Slow Cooker Beef Guinness Stew
This slow cooker Irish beef and Guinness stew is packed with tender beef, bacon, potatoes, carrots, celery and onions, all summered in a rich and savory broth with Guinness. This dish is the ultimate comfort food!
When life is busy, nothing beats coming home to a warm, hearty meal that’s ready to serve! This stew is kid friendly, full of familiar flavors, and requires minimal hands on time, making it perfect for a St. Patrick’s Day meal – or a cozy dinner any night of the week!
This stew is a fantastic way to introduce kids to new flavors in a way that feels approachable. The slow-cooked beef becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender, while the vegetables soak up the rich broth, creating a dish that’s hearty and satisfying without being overwhelming. Plus, it’s a set-it-and-forget-it meal—just toss everything into the slow cooker in the morning, and by dinnertime, you’ll have a deeply flavorful, one-pot meal ready to go.
Can kids eat this stew?
Yes! While Guinness beer adds depth and richness to this stew, the alcohol content cooks off during the long slow-cooking process, leaving behind only its deep, malty flavor. The slow simmering time (7-8 hours on low) ensures that the alcohol evaporates, making this dish completely safe for kids to enjoy.
If you’re still unsure about using beer, just swap it for more beef broth.
But if you’re comfortable with it, Guinness is a fantastic addition—it enhances the deep, complex flavors in the broth without making the dish taste like beer. Your whole family will love the result! 😊
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Effortless slow cooker meal – Minimal prep, just set it and forget it!
- Kid-Friendly ingredients – Familiar flavors with a rich, comforting broth.
- Perfect for busy days – Chop and prep ahead for an even easier morning.
- Great for St. Patrick’s Day & beyond – A classic Irish-inspired meal that works year-round.
Discover your next culinary adventure
Love this cozy, slow-cooked meal? Try these other family-friendly recipes to explore the taste of Ireland:
- Sourdough Irish Soda Bread – A perfect pairing for this stew!
- Colcannon Mash – Try spooning the stew on top of colcannon mash for an extra hearty meal
- Sausage Rolls – These are a great for an appetizer, a snack, or make them the star of a meal!
How to make slow cooker beef stew
This stew is really easy to make! Here is a brief overview of how to make this recipe so you know what to expect, but for the full recipe, please scroll down to the recipe card below.
- Sauté the bacon: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until almost crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
- Layer the ingredients in the slow cooker: Add the chopped veggies to the slow cooker. Place the cubed beef on top, followed by the bacon.
- Make the broth: Sprinkle the seasonings on top, and pour in the the liquids over the ingredients in the slow cooker.
- Cook Low & Slow: Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or HIGH for 4-5 hours, until the beef is tender and the the veggies are soft.
- Serve & Enjoy: Remove the bay leaf, stir, and serve warm. Pair it with crusty bread or Irish soda bread for the perfect meal!
Prep-ahead tips for busy mornings
If mornings are hectic, here’s how to make this recipe even easier:
- Chop the veggies the night before – Dice the carrots, potatoes, celery, and onion and store them in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Cook the bacon ahead of time – Fry the bacon the night before and store it in the fridge so you can toss it in with no extra steps.
With these simple prep steps, you can wake up, dump everything into the slow cooker, and walk away—dinner will be waiting when you get home!
How kids can help in the kitchen
- Help wash & peel veggies – Little hands can rinse the carrots and potatoes or help peel them with supervision.
- Mix the broth – Kids love stirring! Let them whisk together the tomato paste, broth, and Guinness.
- Set the table – A simple but helpful way to involve kids in mealtime prep.
Cooking together makes meals feel special and helps kids get more comfortable with new flavors.
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Slow Cooker Beef Guinness Stew
Ingredients
- 8 ounces bacon
- 5 yukon potatoes cubed into 2″ pieces
- 5 carrots cubed (or 20 baby carrots)
- 2 celery stalks diced
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 3 lb beef chuck roast cubed into 2″ pieces
- 3 Tablespoons flour
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ cup tomato paste
- 1 bay leaf
- 4 cups low sodium beef broth
- 12 ounces stout beer
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until almost crispy.8 ounces bacon
- Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
- To the insert of the slow cooker, add the chopped potatoes, carrot, celery, and onion5 yukon potatoes, 5 carrots, 2 celery stalks, 1 yellow onion
- Place the cubed beef on top, followed by the cooked bacon.3 lb beef chuck roast
- Sprinkle the flour, thyme, salt, pepper and bay leaf evenly over the beef cubes, and the dot the tomato paste and butter on top.3 Tablespoons flour, 2 teaspoons dried thyme, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, 1/4 cup tomato paste, 1 bay leaf, 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- Pour the broth and stout over the ingredients in the slow cooker.4 cups low sodium beef broth, 12 ounces stout beer
- Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or HIGH for 4-5 hours, until the beef is mostly tender.
- Remove the bay leaf, stir, and serve warm. Pair it with crusty bread or Irish soda bread for the perfect meal! Serve with chopped fresh parsley.1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
