Best Irish Stew Recipes

GUINNESS® IRISH STEW

Steps:

• Toss beef cubes with 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a bowl.
• Whisk flour, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper in a separate bowl. Dredge beef cubes through flour mixture until evenly coated.
• Heat 1/4 cup vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; cook and stir coated beef cubes, working in batches, until beef is browned on all sides, 5 to 10 minutes. Transfer browned beef to a Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot.
• Cook and stir onions and garlic in the same skillet used for browning beef until lightly browned, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Stir tomato paste with enough water to partially dilute; pour into onion mixture. Stir to blend. Reduce heat to medium, cover Dutch oven, and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Pour half the Irish stout into the onion mixture, and bring to a boil while scraping the browned bits of food off of the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Transfer entire mixture to the browned beef. Pour remaining half of Irish stout into beef mixture; add thyme.
• Cover Dutch oven, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 2 hours. Add potatoes and carrots and simmer, stirring every 20 minutes, until potatoes are soft, about 1 hour. Adjust salt as needed; garnish with parsley.

IRISH LAMB STEW

Steps:

• Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble, and set aside.
• Put lamb, salt, pepper, and flour in large mixing bowl. Toss to coat meat evenly. Brown meat in frying pan with bacon fat.
• Place meat into stock pot (leave 1/4 cup of fat in frying pan). Add the garlic and yellow onion and saute till onion begins to become golden. Deglaze frying pan with 1/2 cup water and add the garlic-onion mixture to the stock pot with bacon pieces, beef stock, and sugar. Cover and simmer for 1 1/2 hours.
• Add carrots, onions, potatoes, thyme, bay leaves, and wine to pot. Reduce heat, and simmer covered for 20 minutes until vegetables are tender.

IRISH BEEF STEW

Steps:

• In a stockpot, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Using a slotted spoon, remove to paper towels. In a large shallow dish, combine flour, salt and pepper. Add beef, a few pieces at a time, and turn to coat. Brown beef in the bacon drippings. Remove and set aside., In the same pot, saute the mushrooms, leeks, carrots and celery in oil until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in tomato paste until blended. Add the broth, beer, bay leaves, thyme, parsley and rosemary. Return beef and bacon to pot. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until beef is tender, about 2 hours., Add potatoes. Return to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 1 hour longer. Combine cornstarch and water until smooth; stir into stew. Bring to a boil; cook and stir until thickened, about 2 minutes. Add peas; heat through. Discard bay leaves.

CHEF JOHN'S IRISH PORK STEW

Steps:

• Season pork cubes with salt and black pepper.
• Heat vegetable oil in a pot over high heat. Working in batches, cook and stir pork in hot oil until browned on all sides, 5 to 10 minutes. Transfer pork to a bowl and reduce heat to medium.
• Melt butter in the pot. Cook and stir onion with a pinch of salt in hot butter until onion is softened and translucent, 7 to 10 minutes. Add garlic; saute until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• Stir flour into onion mixture; cook and stir until flour is completely incorporated, about 2 minutes. Add bay leaf and caraway seed; cook for 2 minutes more. Pour beer into onion mixture. Cook and stir until thickened, 1 to 3 minutes.
• Stir pork, chicken broth, carrots, and celery into beer mixture; bring to simmer. Stir 1/4 cup parsley and balsamic vinegar into stew, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until pork is fork-tender, about 2 hours.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the Brussels sprouts and cook uncovered until almost tender, about 5 minutes. Drain.
• Stir Brussels sprouts into stew and simmer until heated through, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Divide mashed potatoes between 6 bowls. Ladle stew over potatoes and top each with a pinch of parsley.

IRISH BEEF STEW

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Toss beef cubes with flour to coat, then fry in the hot oil until browned. Place the carrots, potatoes, onion and garlic in a large slow cooker. Place the meat on top of the vegetables. Mix together the beef broth and tomato paste and pour into the slow cooker along with the beer.
• Cover and cook on High for 6 hours or Low for 8 hours. During the last hour before serving, dissolve the cornstarch in cold water and then stir into the broth. Simmer on the High setting for a few minutes to thicken.

