"The maltiness of dark beer really does amazing things for this gravy.
It's a very simple dish, but at the same time it has a deep, complex, rich flavor. I served this in a nice ring of green onion-mashed potatoes. I hope you give this a try, whether for St. Patrick's Day or anytime of the year."
When it comes to comfort food nothing can beat Guinness Beef Stew. This amazingly flavorful and rich stew is an Irish classic that your family will love.
Method for Beef and Guinness Stew
- 1Cook and stir bacon in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat until bacon is browned and crisp, 3 to 4 minutes. Turn off heat and transfer bacon into a large stew pot, reserving bacon fat in the skillet.
- 2Season beef chuck cubes generously with 1 teaspoon salt and black pepper to taste. Turn heat to high under skillet and sear beef pieces in the hot fat on both sides until browned, about 5 minutes. Place beef in stew pot with bacon, leaving fat in skillet. Turn heat down to medium; cook and stir onions in the retained fat in the skillet until lightly browned, 5 to 8 minutes; season with a large pinch of salt.
- 3Cook garlic with onions until soft, about 1 minute; pour beer into skillet and stir with a wooden spoon, scraping up and dissolving any browned bits of food into the liquid. Pour cooking liquid from skillet into the stew pot. Stir in tomato paste, thyme sprigs, carrots, celery, sugar, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and enough chicken broth to cover.
- 4Bring stew to a gentle simmer, stirring to combine; reduce heat to low and cover pot. Simmer stew until beef is fork-tender, about 2 hours. Stir stew occasionally and skim fat or foam if desired.
- 5Remove cover and raise heat to medium-high. Bring stew to a low boil and cook until stew has slightly thickened, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove and discard thyme sprigs and adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- 6Arrange mashed potatoes in a ring in a serving bowl; ladle stew into the center of the potatoes.
Ingredients
- 4 slices bacon, cut into small pieces
- 2 1/2 pounds boneless beef chuck, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 teaspoon salt, or more to taste
- freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 onions, coarsely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14.9 ounce) can dark beer (such as Guinness®)
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 3 carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 stalks celery, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 teaspoon white sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
- 2 1/2 cups chicken stock, or as needed to cover
- 4 cups mashed potatoes (optional)
April 05, 2017
