• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Gitta's Kitchen
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Supper
    • Salads
    • Sides
    • Breakfast
    • Dessert
    • Seasonal
      • Holidays
      • Thanksgiving
  • About me!
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Resources
  • About
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Resources
    • About
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Supper

    Easy Irish Beef Stew Recipe-Perfect on a Cold Day

    Published: Mar 13, 2019 · Modified: Mar 13, 2022 by Gitta Grether-Sweeney · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe
    Irish beef stew in a white bowl with two puff pastry shamrocks

    This Irish Beef Stew is made with a delicious combination of tender pieces of beef, creamy potatoes, and slightly sweet carrots. Tarragon and stout beer give it a wonderful hearty flavor. Make this stew to celebrate St. Patrick's Day or for a cozy, filling meal on a cold winter evening.

    Top view of Irish Stew with 2 puff pasty clover in a white bowl.

    St. Patrick's Day is around the corner, and it is time to plan our traditional family meal; Irish Stew and Irish Soda Bread. My husband is half Irish, so I honor his heritage by making this meal on St. Patrick's Day. The stew is also perfect for eating anytime during the winter because it warms you up on a cold day. 

    Jump to:
    • Is this an Authentic Irish Beef Stew Recipe?
    • Ingredients for Irish Beef Stew
    • Two Essential Ingredients
    • How to make the stew
    • Puff Pastry Shamrocks
    • How to make Puff Pastry Shamrocks
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Irish Stew Leftovers
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Is this an Authentic Irish Beef Stew Recipe?

    I often wonder if the stew I make is authentic. When I visited Ireland, I discovered that my fears were unfounded. I ate several types of stew in Dublin, and they tasted similar to this recipe. Whew! 

    The tarragon is what gives it the distinctive Irish Stew taste. My favorite stew in Dublin was at The Hairy Lemon. It was served with brown bread, a dense, slightly sweet bread, and an excellent accompaniment to the meal.   The creamy Irish butter was perfect on the brown bread.

    Irish stew in a blue rimmed rectangle bowl, on a white plate with a spoon and slice of brown bread
    Irish Stew at The Hairy Lemon

    Ingredients for Irish Beef Stew

    Beef, onions, potatoes, beer, broth, carrots and spices for Irish beef stew
    1. Beef- The Irish use lamb to make stew. However, I prefer making it with beef because it is less expensive and I am not a fan of lamb. The stew is amazing without the lamb.   If you like lamb, you can make it with lamb or use a combination of lamb and beef to keep the price reasonable. Note: The recipe calls for sirloin beef. However, I also make it with stew meat (chuck). If you use stew meat you will need to cook the stew an additional hour. Therefore, cook the stew for 1 ½ hours before adding the carrots, potatoes, and tarragon.
    2. Carrots-sliced raw carrots are the best for this stew. Note: You do not need to peel the carrots just be sure to wash them. You could use frozen sliced carrots however I feel fresh carrots taste better.
    3. Potatoes-I recommend using yellow boiling potatoes. Yukon Gold potatoes are delicious in this recipe.
    4. Beef broth-I recommend using beef broth that comes in a box. My favorite brand is Pacific Foods.
    5. Onions & Garlic-add deliscous flavor to the stew.

    Two Essential Ingredients

    Tarragon and Stout Beer are the two key ingredients in this recipe.

    1. Tarragon-this dried herb is essential for this dish. It gives the stew a classic taste. If you (like me) are not a fan of tarragon, use half the amount and taste the stew. If you like the taste and the entire amount. However, do not leave it out of the recipe because it gives the stew a unique and delicious flavor.
    2. Stout beer-I recommend using Guinness Stout beer. It is a dark Irish stout that originates from the famous Guinness brewery in Ireland-. It is an essential ingredient in this stew.

    How to make the stew

    Beef cubes browning in pan
    Step 1
    Brown beef, onions and bay leaf
    Step 2
    Beef stew with potatoes and carrots
    Step 3
    Slurry for stew
    Step 4
    Stew with tarragon, carrots and potatoes
    Step 5
    1. Brown beef cubes in oil. PRO TIP: Be sure to get a nice brown sear on the meat. This adds deliscous flavor.
    2. Add onions, garlic, bay leaf, beef broth, stout beer, salt, pepper, and water. Simmer 30 minutes.
    3. Add carrots, potatoes and tarragon, cover and simmer 30 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.
    4. Make a slurry by combining the water and flour. PRO TIP: Be sure to whisk (affiliate link) the water and flour until it is smooth to prevent a lumpy gravy.
    5. Add slurry to the stew. Cook about 5 minutes or until the stew has thickened.
    Finished Irish stew in round white bowl on a round white plate with two cloverleaf puff pastry.  Can see beef, potatoes and carrots in stew.

    Serve the stew in your favorite soup bowls! Tell your smart speaker to play traditional Irish folk music and imagine being in Ireland in an Irish pub. Enjoy!

    Puff Pastry Shamrocks

    On St. Patrick's Day, I make Shamrocks from puff pastry to top off the stew.   I purchase store-bought puff pastry, cut out shamrocks and bake them. My boys love the flaky texture of the pastry.   They look cute on top of the stew, and they are the perfect finishing touch on St. Patrick's Day. 

    How to make Puff Pastry Shamrocks

    Cutting out puff pastry shamrocks
    Step 1
    Puff pastry shamrocks on sheet pan
    Step 2
    Baked puff pastry shamrocks
    Step 3
    1. Cut out puff pastry with a 3" shamrock cookie cutter.
    2. Place shamrocks on the cookie sheet.
    3. Bake at 400°F oven for about 5-8 minutes until lightly browned.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can a different beef be substituted for the Guinness Stout?

