This Crock Pot Guinness Beef Stew is the ultimate comfort dish — tender chunks of beef simmered low and slow in a rich, malty stout with carrots, potatoes, onions, and herbs.

Guinness gives the broth deep, roasted character that sets it apart from your standard stew.

It’s hearty, warming, and perfect for feeding a crowd, meal prepping, or just letting your slow cooker do the heavy lifting.

Ingredients

• 2½–3 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1½” cubes
• Salt & black pepper
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp olive oil (optional, for browning)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 carrots, sliced
• 3–4 Yukon gold potatoes, chopped
• 1 (14.9 oz) can Guinness Draught (or any dry Irish stout)
• 2 cups beef broth
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• 2 bay leaves
• Optional: 1 tbsp brown sugar (to balance the stout’s bitterness)
• Optional garnish: fresh parsley

Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Beef

• Season beef with salt, pepper, and flour. Toss to coat.
• Optional: Sear beef in a hot skillet with olive oil for 2–3 minutes per side until browned. Transfer to Crock Pot.

Shortcut: Skip the browning step to save time — the stew will still be rich and flavorful thanks to the long cook and Guinness base.

Step 2: Load the Crock Pot

• Add garlic, onion, carrots, and potatoes to the Crock Pot.
• Add the beef on top.
• In a bowl, whisk together Guinness, broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, herbs, and brown sugar (if using).
• Pour over everything. Tuck in bay leaves.

Step 3: Cook Low & Slow

Cover and cook on LOW for 8–9 hours or HIGH for 4–5 hours, until the beef is fall-apart tender and the vegetables are soft but not mushy.

Step 4: Finish & Serve

Remove bay leaves. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
For a thicker stew, mash a few potatoes into the broth or whisk in a cornstarch slurry.

Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley and crusty bread on the side.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve With:
  • Buttered Irish soda bread
  • Mashed potatoes or colcannon
  • Guinness beer cheese biscuits
• Top With:
  • Fresh herbs
  • Sharp cheddar
  • A drizzle of stout reduction

Beer Pairing

• In the pot:
  • Guinness Draught
  • Murphy’s Stout
  • Any dry Irish stout
• In your glass:
  • The same stout you cooked with
  • Irish red ale for malty contrast
  • Cream ale or porter for smooth sipping

Final Thoughts

Crock Pot Guinness Beef Stew is rich, soulful, and slow-cooked perfection in a bowl.
It’s the kind of meal that makes your kitchen smell amazing all day, fills your belly like a hug, and pairs beautifully with a cold pint of stout.

Cheers to beer in your stew and in your glass! 🍺🥘🇮🇪

🍺 Alternatives to Guinness

No Guinness? No problem. These stouts and porters bring similar depth — and sometimes even more character — to your kitchen.

While Guinness is the go-to for beer-based cooking, you’ve got plenty of bold, flavorful alternatives that work just as well — and in some cases, even better — depending on the dish. If you’re looking to experiment or just need a stand-in, here are three of the best:

1. Samuel Smith’s Organic Chocolate Stout

Flavor profile: Roasty, sweet, velvety

Best used in:

• Brownies
• Chocolate layer cakes
• Dessert sauces
• Braised short ribs

This one’s a dessert powerhouse — the chocolate is prominent but balanced, and the mouthfeel adds richness to both sweet and savory dishes.

2. Murphy’s Irish Stout

Flavor profile: Smooth, creamy, with a softer roast than Guinness

Best used in:

• Irish stew
• Beer bread
• Onion gravy
• Cream-based sauces

It’s the closest stylistic match to Guinness — just lighter and slightly less bitter. A great pick for traditional Irish recipes or dishes where you don’t want the beer to dominate.

3. Founders Breakfast Stout

Flavor profile: Deep roast, coffee, dark chocolate

Best used in:

• Ice cream or affogato
• Tiramisu
• Chocolate cake batters
• Braised beef or short ribs

These are bolder than Guinness — darker, heavier, and more intense. Perfect when you want the beer to be felt in the flavor, not just as a background note.

Pro tip: If you’re using these in recipes that were designed for Guinness, reduce just a touch more to concentrate the flavor — these alternatives tend to bring slightly more body and richness to the pan or batter.

🍺 Explore More Guinness Recipes

From hearty mains and pub-style snacks to rich chocolate desserts and creamy floats — these Guinness-infused recipes show off the bold magic of stout in the kitchen. Whether you’re cooking for a cozy night in or hosting a feast, there’s a Guinness recipe for it.

🥩 Guinness Beef Stew – Slow-cooked, hearty, and loaded with stout flavor.
🍖 Guinness Braised Short Ribs – Fall-apart tender ribs with a deep Guinness reduction.
🐔 Guinness Chicken Pot Pie – Creamy filling, flaky crust, and a splash of stout.
🍞 Guinness Beer Bread – Quick, dense, and slightly sweet with a malty twist.
🍔 Guinness BBQ Burgers – Juicy patties with smoky Guinness-spiked BBQ sauce.
🧀 Guinness Mac & Cheese – Ultra-creamy cheddar sauce with a hint of stout.
🍫 Guinness Chocolate Cake – Deep, rich chocolate layered with malty undertones.
🧁 Guinness Cupcakes with Irish Cream Frosting – Mini cakes with a boozy frosting twist.
🍨 Guinness Floats – Creamy vanilla ice cream meets bold stout fizz.
🍮 Guinness Chocolate Crème Brûlée – Silky, dark custard with a crackly caramel top.
🥓 Guinness Glazed Bacon – Sweet, sticky, and irresistibly crispy.
🥧 Guinness Shepherd’s Pie – Comfort food leveled up with a stout-simmered filling.
🔥 Guinness BBQ Sauce – Sweet, smoky, and perfect on just about anything grilled.
🍫 Guinness Brownies – Fudgy brownies with a dark, malty richness.
🥣 Guinness Beer Cheese Soup – Warm, cheesy, and full of Guinness depth.

Explore Our Top Cooking-with-Beer Recipes 🍺 🍺

From crispy beer-battered classics to bold mains, cheesy dips, breads, and even desserts — these roundups bring together the best of beer-infused cooking. Whether you’re hosting a game day, planning a backyard BBQ, or just experimenting in the kitchen, there’s a beer recipe collection for every craving.

• 🍽️ Cooking with Beer (Main Hub) – Your ultimate guide to cooking with beer, from mains to apps and desserts.
• 🥨 Beer-Battered Appetizers and Sides – – Crispy onion rings, fried pickles, mushrooms, zucchini, & more pub-style favorites with a golden beer crunch.
• 🍞 Beer Bread Recipes – From 2-ingredient quick breads to jalapeño cheese loaves.
• 🧀 Beer Cheese & Dips – Beer cheese soup, queso, nachos, ranch dip & more.
• 🍖 Beer Can Chicken & Grilled Mains – Bold, juicy recipes straight from the grill.
• 🌶️ Beer Infused Chili’s – Hearty, bold, and slow-simmered beer-infused chili.
• 🍻 Beer Mac & Cheese – Creamy, quick& easy, made to impress.
• 🍰 Beer-Infused Desserts & Sweets – Sweet treats made better with beer.
• 🎉 Oktoberfest & Seasonal Ideas – Perfect pairings for parties, fall feasts, and festive gatherings.