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    Home > Slow Cooked

    Beef and Guinness Stew with Crispy Onions

    Published: Sep 21, 2018 · Modified: Aug 15, 2023 by Nicky Corbishley

    Go to Recipe Print Recipe
    Bowl of beef and Guiness Stew with mashed potatoes and green cabbage

    Stick-to-your-ribs comfort food for a cold, rainy day, this slow cooked Beef and Guinness Stew with Crispy Onions is perfect!
    Bowl of beef and Guinness Stew with mashed potatoes and green cabbage
    This recipe was sponsored by CrockPot.

    Fluffy jumpers, thick socks, a blanket on the sofa, listening to the rain at night when you're tucked up cosy in bed, and slow-cooked, make-your-kitchen-smell-amazing dinners.

    Yeah, I'm so ready for Autumn.

    To be fair, I could eat a casserole in the middle of Summer (have you seen my summer casserole? yes, it really is a thing), but this hearty Guinness casserole, with thick, rich gravy and fall apart beef, all serve up with mashed potatoes and buttered greens is definitely winter food.

    Crockpot with beef stew. Onions, Guinness and cabbage on the table.

    Oh, and not forgetting the topping of crispy onions:

    Plate of crispy fried onions

    It doesn't need them, but whenever I make them, I always vow that I'll make them for every casserole and soup forevermore.

    They're a simple mix of thinly sliced onions, plain (all purpose) flour, salt, pepper, garlic salt and paprika which are fried in hot oil.

    Onions in a bowl with flour, salt, pepper and paprika

    Coming back to the stew itself. This is a big batch recipe - for 8 people.

    It freezes well, so you can eat some and freeze a batch for quick midweek meal.

    First toss the beef in flour and seasoning, sear on the sear setting. Then add the onions:

    Crockpot filled with seared beef and onions

    Next add mushrooms and carrots:

    Seared beef, onions carrots and mushrooms in a crockpot

    Then add garlic, Guinness, stock, tomato puree/paste, bay leaves, dark brown sugar, salt and pepper and place a lid on and cook for 4-7 hours (depending on setting). Easy as that!

    Crockpot filled with Beef and Guinness stew, just about to be slow cooked.

    So let's talk Crockpot. Specifically this CrockPot.

    Crockpot filled with beef and Guinness stew

    I bloomin love it! Here are a few reasons why:

    • There's a sear function that allows you to sear your meat and any other ingredients right in the Crockpot. No need to dirty another pan or transfer big piles of seared food to the slow-cooker (which inevitably ends up mostly on my work surface). And it works really well (I seared a whole lotta meat in one go with no problems). That hands-down 100% sold it to me. It could have had no other functions, and I'd have been happy.
    • It's got a digital timer, telling you how long is left. It's a simple thing, but too many slow cookers don't have it.
    • The bowl is dishwasher safe. Yaasssss!
    • It's got a keep-warm mode - so once your food is ready, you can keep it warm without the fear of everything turn to mush or drying out.
    • It's got other fandangly features that I haven't yet tried, but made me go 'What?? no way'. Like the steam feature, the roasting feature and the baking feature. I'm looking forward to trying them out.

    Bowl of beef and Guinness stew with mashed potato, greens and crispy onions.

    Can I make it gluten free?

    Yes, replace the Guinness with gluten free pale ale (Brewdog do one) or gluten free golden ale.

    Replace the plain (all-purpose) flour with gluten free flour blend.

    Ensure the stock and tomato puree/paste is a gluten free version too.

    Can I make it alcohol free?

    Yes, replace the Guinness with the same amount of beef stock. I also like to give it an extra kick by adding half a tablespoon of vinegar (the picking juice out of jarred beetroot is particularity good)

    Can I make it ahead?

    Yes - this stew takes a while too cook, so start it in the morning, and it will be ready for dinner. If you want to make it the day before, simply cook, cool, cover and refrigerate. Then reheat until piping hot the next day.

    Will it freeze?

    Yes. Leftovers can be cooled, covered and frozen. Defrost thoroughly in the fridge overnight, then reheat until piping hot.

