Whipping up a traditional Irish Guinness stew recipe is a must in our house for St. Patrick’s Day. But honestly, this recipe is so simple and flavorful, we make it all year round. It’s a great one-dish dinner that’s ideal for feeding a large group and also yields lovely leftovers which taste even better the next day.
The exact ingredients in an Irish stew can vary, but a classic recipe will usually include lamb or mutton, potatoes, onions and carrots. Some recipes add leeks, barley or will swap out the lamb for beef. Regardless of the exact combination, this hearty stew is a real crowd-pleaser.
How to Make Irish Guinness Stew
Ingredients
- 2 pounds lamb, cut into cubes
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound carrots, sliced
- 2 medium onions, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1-1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 can (12 ounces) Guinness stout
- 6 medium potatoes, cut into cubes
- 4 bay leaves
- 2 fresh thyme sprigs
- 2 fresh rosemary sprigs
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1-1/2 teaspoons pepper
Step 1: Brown Your Meat
The first thing you’ll want to do is preheat your oven to 325°. Heat your oil and butter in an ovenproof Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once it’s nice and hot, add your lamb and cook (in batches) until it develops a lovely, rich brown color. Put it off to the side, cover and keep warm.
Step 2: Sauté Your Veg and Assemble
Put your carrots and onions in the Dutch oven and sauté them in all those lovely lamb drippings until the vegetables soften and become nice and tender. Add the garlic and cook for another minute or so, then slowly pour in your chicken broth and Guinness. Now it’s time to get your lamb back in the mix, along with the potatoes, herbs, salt and pepper. Give it a good stir.
Pro Tip: Add a small pinch of sugar to the mix to help balance out the bold flavors of Guinness.
Step 3: Into the Oven
Once assembled, cover with a lid and pop your Dutch oven into your oven. Let it bake away for about 1 ½ to 2 hours. Be sure to check on your stew every half hour or so and give it a gentle stir. The waiting can be tough! Once the gorgeous smells start filling your home, you may be tempted to rush things, but just let it simmer until the liquid thickens.
Pro Tip: If your stew is taking a long time to thicken, you can add some gravy granules to speed things along.
While it’s a fantastic alternative to corned beef and cabbage for St. Paddy’s Day, this mouth-watering stew is wonderful comfort food regardless of the season.
Feeling inspired? Check out our collection of fantastic St. Patrick’s Day dinner recipes.
Find More Hearty Traditional Irish Recipes
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Camille Berry