Slow Cooker Irish Stew with Beef and Guinness
This classic hearty Irish stew from Bored of Lunch is perfect for popping in the slow cooker for a warming meal at the end of a cold winter's day.
From the book
Bored of Lunch: The Healthy Slow Cooker Book
80 easy, healthy slow cooker recipes.
Calorie-counted recipes to assist with diet programmes.
From pastas to curries, fakeaways and family favourites.
Introduction
Being from the island of Ireland, I had to include an Irish stew. Everyone has their own recipe, but this is how I make mine. It’s controversial, but I like it this way and it was inspired by my Mum who always has, and always will, make her stew in a slow cooker because it adds so much flavour. Don’t worry if you don’t like Guinness, you won’t taste it – the alcohol evaporates, leaving an amazing richness in the gravy.
Ingredients
| 400ml | Guinness |
| 500g | diced beef |
| 1 | onion, chopped |
| 4 | carrots, chopped (skin left on) |
| Handful of | fresh thyme |
| 1 tbsp | tomato purée |
| 2-3 | beef stock cubes |
| 600ml | boiling water (or less if you prefer) |
| 1 tsp | curry powder |
| 1-2 | bay leaves |
| 3 | garlic cloves, chopped |
| 7 | potatoes, peeled and quartered |
| gravy granules or 1 heaped tbsp of cornflour, mixed to a paste with 1 tbsp water (optional) | |
| fresh parsley, to garnish (optional) | |
| salt and pepper, to taste |
Essential kit
You will need: a slow cooker.
Method
Place all the ingredients in the slow cooker, stir and season to taste. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8–9 hours, then use a spoon to break up some of the potatoes into the sauce. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if using.
Notes: All you need is crusty bread with butter, and lots of it. If you like a thick sauce, add the gravy granules or cornflour paste, but I prefer mine without.
537 calories per serving.