CLASSIC IRISH STEW

Steps:

• Make the stock. Put the lamb bones in a large heavy-based saucepan with the carrot, onion, celery, herbs, peppercorns and 1 tsp salt. Pour in 3 litres/5 ¼ pints water. Bring to the boil and simmer uncovered for 2 hours.
• Strain the stock through a fine sieve to remove bones and vegetables, then return to the pan. Boil until reduced to about 1.3 litres/2 ¼ pints. (You can make the stock the day before - keep it in a covered container in the fridge, or freeze it for up to 3 months.)
• Make the stew. Cut the lamb into large chunks. Peel the potatoes (keeping both types separate) and cut into pieces of similar size to the meat. Put the two different types in separate bowls of water to keep them white. Peel the carrots and cut into slightly smaller pieces. Slice the onions into thick rings.
• Put the lamb in a large, clean saucepan. Pour in the stock and bring to the boil, skimming off all the impurities from the surface. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer gently for 10 minutes.
• Add the floury potatoes, carrots and onions. Season generously and simmer for a further 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add the waxy potatoes and thyme. Simmer until the lamb is tender (15-20 minutes). Take off the heat, cover (don't stir) and leave for 15 minutes. (You can make this up to 2 days ahead and keep in the fridge). Garnish and serve.

IRISH-STYLE LAMB STEW

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
• Layer the lamb meat, onion, potatoes, carrot and celery in an oven proof pot or casserole dish. Season each layer with parsley, salt and pepper as you go. Pour in the beef stock and cover tightly.
• Bake for 1 1/2 to 2 hours in the preheated oven, until vegetables and meat are very tender. Divide into bowls and garnish with additional parsley.

BEEF AND IRISH STOUT STEW

Steps:

• Toss the beef cubes with 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper. Dredge the beef in this to coat.
• Heat the remaining oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the beef, and brown on all sides. Add the onions, and garlic. Stir the tomato paste into a small amount of water to dilute; pour into the pan and stir to blend. Reduce the heat to medium, cover, and cook for 5 minutes.
• Pour 1/2 cup of the beer into the pan, and as it begins to boil, scrape any bits of food from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. This adds a lot of flavor to the broth. Pour in the rest of the beer, and add the carrots and thyme. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally. Taste and adjust seasoning before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley.

TRADITIONAL IRISH GUINNESS STEW

Steps:

• In a large glass bowl, combine Guinness, mustard, rosemary, and bay leaves.
• Add the beef cubes, stir in, cover, leave to marinate in the fridge overnight.
• Preheat oven to 325°F or 160°C.
• Drain the meat and keep the marinate to one side for later.
• On a plate or chopping board, sprinkle the flour and season to your tastes. I recommend just a bit of salt and pepper and a touch of rosemary.
• Cover the beef cubes in the flour and set aside.
• In a large skillet, melt butter and brown the meat 3-5 minutes each side. Transfer this to a casserole dish and do not clean the skillet (this retains flavours released by the beef).
• Add the remaining butter to the skillet, when foamy add the onions and cook until brown and/or tender. Add these to the casserole dish.
• Repeat this step for all other vegetables, only adding butter when necessary. Each vegetable should be cooked until tender. This will take a maximum of 5 minutes.
• Add the vegetables to the casserole dish followed by the marinate and beef stock.
• Cook for 1.5-2 hours or until meat is tender. Stir occasionally. The Guinness will reduce a lot, but if it looks too dehydrated you can add more.
• Taste occasionally, and if it is too sharp you can add sugar to cut the taste.

TRADITIONAL IRISH STEW

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add beef; cook until evenly browned, 3 to 5 minutes per side.
• Place potatoes, carrots, onion, and garlic in a slow cooker; top with browned beef.
• Pour 1/4 cup beer into the same skillet and bring to a boil while scraping the browned bits of beef off of the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon. Stir in tomato paste; cook until thickened, about 5 minutes. Pour beer mixture into slow cooker.
• Pour beef broth, remaining beer, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper into slow cooker.
• Cook on Low for 8 hours.

