Would you believe me if I told you that I have never had a homemade beef stew? I probably had some version of it from the can, and it would have been a LONG time ago. And I’m pretty sure that it wasn’t very good. Because when Red kept on suggesting Beef Stew for our meal planning, I have never agreed to it, until recently, about two weeks ago. Just like this Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff, which I ended up loving – and now shows up on a regular basis on our menu rotation. Seriously, the ONLY reason that I was willing to give this a go was because I got to use my slow-cooker. I think we all could use a new slow cooker recipe that works, right?
As a pessimist to the initial idea of Beef Stew (in a slow cooker nonetheless), I was pleasantly surprised at how scrumptious this stew turned out. I normally don’t like getting that bitter beer flavoring that sometimes comes through when you’re cooking with it. But I was very happy to say that I couldn’t taste any of the bitterness. The beef was fork-tender, the veggies were hearty (my first time trying and cooking with parsnips!), all coated in this rich broth that was complex in flavor (a slow cooker surprise!) and was just freaking delicious. This dish also made a big nice batch, that was even better as leftover. The complexity of the flavors continued to develop, while none of the components of the dish (veggies or the meat) disintegrated. I’m now a Beef Stew convert!
Ingredients
4 lbs boneless beef chuck roast, trimmed and cut into 1-1/2-inch chunks
Salt and pepper
2 tbsp vegetable oil
2 onions, chopped about 2 cups
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1-1/2 cups Guinness Draught
1 tbsp light brown sugar
1 tsp dried thyme
1 ounce bittersweet chocolate, chopped (yes, chocolate!)
2 bay leaves
5 carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
1 lb parsnips, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
1-1/2 lbs baby red potatoes (about 24), scrubbed
1/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
2 tbsp minced fresh parsley
Directions
Pat dry the beef cubes with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tsp of oil in a large skillet over medium high heat until just smoking. Cook half of the beef until browned on all sides, about 8 minutes. Transfer to the slow cooker insert and repeat with an additional 2 tsp oil and the remaining beef.
Add the remaining 2 tsp oil, onions and 1/4 tsp salt to the skillet and cook until the onions are lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add the broth, 1-1/4 cups of the beer, sugar, thyme, chocolate, and bay leaves and bring to a boil, using a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits. Transfer to the slow cooker insert.
Add the carrots, parsnips, and potatoes to the slow cooker insert. Cover and cook on low until the meat is tender, about 9-10 hours (or cook on high for 6 to 7 hours, but I have only tried this recipe on low for 10-hrs). Set the slow cooker to high. Whisk the flour and remaining 1/4 cup beer until smooth, then stir the mixture into the slow cooker. Cook, covered, until the sauce thickens about 15 minutes. Remove and discard the bay leaves, stir in the parsley, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve.
Yield: 6-8 servings
Adapted from The Best of American Test Kitchen 2008
How convenient, I have some Guinness in the fridge right now!
Awesome, hope you enjoy it
I absolutely DO need another slow cooker recipe. When you’re right, you’re right. This stew looks marvelous and I love the added bittersweet chocolate. How can you go wrong?
Thanks dear!
I have been struggling to come up with new meal ideas lately, so this couldn’t come at a better time. Can’t wait to try it!!
I know what you mean Tracey, we’re on a meal-rut too! Hopefully you enjoy this.
You gotta love America’s Test Kitchen. They never steer you wrong.
I agree with you!!
Hi, thanks for sharing this recipe. I’m curious about the chocolate – could you explain why it’s there? How does it alter/round out the flavour?
Per the recipe, it adds depth in flavor to give it that rich “beefy stew” flavor without the acidity that you normally gets from using cocoa!
This stew looks rich, hearty, delicious and satisfying! Wonderful job!
Thanks Tia!
This looks so yummy. thanks for sharing
Thanks for the visit and comment
How did you know that I’ve had beef and guiness stew on the brain?! Your rendition looks amazing – no wonder you’re a beef stew convert now!
Guiness, chocolate, stew and slow cooker? Match made in heaven
This stew looks wonderful…
I so need to take out my slowcooker…
Great recipe dear.
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Just out of curiosity, is there a reason why we can’t just throw everything in the slow cooker all at once? Anyone know what happens if you do? Thanks!
I think it would cook fine, but browning the cubed meat and sauteing the onions add complexity and depth in the flavor.
Browning the meat first makes the meat more tender and juicy!
I plan on making this stew this week- it looks delicious! Out of curiosity, can you tell my why you used chicken broth rather than beef?