    The Beef and Guinness Stew with Crispy Onions Recipe:

    Square image of a bowl of beef and Guinness Stew with mashed potatoes and green cabbage

    Beef and Guinness Stew with Crispy Onions

    By: Nicky Corbishley
    Rich, melt-in-the-mouth beef stew made with Guinness and topped with crispy fried onions
    5 from 7 votes
    Rate this Recipe Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 30 minutes mins
    Cook Time 5 hours hrs
    Total Time 5 hours hrs 30 minutes mins
    Course Dinner
    Cuisine British
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 559 kcal

    Ingredients
     

    Beef and Guinness Stew

    • 2 tbsp. vegetable oil
    • 4 pounds (1.8kg) braising/stewing beef - chopped into bite-size chunks
    • 2 tbsp plain (all purpose) flour mixed with a good pinch of salt and pepper
    • 2 large onions
    • 5 cloves garlic - peeled and crushed
    • 4 carrots - ,peeled and chopped into chunks
    • 7 oz (200g) mushrooms - , sliced
    • 28 floz (800ml) Guinness
    • 1 â…” cups (400ml) beef stock - water plus 2 stock cubes is fine
    • 2 tbsp tomato puree/paste
    • 4 bay leaves
    • 2 tsp dark brown sugar
    • ¾ tsp salt
    • ¾ tsp crushed black pepper

    Crispy Onions:

    • 1 large onion - peeled and sliced thinly
    • 2 tbsp plain (all purpose) flour
    • 1 pinch salt
    • ¼ tsp garlic salt
    • ¼ tsp black pepper
    • ¼ tsp paprika
    • Vegetable oil for deep frying - you'll need enough to fill a large pan â…“ full - I use approx. 3 cups

    To serve:

    • Sliced spring greens, sauteed in butter
    • Mashed Potatoes

    INSTRUCTIONS
     

    • Turn on the sear functions on the Crockpot and add the oil.
    • Dust the chunks of beef in the seasoned flour and fry for 7-8 minutes until golden brown all over. 
    • Add the onions and cook for a further 5 minutes. Then add the carrots and mushrooms and stir.
    • Stir in the garlic. Add in the Guinness, stock, tomato puree, bay leaves, sugar, salt and pepper. Bring to the boil then change the setting to slow cook. Choose either high for 4 ½ -5 hours or low for 6-7 hours.
    • When your stew is almost ready, start preparing the crispy onions.
    • Heat the oil in a large pan (make sure there pan is filled no more than â…“ full to prevent it from bubbling over).
    • Mix the onions slices with the flour, salt, pepper, garlic salt and paprika. Test the oil is hot enough by placing one of the onion slices in the pan. It should bubble instantly.
    • Cook the onions in 3 or 4 batches for about 2-4 minutes until golden and crispy. Be careful when putting the onions in the oil as the oil will bubble fiercly. When cooked, place on some kitchen roll to drain.
    • Dish out the stew (removing the bay leaves first), and place a heap of onions on top of each dish. Serve with mashed potato and green veg.

    ✎ Notes

    Can I make it gluten free?

    Yes, replace the Guinness with gluten free pale ale (Brewdog do one) or gluten free golden ale.
    Replace the plain (all-purpose) flour with gluten free flour blend.
    Ensure the stock and tomato puree/paste is a gluten free version too.
    .

    Can I make it alcohol free?

    Yes, replace the Guinness with the same amount of beef stock. I also like to give it an extra kick by adding half a tablespoon of vinegar (the picking juice out of jarred beetroot is particularity good).
    .

    Can I make it ahead?

    Yes - this stew takes a while too cook, so start it in the morning, and it will be ready for dinner. If you want to make it the day before, simply cook, cool, cover and refrigerate. Then reheat until piping hot the next day.
    .

    Will it freeze?

    Yes. Leftovers can be cooled, covered and frozen. Defrost thoroughly in the fridge overnight, then reheat until piping hot.
    .
    .Nutritional Information is per serving, allowing for 3 tbsps of oil being absorbed during the cooking of crispy onions & without serving suggestions of mashed potato and green veg. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 559kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 64gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 176mgSodium: 642mgPotassium: 765mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 5150IUVitamin C: 6.4mgCalcium: 37mgIron: 6mg
    Keywords Autumn food, cockpot, Guinness, winter food
    Tried this recipe?Mention @KitchenSanctuary or tag #KitchenSanctuary on Instagram!

    This post was first published in February 2015. Updated in September 2018 with updated recipe, new photos and tips.

    Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links – which means if you buy the product I get a small commission (at no extra cost to you). If you do buy, then thank you! That’s what helps us to keep Kitchen Sanctuary running. The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors. For more information please see our Terms & Conditions.

    Hi I’m Nicky

    I love to cook and I want to share with you my favourite, delicious family friendly recipes. I want to inspire you to create fantastic food for your family every day.

    Read More

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    1. Bel says

      July 27, 2023 at 2:14 am

      In the directions you don’t say when the carrots and mushrooms need to be added.

      Reply
      • Nicky Corbishley says

        August 15, 2023 at 1:49 pm

        Thanks for the spot Bel, I've updated the recipe card now.

        Reply
    « Older Comments

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    Hi I’m Nicky

    I love to cook and I want to share with you my favourite, delicious family friendly recipes. I want to inspire you to create fantastic food for your family every day.

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