste, and worcestershire sauce and add it to the pot. If you’re using stout, now is when you’ll add the Guinness.

Stirring all ingredients for beef stew together in slow cooker.

Step 6. Toss it all together, then close the lid. Cook on low for 8 hours, or high for 4. About 15 minutes before serving, add the frozen peas.

Slow cooker Irish beef stew garnished with a sprig on thyme.

Serve garnished with any fresh herbs, and enjoy your Slow Cooker Irish Beef Stew!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between beef stew and Irish beef stew?

While Irish stew can be made with beef, it can also be made with lamb or mutton, which is really the only difference.

What is the best cut of beef for stew?

Beef chuck roast is the perfect balance between lean and fat so that it can withstand the slow cooking nature, and ends up being perfectly tender.

Does beer make stew bitter?

It can if you use too much, or over cook it. But it usually just adds an extra depth of rich flavor!

Irish beef stew in a white bowl.

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Slow Cooker Irish Beef Stew

5 stars
Liz Della Croce
The ultimate one-pot dinner recipe, this slow cooker Irish stew is filled with hearty vegetables, creamy potatoes and tender beef. 
PREP: 15 minutes
COOK: 4 hours
TOTAL: 4 hours 15 minutes
Pin
Servings6

Equipment

Ingredients
 

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 pounds beef chuck roast (cut in 2-inch cubes)
  • 1 tablespoon salt (divided)
  • 2 teaspoons pepper (divided)
  • 3 medium carrots (peeled and cut in 2-inch pieces)
  • 1 large onion (cut in large chunks)
  • 12 small potatoes
  • 2 tablespoons fresh thyme (minced)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 6 ounces Irish stout (such as Guinness) (optional)
  • 2 cups green peas (fresh or frozen)

Instructions
 

  • Melt butter in deep skillet over medium high heat (or use slow cooker insert if it’s stove-top safe). Sprinkle beef cubes with 2 teaspoons of the salt and 1 teaspoon of the pepper. Sear beef for about 2 minutes per side to form a crust; remove from pan and add into slow cooker.
    2 tablespoons butter, 2 pounds beef chuck roast, 1 tablespoon salt, 2 teaspoons pepper
  • To the slow cooker toss in the carrots, onion and potatoes. Sprinkle with remaining 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper as well as the thyme and garlic.
    1 tablespoon salt, 2 teaspoons pepper, 3 medium carrots, 1 large onion, 12 small potatoes, 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, 3 cloves garlic
  • In a small bowl, whisk together beef broth, tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce then pour into the slow cooker along with the Irish stout if using.
    2 cups beef broth, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 6 ounces Irish stout (such as Guinness)
  • Heat on Low for 8 Hours of High for 4 Hours. 15 minutes before the stew is done cooking, stir in the peas. Serve warm.
    2 cups green peas

Last Step:

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Liz’s Notes

While browning your beef beforehand isn’t required, I highly recommend doing so for the increased flavor and tenderness! 

Nutrition

Serving: 2cups | Calories: 397kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 114mg | Sodium: 1711mg | Potassium: 911mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 5795IU | Vitamin C: 29.1mg | Calcium: 78mg | Iron: 4.9mg


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13 responses to “Slow Cooker Irish Beef Stew”

  1. Donna R Avatar
    Donna R

    I’m making this today, I don’t put potatoes in the stew, I make mashed and serve the stew on top, so good, thanks for the recipe!🍀🍀🍀

  2. Darla Avatar
    Darla

    Thank you so very much Liz for posting this irish stu. I’m looking forward to making it????

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      I hope you love it Darla!

      1. Darla Avatar
        Darla

        It came out delicious. But it didn’t thicken. How do you make stew thicken??
        Thanks again for sharing your recipe. I’m going to make the Arabic lentils next????

        1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
          Liz DellaCroce

          Hmmm if it didn’t thicken you can always add in a roux (a little corn starch or flour with warm water?) Btw I’m teaching a Lebanese cooking class March 24th!! You should join!

  3. Janet Avatar
    Janet

    What size slow cooker do you use? Can’t wait to try it!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Gosh I have a bunch of sizes and use them all it just depends!! Bigger the better though lol.

      1. Janet Avatar
        Janet

        Thanks Liz. I meant for the 6 servings. Looking forward to it this weekend. Janet

        1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
          Liz DellaCroce

          I hope you love it!! For 6 servings a 4 quart would work!

    2. Janet Avatar
      Janet

      For the recipe that serves6. Thanks!

  4. Rose Avatar
    Rose

    Good tip to use small potatoes and leave them whole that way they get soft and creamy without falling apart.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Yes exactly Rose!

  5. Gina @Running to the Kitchen Avatar
    Gina @Running to the Kitchen

    This sounds so good right now! I love how easy and flavorful it is!