This stew has a great flavor, don't be afraid to use Guiness. It will not be bitter, even if you omit the sugar like I did. I used only one pot: rendered the bacon-removed it; dredged 3.75 lbs. beef in flour (with salt and pepper) browned it-removed it; cooked the onions and garlic; deglazed with Guiness; added 26 oz. of beef stock (instead of chicken stock) tomato paste, thyme, and vegetables; put the beef and bacon back in; simmered for 2 hours and then used a gravy separator and some corn starch to thicken the gravy (made 4.5 cups gravy). Go easy on the salt, there is enough in the beef stock. Served it just like in the picture!
We have all decided this is a top 3 family recipe. From my 2 to 15-year-old, everyone inhales this. I make no changes bc it's perfect as is. I make the french bread rolls to die for (also on this site). Trust me, you'll want rolls to soak up every bit of this delicious gravy. So amazingly good and so easy to make a ring with the potatoes. My kids love the presentation as much as the meal.
Absolutely delicious. I served it to my family with Irresistible Irish Soda Bread from this site and my toddler and husband gobbled it all up. Next time I make this, however, I will be sure to serve over potatoes or Colcannon as this only made enough for one meal for my 4 person family. Also, my 7-year-old turned her little nose up at it because of the intensity of flavor - which I think could have been dodged had I served it over mashed potatoes. We enjoyed it (except the 7 year old) but afterward decided that since it's such a very flavorful stew, almost like a gravy, some sort of mashed potato accompaniment really is a must.
Another thought: I did use beef stock instead of chicken (beef is what I had on hand) and I wonder if using the chicken stock could have dialed down the strength of the stew. Going to go that way next time.
Thought it was fantastic. Cooked it in my dutch oven. Added turnips to the mix. It was a big hit!!
I made this recipe for a family Christmas party using smoked, overly cooked (i.e. DRIED OUT!)leftover brisket. I was hoping the cooking slow and low in the Guinness would tenderize and moisten the brisket. It turned out FANTASTIC and there were NO leftovers, sorry to say! LOL! I made it the next day for my family, again using this overcooked, smoked brisket and it turned out just as great! THIS is DEFINITELY a keeper!! (I didn't use any sugar. That's the only adjustment I made, except for the dried out meat I used!) A GREAT way to use up meat that turned out too dry and tough! Thanks for this recipe, Chef John!!
My family all loved this stew. My husband is an ok, but not great cook and doesn't really care what he eats. I asked him to make this recipe since I was busy and it seemed easy. When he sat down to eat, he actually looked surprised and said "THIS is what I think of when I think of stew". That is now a staple in our house. Its rich and really flavorful and easy to make.
Great recipe! I used beef broth instead of chicken and we loved this stew. Many stews seem to lack a bit in flavor but not this one. We had it with mashed potatoes. I will definitely be keeping a supply of Guinness on hand just for this stew. Thanks Chef John! I do love your recipes!
WOW! This was amazing! I made it for St. Patty's Day yesterday served with green beer! Hubby said this is the best Irish dish! I doubled the recipe just so we can have left overs and followed it to a 'T' except I didn't measure out the s&p, just generously seasoned the meat with both prior to browning. I also added diced mushrooms and thickened it up a little with flour whisked with water. Served over garlicky red mashed potatoes (see pic) and with the Irish Brown Bread from this site. Even my daughters raved about it! Personally I thought it needed a little more salt so next time may try it with beef stock instead. Love Chef John's recipes!!! :o]
Made his last night for friends, cooked everything in my moms 50 year old cast iron Dutch oven, started on the stove then moved it into the oven on 300 then 250 for three hours. Paired with a nice Cabernet sav , some irish soda bread, some champs (mashed potatoe w butter and scallions) and followed with Eton Mess and a Warm Hug hot chocolate w irish liquor ) some irish music in background, we could've been there. Cooked for 10, and 8 of us left, not a spoonful left as everyone had heaping seconds.
I did not care for this recipe. It tastes nothing like any guiness stew i've ever eaten. I'm always looking for a new recipe on here but this one is my first (1 star)