IRISH LAMB STEW

Steps:

• In a large bowl, season flour with salt and pepper. Dredge lamb in flour mixture, shaking off excess. In a Dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat. Working in batches, brown lamb on all sides, about 5 minutes per batch. Transfer to a plate.
• Pour 1/4 cup water into pot, scraping up browned bits from bottom with a wooden spoon. Add onion; cook, stirring occasionally, until water has evaporated and onion is beginning to soften, about 5 minutes. Return lamb to pot; stir in thyme, beer, and 1 1/2 cups water. Cover; simmer until lamb is tender, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
• Add potatoes, carrots, and 1/2 cup water. Cook, covered, until vegetables are tender and stew has thickened, about 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Let cool completely before storing. Stir in parsley just before serving.

SLOW-COOKER IRISH STOUT BEEF STEW

Steps:

• Spray 5-quart slow cooker with cooking spray.
• Mix onions, melted butter, 1/4 teaspoon of the salt and 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper in slow cooker. Add 1 cup of the broth. Cover; cook on Low heat setting 8 to 10 hours or until onions are very tender and browned.
• In large bowl, mix flour, remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt and remaining 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Add beef; toss to coat. Discard any excess flour. In 12-inch skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat. Cook half of beef 5 to 7 minutes or until browned on all sides. Transfer to slow cooker; repeat with remaining 1 tablespoon oil and remaining half of beef.
• Add remaining 1 cup broth to skillet; heat to boiling over medium-high heat, scraping up any browned bits on bottom of skillet. Add to slow cooker.
• Add Guinness®, potatoes, carrots and thyme to slow cooker; stir. Cover; cook on Low heat setting 8 to 10 hours or until meat is tender and sauce is thickened.
• Garnish with parsley.

GUINNESS IRISH BEEF STEW

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add diced beef and sauté until brown on all sides, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and sauté 1 minute. Add beef stock, Guinness, red wine, tomato paste, sugar, Worcestershire sauce and bay leaves. Stir to combine. Bring mixture to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, then cover and simmer 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
• While the meat and stock is simmering, melt butter in another large pot over medium heat. Add potatoes, onion and carrots. Sauté vegetables until golden, about 20 minutes. Set aside until the beef stew in step one has simmered for one hour.
• Add vegetables to beef stew. Simmer uncovered until vegetables and beef are very tender, about 40 minutes. Discard bay leaves. Tilt pan and spoon off fat. Transfer stew to serving bowl.
• (Can be prepared up to 2 days ahead. Salt and pepper to taste. Cool slightly. Refrigerate uncovered until cold, then cover and refrigerate. Bring to simmer before serving.).

IRISH BEEF STEW WITH GUINNESS® BEER

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Stir in the onion, garlic, salt, and pepper. Cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the beef, beer, sliced potatoes, and quartered potatoes. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the beef is tender, about 2 hours. Season to taste with salt and pepper before serving.

SIMPLE SLOW COOKER IRISH STEW

Steps:

• Heat a skillet over medium heat and add oil. Cook stew meat until browned on all side, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Transfer browned meat to the insert of a slow cooker. Add potatoes, onion, water, bouillon cubes, salt, and pepper.
• Cover and cook on Low power for 8 hours.

GERRY'S EASY IRISH STEW

Steps:

• Heat vegetable oil in a stockpot over medium heat. Cook beef until browned on all sides, 2 to 4 minutes per side. Stir in onion, carrots, and celery.
• Mix water, gravy mix, and bouillon together in a small bowl; pour into stockpot. Stir in Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, and oregano.
• Cover stockpot, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 1 hour. Stir in potatoes, cover, and simmer until potatoes are easily pierced with a fork, about 30 minutes more. Season with salt and pepper.

