This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission. Full Disclosure Policy.
This Guinness Beef Stew is rich and flavorful and perfect for dinner tonight! All the delicious flavor of a slow-cooked stew, made simpler by using just one skillet.
I’m a HUGE fan of skillet meals (and beef stew recipes), mainly because I hate doing dishes, but also because it really is easy. I like that. I really love the flavor of the Guinness, and have no problem disposing of the rest of the 4 pack of Guinness beer that I buy to make this!
This stew is great any time – but… it’s time to start planning for St. Patrick’s Day!!
I have so many memories of St Patrick’s day when I was younger. Drinking green beer, painting shamrocks on my cheeks, generally using the day as an excuse to drink Guinness (who needs just 1 day a year to do THAT?!). I actually spent a few Paddy’s days in Dublin (a story for another day) traipsing up and down the streets in Temple Bar, and being, er… merry.
Love meals made in one skillet? Me too! Try my Arroz con Pollo, Chicken Pot Pie or One Pan Ham & Cheese Pasta!
It’s always fun to look back on those days, and marvel at my stamina for drinking back then think fondly of some good times.
What I REALLY remember is the food. Big piles of comfort food – Irish stews, bread, and potatoes – perfect for taking the chill out of a cold day, and so so delicious.
I LOVE a good stew, and this one is SO good due to the Guinness beer in it. Guinness is a dry stout that is tangy, and creamy and adds an amazing depth of flavor to beef stew. That’s if there’s any left in the bottom of the pot after you try it!
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS
- It’s made in a skillet.
- No need for several hours of braising (made in well under 45 minutes).
- Super easy to make and tastes amazing.
- While sometimes I have all day to cook this stew- I cheat by using a better quality of beef (sirloin instead of chuck roast) so I can make this faster and all in my cast iron skillet.
SUBSTITUTIONS:
- Switch out the peas for green beans, or add frozen corn/peas instead.
- Add a little celery (instead of just carrots – cook carrots and celery at the same stage)
WHAT TO SERVE WITH BEEF STEW
- Serve with crusty bread, or make Irish Soda Bread for a true Irish Dinner!
- Although there are some fork tender potatoes in the stew, I still enjoy eating this over some mashed potatoes or some Irish Colcannon.
Simple ingredients go into my Beef & Guinness Stew:
- BEEF – for this I recommend using sirloin steak – it’s a short cook time, so tougher cuts will not have time to get tender.
- CARROTS – peeled and sliced
- POTATOES – peeled and cut into chunks
- GUINNESS – this is important for the flavor – the alcohol burns off, leaving the rich flavor of the Guinness.
- BEEF STOCK – you can switch this out for chicken stock if you prefer
- CHICKEN STOCK – grab a carton or make your own using my chicken stock recipe.
- FLOUR
- ONIONS – I use frozen pearl onions, but you can use fresh onions if you prefer.
- PEAS – adding these adds a touch of green, and a lot of deliciousness.
- CORNSTARCH – optional – to thicken the stew in a slurry
How to make this recipe:
Full, printable recipe below – just scroll down to the recipe card!
- Season the beef with salt and pepper to taste
- Heat the oil in a large, deep skillet or dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the beef, turning often to brown all sides. Remove to a plate, and set aside.
- Add the tomato paste to the skillet and whisk in the Guinness.
- Crank the heat up to high, and continue whisking to scrape up all the brown bits from the pan.
- Boil, and allow to reduce by about half.
- Whisk together the beef broth, chicken stock and flour until the flour is dissolved, and add the mixture to the skillet, stirring constantly until it comes to a boil.
- Add the onion, carrots, potatoes, return to a boil, and then lower the heat to medium. Cover, and simmer vigorously for about 10 minutes. Vegetables should be almost tender.
- Return the browned beef and any juices to the pan.
- Season with salt and pepper, then add the peas.
- Simmer until the meat is cooked to medium, about 2-3 minutes.
OPTIONAL – IF NEEDED TO THICKEN
- Remove some of the liquid and make a slurry with the cornstarch, and whisk back into the stew until boiling and thickened.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly, and serve.
- Devour.
Kylee’s Notes
Because of the short cooking time, your usual stew meat that is tough – won’t be great in this. Use a good quality steak – sirloin is perfect.
