Original Hearty Beef Stew with Guinness (Irish-Style Comfort Stew)

Rich and hearty beef stew made with Guinness beer, slow-cooked chuck roast, smoky bacon, onions, and potatoes. Deeply flavorful comfort food perfect for cold days and cozy dinners.

There are beef stews… and then there are the kind that make everyone at the table pause after the first bite. This Rich & Hearty Beef Stew is one of my absolute favorites. I first made it on a cold night when I wanted something deeply comforting, but a little more special than a traditional pot of stew. My secret ingredient is a splash of Guinness. It adds a subtle depth, while bacon and tomato paste build a rich, savory base that slowly transforms as it simmers. This isn’t a rushed recipe and it shouldn’t be. The long, gentle cooking is what allows all those flavors to come together. The Guinness cooks down completely, leaving no trace of alcohol behind, just a deep, full-bodied richness that takes this stew to another level. Honestly, it’s one of the best beef stews I’ve ever made. I served it over a bed of hearty mashed potatoes (even though there are potatoes in the stew), and that combination was pure comfort food heaven. Add a loaf of crusty bread or a slice of cornbread on the side, and you’ve got a memorable meal you’ll want to make again and again.

Perfect for cold winter nights, fall evenings, St. Patrick’s Day or really, any time you’re craving something warm, satisfying, and made with care.

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Perfect Mashed Potatoes Easy Irish Soda Bread Rich & Fudgy Guinness Brownies (Easy St. Patrick’s Day Dessert) Easy Pistachio Ice Cream Dessert

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Rich, deep flavor from Guinness, bacon, and tomato paste
• Fork-tender beef from slow cooking a boneless chuck roast
• Elevated comfort food that feels special but not fussy
• Perfect for entertaining or Sunday supper
• Even better the next day, ideal for leftovers

This stew takes a classic beef stew and elevates it in every way.

What You’ll Need to make this Rich, Hearty Beef Stew

(Be sure to see the full printable recipe below this post.)

• bacon
• Boneless beef chuck roast
• Salt
• Black pepper, divided
• Yellow sweet onions
• Minced garlic
• Guinness beer
• Tomato paste
• All purpose-flour
• Chicken stock
• Carrots
• Celery
• Yukon Gold potatoes
• fresh thyme
• Bay leaves
• White granulated sugar

Optional for serving: Mashed potatoes, crusty bread, or cornbread Check out my recipe for perfect mashed potatoes here Perfect Mashed Potatoes

How to Make Rich & Hearty (Made with Guinness) Beef Stew

1. Cook the Bacon In a large Dutch oven or heavy pot, cook the bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Leave the bacon drippings in the pot. 2. Season & Brown the Beef Season the beef with 1 teaspoon of the salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Brown the beef in batches in the bacon drippings, adding a tablespoon of oil if needed. Do not crowd the pan.

Remove browned beef and drain briefly on paper towels. 3. Sauté the Onions, Celery & Garlic If needed add a tablespoon or two of vegetable oil or olive oil to the pot to sauté the onions & garlic. Sauté the onions and celery until softened and lightly golden. Add the garlic and cook about 30 seconds, just until fragrant. 4. Build the Stew Return the bacon and beef to the pot.

Pour in the Guinness.

Stir together the tomato paste and flour, then add it to the pot, stirring well. 5. Add Liquids & Seasonings Add the chicken stock, sugar, thyme sprigs, and bay leaves. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low and cover.

6. Slow Simmer (This Is the Key) Simmer low and slow for 2½ to 3 hours or maybe longer, stirring occasionally, until the beef is deeply tender. This is where the Guinness does its work. You’re not rushing it or “chasing” the beer flavor. The alcohol gently cooks off over time, leaving behind a rich, savory depth that makes this stew so special. 7. Add Carrots & Celery Once the beef is fork-tender, add the carrots and celery. Simmer uncovered for 30–45 minutes, until vegetables are tender but not mushy. 8. Add Potatoes Last Add the potatoes and cook 20–30 minutes, until fork-tender. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Remove thyme stems and bay leaves before serving. Cooking Time Notes Plan on 4 1/2 -5 hours total from start to finish. This is a slow-simmered stew, and every bit of that time builds flavor. You will not taste alcohol, only a rich, hearty stew with incredible depth.

Tips for the Best Beef Stew

• Use boneless chuck roast. I’ve used pre-cut stew meat and whole chuck roast, cutting up the chuck yourself is worth it. The texture and flavor are far superior.
• Garlic shortcut is fine. I often use jarred minced garlic. It saves time and works beautifully here.
• Vidalia or yellow onions both work. Use what you have or what’s in season.
• Make it ahead. This stew is even better the next day.

Serving & Entertaining Ideas

• Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day
• Cozy for cold winter nights
• Wonderful for fall dinners or Sunday suppers
• Surprisingly comforting any time of year

Serve it:

• Over mashed potatoes for a shepherd’s-pie-style twist. It’s so good this way. I lined about a cup and a half of fresh homemade mashed potatoes on a plate. Ladled a heaping cup of this delicious hot pippin beef stew over the mashed potatoes. Talk about delicious, oh my, never tasted anything so good and comforting. Check out my recipe for perfect mashed potatoes here Perfect Mashed Potatoes
• With crusty bread to soak up every drop
• With cornbread for a Southern touch
• Garnished with a sprig of fresh thyme for a beautiful finish

This is the kind of meal you can’t find in a restaurant. It belongs at home, shared with people you love.

Storage & Leftovers

• Store in the refrigerator up to 4 days
• Flavors deepen beautifully overnight
• Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave

This Rich & Hearty Guinness Beef Stew is bold, comforting, and deeply satisfying. The kind of dish that becomes part of your regular rotation. It’s a memorable meal, one you’ll find yourself making again and again. And yes, it’s going to be very good. 🍲🍀 Thank you for stopping by. I’ll be back soon with more delicious recipes. Check out these recipes. I know you’ll love them too! Best Homemade Vegetable Beef Soup The Best Chili Ever Easy Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup Loaded Baked Potato Soup Southern Buttermilk Cornbread Perfect Mashed Potatoes Mississippi Pot Roast Be sure to leave a comment below if you have any questions about the recipes. I would love to hear from you and if you make it, be sure to use #deliciouslysouthern and let me know how you like it. Lastly, please follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. Click here to purchase an autographed copy of my cookbook “Deliciously Southern “. It features over 370 delicious Southern recipes!Deliciously Southern (Autographed Edition) [caption id="attachment_10973" align="alignnone" width="539"]

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