This Crock Pot Lager & Bean Stew is slow-cooked comfort at its finest — simple ingredients, bold flavor, and the smooth malty backbone of your favorite lager bringing it all together.

Loaded with beans, veggies, herbs, and a splash of beer, this stew is perfect for cold nights, meal prep, or any time you want big flavor with minimal effort.

Vegetarian-friendly or easy to bulk up with sausage, bacon, or leftover roast — this recipe flexes to fit your vibe.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1½ cups dried white beans (or 2 cans, drained and rinsed)
• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 12 oz lager (Vienna lager, helles, or golden ale)
• 3 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth for non-veg)
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: 1 small smoked sausage or chopped bacon for added richness
• Optional: 1 tbsp tomato paste or hot sauce for depth or heat
• Optional garnish: chopped parsley, grated Parmesan, olive oil drizzle

Beer Tip: Choose a smooth, low-hop beer — lagers, golden ales, or amber ales are ideal. Skip bitter IPAs.

Instructions

Step 1: Sauté Base (Optional but Flavor-Boosting)

• Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
• Sauté onion, carrots, and celery for 5–7 minutes until soft and fragrant.
• Add garlic and cook for another minute.
• Transfer to slow cooker.

Shortcut: You can skip the sauté and add all veggies raw — the slow cooker will do the work, just with a little less depth.

Step 2: Load the Crock Pot

Add all remaining ingredients to the slow cooker: beans, tomatoes, beer, broth, herbs, and seasonings.

Stir to combine. Add sausage or bacon if using.

Step 3: Cook Low & Slow

Cover and cook on LOW for 7–8 hours or HIGH for 4–5 hours, until beans are tender and flavors meld.

If using canned beans, reduce broth by 1 cup and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours.

Remove bay leaf before serving. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.

Step 4: Garnish & Serve

Ladle into bowls and top with fresh parsley, a drizzle of olive oil, or Parmesan.

Serve with crusty bread, beer cornbread, or over rice or polenta.

Serving Suggestions

• With Bread:
  • Beer bread or sourdough toast
  • Garlic knots or pretzel rolls
• As a Side or Pairing:
  • Grilled sausage or roasted veggies
  • Sharp cheddar or beer cheese spread
• Make It a Meal:
  • Add greens (spinach, kale) at the end
  • Stir in a spoonful of pesto or hot sauce before serving

Beer Pairing

• In the stew:
  • Vienna lager or Märzen
  • Blonde ale or golden ale
• In your glass:
  • Same lager used to cook
  • Malty brown ale for richness
  • Crisp pilsner to cut through the creamy beans

Final Thoughts

Crock Pot Lager & Bean Stew is easy, filling, and deeply satisfying — proof that you don’t need fancy ingredients to get big, beer-friendly flavor.

Let it simmer all day, then dig into a bowl that tastes like your kitchen’s been working overtime (even if you haven’t).

Cheers to slow cooking with good beer and better results! 🍺

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