    Any dark beer works in the recipe. Avoid using a light-colored beer because it won't add the same level of flavor.

    Do the potatoes have to be peeled?

    It is not necessary to peel yellow or Yukon Gold potatoes.

    Can this recipe be made in a slow cooker?

    Yes, be sure to brown the meat and saute the onions before placing them in the slow cooker.

    How can I use leftover tarragon?

    Tarragon is delicious in a chicken salad, or sauce served with chicken. It is also a delicious salad dressing made with white wine vinegar (3 tablespoons), olive oil (½ cup), and Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon).

    Can I substitute chicken broth for beef broth?

    Yes, you can substitute chicken broth for beef broth in a pinch.

    Would baking potatoes work in this recipe?

    No, baking potatoes would fall apart during cooking. Be sure to use boiling potatoes.

    Irish Stew Leftovers

    Storing tips

    Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The stew can also be frozen for up to one month.

    Reheating leftovers

    Heat leftovers in the microwave, in a saucepan on the stove, or a casserole dish in the oven. Heat to 165°F.

    Click to Pin this for later.

    I hope you try this recipe! Please rate it and comment below. I love hearing from you! ❤️

    Print

    📋 Recipe

    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
    Irish beef stew

    Easy Irish Beef Stew

    ★★★★★ 5 from 1 reviews
    • Author: Gitta Grether-Sweeney
    • Prep Time: 15 minutes
    • Cook Time: 75 minutes
    • Total Time: 90 minutes
    • Yield: 6 people 1x
    • Category: Main Course
    • Cuisine: Irish
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    Irish beef stew with tender pieces of meat, creamy potatoes, and sweet carrots flavored with tarragon and stout beer. A family favorite!


    Ingredients

    Units Scale

    Stew

    • 2 pounds beef sirloin, boneless, lean, cut into 1-inch cubes
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 ¾ cups onions, diced
    • 1 clove garlic, minced
    • 2 each bay leaves
    • 8 ounces beef broth
    • ¾ cup Guinness Stout beer
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 cup water
    • 1 cup sliced (¼ inch) carrots
    • ½ pound yellow potatoes, cut into ¾ inch cubes
    • 1-2 teaspoons dried tarragon
    • 2 tablespoons flour, all-purpose
    • 4 tablespoons water

    Puff Pastry Shamrocks

    • ½ package frozen puff pastry, thawed

    Instructions

    Irish Beef Stew

    1. Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat.  Add cubed meat and brown meat on all sides.  You might have to do this in two batches.  
    2. Add the onion, garlic, bay leaves, beef broth, stout beer, salt, pepper, and water.  Bring to a boil.  Cover.  Lower the heat so the mixture is simmering.  Cook for about 30 minutes.
    3. Add carrots, potatoes, and tarragon.  Cover and simmer for 30 minutes.  Remove the bay leaves.  
    4. Combine the flour and 4 tablespoons water.  Stir the mixture until there are no lumps.  Add the mixture slowly to the stew stirring constantly.  
    5. Cook for about 5 minutes until the stew is thick.  

    Shamrock Shaped Puff Pastry

    1. Preheat oven to 400° F.
    2. Thaw the pastry dough according to the instructions on the package.
    3. Using a shamrock cookie cutter, cut out shamrocks and place them on an ungreased cookie sheet.  I used a 3" cookie cutter but you can also use a 5".  If you do not have a shamrock cookie cutter,  cut out other shapes or use a biscuit cutter and cut out circles.  
    4. Bake about 5-8 minutes until lightly brown.  
    5. Spoon stew into bowls and top with the shamrock puff pastry.  

    Notes

    This recipe is adapted from a Southern Living recipe.  

    *Nutrition Disclaimer

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1 cup
    • Calories: 554
    • Sugar: 9.1 g
    • Sodium: 2662.3 mg
    • Fat: 15.6 g
    • Carbohydrates: 57.7 g
    • Protein: 44.5 g
    • Cholesterol: 100 mg

    Keywords: Irish beef stew, beef stew

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @gittas_kitchen on Instagram and hashtag it #gittas_kitchen

    More Main Dish Recipes

    • How to make Juicy, Crispy Chicken Schnitzel with Panko Crumbs Recipe
    • Easy Sheet Pan Chicken Dinner with Italian Spices
    • Easy Tomato Soup Recipe
    • The Best White Chicken Chili Ever

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Did you make this recipe? Let me know! Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. https://waterfallmagazine.com

      July 20, 2020 at 1:49 am

      https://waterfallmagazine.com
      Howdy just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you know a few of the images aren't loading correctly.
      I'm not sure why but I think its a linking
      issue. I've tried it in two different browsers
      and both show the same outcome.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Gitta

        July 23, 2020 at 3:52 pm

        Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it. Can you please tell me which image is not loading correctly? Is it in the Irish Beef Stew post? Thanks!

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Picture of Gitta

    Welcome to my food blog! My goal is to inspire you to prepare delicious meals for your family by sharing simple and healthier recipes. Step-by-step instructions are included to ensure that you are successful. Join me in my kitchen, and let's start cooking!

    More about me →

    Cozy Winter Meals

    • How to make the Best Austrian Beef Goulash-Easy
      ★★★★★
      Cook Time3 hours
    • Easy Sheet Pan Chicken Dinner with Italian Spices
      ★★★★★
      Cook Time55 minutes
    • Fast Roasted Chicken
      Cook Time45 minutes

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions

    Newsletter

    • Subscribe to the Newsletter

    Contact

    • About & Contact Information

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Gitta's Kitchen