Great, let me know how it turns out! Good question – I didn’t even think about the broth type. The recipe calls for chicken broth, and I went back to check if they had any explanations on why they used chicken instead of beef broth – and there was none. My guess is that you can easily substitute the chicken for beef broth in this recipe. Chicken broth may just be more readily available in most pantries.
I bought all the ingredients today, and plan on making this as soon as my slow cooker is available from the pulled pork I made in it.
This stew looks soooo good!! And I have Guinness in my frig, so it’s like it was calling to me!!
It smells DELISH…it’s in the crock pot, neighbors are invited,free to spend a nice afternoon with the hubby and anticipate a hearty meal
Oh awesome! Enjoy your dinner, I hope you like the stew!
see above
Tried this last night and sorry to say it didn’t impress. I had high hopes because the sauce that you put in at the beginning was rich and full of flavor. However, what happened to me was that after cooking for 10 hours, with the crockpot lid closed, it created more liquid, thereby diluting the richness of the flavors. Maybe I can cook it a different way, like on the stovetop, so that the sauce is preserved. I will say that the sauce was super good with the guinness and the chocolate. Who would have thought?
What a bummer!
But I can see that the additional condensation on the lid will dilute the sauce. Was it super soupy then? When I made mine, I think I pulled it after around 9-hrs. Thanks for sharing!
It was more like a soup. Like I said I may try a stovetop version cause I was pretty impressed that chocolate would be so good in a savory meal. I might try the shorter cooking time but I went to work so it was in there a good 10 hours.
Hi Dianne, yes, I was also impressed to see how chocolate enhanced the complexity and depth of flavors for the stew. When you do try the stovetop version, let me know!
[...] Slightly adapted from Blissfully Delicious Advertisement GA_googleAddAttr("AdOpt", "1"); GA_googleAddAttr("Origin", "other"); [...]
[...] and both of us said, we’ve never made beef stew! Therefore when stumbling upon this recipe on Blissfully Delicious we couldn’t say no! It helped that it was made with beer, what could be [...]
I just walked in the door and my house smells delicious! Got this stew going around 8:30 this a.m. and it was ready by 4:30. I had a little taste and am sold!!! Delicious!!! Thank you so much for sharing!
What size slow cooker should I use? I have a 6 quart which filled up to more than 3/4 with the recipe and I got nervous about the stew cooking over. It’s now in my fridge and I might just try this in the stove.
6-quart! Sorry for the delay in response!
[...] Recipe adapted from: Blissfully Delicious [...]
thank you so much. I have been looking for an Irish stew recipe, but unfortunatly I already bout my corned beef for st patties day. But I am certain there will be guiness left so I can make this next week. Bless your heart.
Hi Diane, thank you so much! Let me know how you enjoy this!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day 
This looks amazing! We have plans for St. Patty’s dinner, but it’s supposed to storm all weekend. What else to do with the leftover Guinness and chuck we have? Excited to make it…
Awesome Erin, let me know how you like the recipe!
[...] used this recipe from the blog Blissfully Delicious, found via Pinterest. I had a moment of panic this morning as I [...]
I made this today to enjoy with my husband when he got home from
work. He ate it in silence then told me it just might be the best dish I’ve
ever made!! I’d have to agree with him! It’s AMAZING! I will admit I did add another 1/4 cup Guinness at the end and additional flour & it blended
perfectly! Thanks again!
Glad you and your hubby approved this recipe Leah! And thanks for sharing your modifications
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Hi! This looks great! I am featuring it in a slow cooker collection here http://mommyssweetconfessions.blogspot.com/2012/12/34-slow-cooker-soups-stews-and-chilis.html
[...] Semi Homemade Mom’s Crock Pot Loaded Baked Potato Soup Blissfully Delicious’ Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew [...]
This was my first beef stew… and it was delicious!!!
Thanks for posting!!
I am so excited to try this! I love Guinness and stew so much! I just got it all made and it’s sitting in the crock right now, hope it’s as good as it sounds, looks and as everyone else says!
Thank you for sharing this!
[...] beef stew into the slow cooker (I used 1/2 venison and 1/2 beef for more flavor depth), and used a recipe I found through Pinterest. It includes Guinness, which is enough to get me to try it! I LOVE [...]
This was great! I tried the 6-7 hour version and it was perfect.
what is Guinness Draught
[...] blissfullydelicious.com via Manda on Pinterest Source: thehooteats.wordpress.com via Manda on [...]
I’m making this now, for the second time. By far THE most delicious stew I have ever had. And I hear that from everyone who tries it! I add a beef bouillon cube to give it an even more beefy flavor, and today I added celery, so I’ll see how that goes. Thanks so much for the recipe!
Is bittersweet chocolate the same as unsweetened chocolate?