Guinness Beef Stew

This Guinness beef stew with garlic cheddar dumplings is THE perfect answer to a cold, dreary day. Savory Guinness beef stew with melt-in-your-mouth garlic cheddar dumplings – your house will smell amazing as this stew simmers on the stove.

The weather outside might be frightful, but inside we’re warming up with delicious wintery soups, chilis, and stews! Some of our winter favorites are Paleo chipotle chicken chili, creamy tomato tortellini soup, Guinness french onion soup, and of course this Guinness beef stew! Using Guinness in beef-based soups and stews just amps up the flavor potential and hardiness of the dish. I think you’ll love this beef stew recipe.

Ingredients needed

• 2 lbs. beef stew meat
• 5 slices bacon
• 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter – divided
• 1/2 white onion – chopped
• 3 celery stalks – chopped
• 2 large carrots – chopped
• 3/4 cup slice Portobello mushrooms
• 1 tsp. salt – divided
• 3/4 tsp. pepper – divided
• 1/2 tsp. minced garlic
• 6 oz. tomato paste
• 2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 12 oz. Guinness
• 4 cups beef bone broth
• 1 bay leaf
• 4 sprigs of fresh thyme
• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar
• 1/3 – 1/2 cup whole milk

How to make Guinness Beef Stew

1. In a large skillet, cook the bacon until crisp. Remove from skillet and set aside, leaving the bacon grease in the skillet. Once cooled, crumble bacon for later use.
2. Using the same skillet with the bacon grease, season the beef stew meat with 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper, then brown on both sides. Remove from skillet and set aside.
3. In a large dutch oven, melt the 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter over medium heat and add in the minced garlic. Sauté until fragrant and slightly browned, then add in the onion, celery, and carrots. Cook until vegetables become soft. Add in the tomato paste and stir.
4. Add the Guinness and Worcestershire sauce and stir to combine. Bring it to a simmer.
5. Add in the beef stew meat, beef broth, bay leaf, and sprigs of thyme. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer for 2 hours.
6. Remove the bay leaf and sprigs of thyme. If stew is not thick enough, add in a small amount of flour or corn starch to help thicken. Add in the mushrooms and crumbled bacon.
7. In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, garlic powder, and salt. Using a fork or a pastry blender, cut in 1 Tbsp. of unsalted butter until crumbly. Mix in the cheddar cheese. Then, slowly stir in the milk and mix together until you have a wet dough.
8. Form the dough into small, loose balls and drop them onto the top of the stew. Cover again and cook for another 15-20 minutes.
9. Once dumplings are firm, remove the lid and serve.

Recipe FAQs

What beer is best for stew?

When adding beer to a beef stew, it’s best to choose one with a robust flavor, like a Guinness stout or ale. Of course, this recipe features Guinness stout because I love the flavoring it adds to the broth.

What should I serve with beef stew?

While Guinness beef stew can easily be a meal in itself, you could add in these dishes for a rich and hearty meal!

• Mashed Parmesan Potatoes – serve the Guinness beef stew over these for a delicious flavor upgrade
• Maple Roasted Parsnips – these would pair perfectly with a hearty Guinness beef stew
• Apple Cranberry Thanksgiving Salad – lighten up the meal with a fresh salad
• Caramel Apple Galette – wrap up the meal with a delicious dessert

How do you thicken beef and Guinness stew?

If you need to thicken your Guinness beef stew, you can add in about 1 Tbsp. flour or corn starch to the broth and let it thicken. Or, you can make an easy thickening sauce by whisking together 1 Tbsp. corn starch and 1 Tbsp. milk, then add that to the stew and stir to combine.

Recommended kitchen resources for this recipe

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Guinness Beef Stew with Garlic Cheddar Dumplings Recipe