BEER BRAISED IRISH STEW AND COLCANNON

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
• Heat the vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until very hot, and brown the meat in 2 batches, stirring to brown the cubes on all sides. Return all the meat to the Dutch oven, sprinkle with flour, and stir lightly to coat the meat with flour. Stir in onion, carrots, dark beer, bay leaves, thyme, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil, and cover.
• Place the Dutch oven into the preheated oven, and cook for 45 minutes; uncover, stir the stew, and cook until the beef is very tender and the liquid is reduced by half, about 45 more minutes.
• Place the bacon in a large, deep skillet, and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain the bacon slices on a paper towel-lined plate. Crumble the bacon and set aside.
• About 30 minutes before the stew is ready, make the colcannon: Place the potatoes into a large pot and cover with salted water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and allow to steam dry for a minute or two.
• Place the cabbage into a microwave-safe bowl, and add 1 or 2 tablespoons of water. Cover and microwave on High for about 2 1/2 minutes; uncover (watch out for steam) and stir the cabbage. Cover and microwave for about 2 1/2 more minutes, until the cabbage is slightly tender but not mushy. Drain excess liquid, and set the cabbage aside, covered.
• Place the potatoes into a large bowl, and add milk, butter, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper. Beat the potatoes with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Stir in the cabbage, crumbled bacon, and parsley until well combined.
• To serve, place a scoop of colcannon onto a plate, make a hollow, and fill with braised beef stew.

IRISH BEEF AND STOUT STEW

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a 5-quart Dutch oven or heavy pot, toss beef with flour; stir in tomato paste. Add potatoes, onions, broth, beer, and garlic; season with salt and pepper. Cover, and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
• Transfer pot to oven, and cook, covered, until meat is fork-tender, 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Stir in peas, and season with salt and pepper.

IRISH STEW WITH LAMB AND GUINNESS

Steps:

• The barley is optional but it makes it even more traditional. Cook it in 3 cups of stock for 20 minutes then add it into the stew when you return the meat to the pot.
• Cut off some of the parsley leaves and chop enough to make 2 tablespoons; reserve. Cut off some parsley stems, and tie them into a bundle with a few sprigs of rosemary and thyme; reserve.
• Season the meat with salt and brown the meat in a little oil. Remove and reserve, and sprinkle with a little flour, shaking off excess. Add the onions, garlic, carrots and celery to the pan and sauté, tossing to coat with the fat. Add the Guinness and deglaze, scraping up any caramelized meat juices. Add the potatoes, return the meat to the pot (and the barley if you're using it). Add enough stock to barely cover, cook over medium heat until just boiling, then reduce heat to very low and simmer 2 - 3 hours, until the meat is tender, stirring occasionally.
• Check seasonings, add salt and pepper to taste, then remove from heat, stir in parsley and the cornstarch (mixed into 4 teaspoons water) and stir. Cook over low heat for a few more minutes to thicken. Serve with plenty of Irish brown or white soda bread, tea and more Guinness if you like.

IRISH LAMB STEW WITH HERBED GOAT CHEESE DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
• Rub the lamb roast all over with olive oil. Make 10 small slits all over the roast. Insert the bacon and garlic cloves into the slits. Season with salt and pepper. Place the roast in a roasting pan and add the stock and cover. Place in the oven and slow roast for 3 hours, or until very, very tender. Remove the lamb from the oven and cut into 2-inch pieces. Set aside.
• In a large pot, add the butter and melt. Stir in the flour and let cook for 3 minutes. Add the onion and saute until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the carrots and the celery and saute for another 10 minutes. Slowly whisk in the stock that the lamb was cooked in. Add the reserved lamb. Bring to a simmer. Season with salt and pepper.
• For the dumplings: In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking soda and salt and mix well. In a small bowl, beat the eggs. Add the milk to the eggs. Add the egg mixture to the dry ingredients and mix well. Stir in the goat cheese and the herbs. Season with freshly ground black pepper. Have the stock boiling in a small saucepan. Using 2 tablespoons, drop the dumpling batter into the boiling stock. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the dumplings float to the surface. Remove the dumplings from the stock and place on a plate.
• To finish: Place the dumplings into the stew. Check for seasoning. Garnish with fresh marjoram.