WANT TO TRY THIS RECIPE?
PIN IT TO YOUR FAVORITE PINTEREST BOARDS!
FIND ME ON PINTEREST FOR MORE DELICIOUS RECIPES!
Guinness Beef Stew (made in a skillet)
Recommended Equipment
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb sirloin steak (cut into chunks)
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp cracked pepper
- 2 Tbs vegetable oil
- 3 carrots (cut into ¼ inch coins)
- 1 lb potatoes (peeled and cut into 1 inch chunks)
- 12 oz Guinness (or other stout beer)
- 3 Tbs tomato paste
- 1 cup beef stock
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 2 Tbs all purpose flour
- 1 cup pearl onions
- 1 cup peas
OPTIONAL – IF NEEDED
- 1 Tbs cornstarch
Directions
- Season the beef with salt and pepper.
- Heat the oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat.
- Brown the meat, turning often to brown all sides.
- Remove to a plate, and set aside.
- Add the tomato paste to the skillet and whisk in the Guinness.
- Crank the heat up to high, and continue whisking to scrape up all the brown bits from the pan.
- Boil, and allow to reduce by about half.
- Whisk together the broth and flour until the flour is dissolved.
- Add the mixture to the skillet, stirring constantly until it comes to a boil.
- Add the prepared carrots, potatoes, and onions, return to a boil, and then lower the heat to medium, cover, and simmer vigorously for about 10 minutes. Vegetables should be almost tender.
- Return the browned beef and any juices to the pan.
- Season with salt and pepper, then add the peas.
- Simmer until the meat is cooked to medium, about 2-3 minutes.
OPTIONAL – IF NEEDED TO THICKEN
- Remove some of the liquid and make a slurry with the cornstarch, and whisk back into the stew until boiling and thickened.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly, and serve.
- Devour.
Notes
- Because of the short cooking time, your usual stew meat that is tough – won’t be great in this
- Switch out the peas for green beans, or add frozen corn/peas instead
- Serve with a crusty bread, or make Irish Soda Bread for a true Irish Dinner!
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Update: This was originally posted in 2018, and has been updated to improve reader experience.
Brenda Davis says
So delicious and easy! And a great stovetop stew for an August day when no one wants to turn on the oven or stay long in the kitchen! This one I’m saving, and my husband gives several likes!
Jo says
I can never have enough stew recipes. This guinness beef stew is absolutely delicious! So satisfying and filling!
paige says
This looks amazing and I love that I can make it in the skillet! Super easy and I bet it tastes great too.
Paula Montenegro says
I’m also a fan of skillet meals and stews, so this is my type of recipe! So flavorful and perfect for chilly months!
Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer says
Stews are probably one of my favorite types of dishes in the winter. So hearty and comforting! I love that you made this in a skillet too! I’ll bring the crusty bread if you want to share! 😊
Marisa F. Stewart says
Skillet meals are the best and once I saw this stew I knew I had to make it. WOW! The meat is so tender and the gravy is wonderful. Talk about comfort food. It’s seasoned just right. This I know will be a family favorite.
Danielle says
Made this on the weekend and we loved it. Good flavor. Thanks!
Elaine says
Such a great dish to make this season and an absolute must for anyone in love with strong flavors. I have made this several times now
Anna says
Stews are just perfect for this time of the year, nothing more satisfying than a big bowl of hearty meal! Love your version with Guinness!
Jacqui DeBono says
Stew is one of my favourite wintertime meals. I especially love that you can do it all in one pot! For an extra treat, I drop some dumplings in!
Chef Dennis says
We ate this Guinness Beef Stew for dinner! It is really scrumptious!
Kelly Anthony says
You had me at one pot and done in 35 minutes. I’m all about doing the least possible dishes with the most amount of flavor just like this beef Guinness stew.
Kate says
This is such a classic! Perfect for this month!
Danielle says
I absolutely love a skillet meal, and make is a stew and I’m one happy girl. I can’t believe it’s March already! I just made my first st paddys day corned beef yesterday, so let them games begin! This stew sounds awesome! back in my drinking days, I had a Guinness or too, and the flavor is great! I’m sure it adds something special to this stew.