Slow Cooker Irish Stew

4 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Irish Stew is the most delicious hearty stew made with tender lamb or beef, vegetables, and a rich, savory broth. It is the ultimate comfort food, and the best part? You can throw it all together in your slow cooker and let it do the work for you.

Prep Time15

Cook Time6

Total Time6 15

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: Irish

Keyword: Slow Cooker Irish Stew

Servings: bowls

Author: Caytlin McCleery

Ingredients

2 pounds yellow baby potatoes cut into 2-inch pieces
4 medium carrots cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 medium yellow or white onion diced
3 cloves minced garlic about 2 teaspoons
2 pounds lamb shoulder or beef chuck cut into 2-inch chunks
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
4 tablespoons vegetable oil divided
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
22 ounces Guinness Beer
4 cups beef broth
1 cup red wine optional
3 sprigs fresh thyme
4 whole bay leaves
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

Peel and cut up the potatoes, carrots, and onion. Mince the garlic. Cut the beef or lamb into 2-inch chunks. Pat dry and sprinkle with kosher salt and pepper.
Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a Dutch oven or heavy-based pot over high heat. Add the meat in batches and brown on all sides. Once browned, add to the slow cooker.
Lower heat to medium and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil. Add the onion and cook for 3 minutes until softened, then add the garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in the flour and cook for an additional 3 minutes.
Add the Guinness beer, beef broth, and red wine (if using), stirring and scraping up any browned bits on the bottom of the pan.
Add the contents of the pan into the slow cooker along with the carrots, potatoes, thyme, and bay leaves.
Set the slow cooker on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours until the meat and vegetables are tender to your liking.
Remove the lid during the last 30-45 minutes to help the broth thicken more.
Remove the thyme and bay leaves. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley.

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