Guinness Coffee Irish Beef Stew Will Melt Your Heart in 2 Hours

There’s nothing quite like a steaming bowl of beef stew to warm you up from the inside out, especially when it’s packed with the deep, soulful flavors of Guinness and coffee. This isn’t just any stew—it’s the kind of meal that makes you close your eyes and sigh with every bite. I first made this for a chilly St. Patrick’s Day gathering at my sister’s house, and now it’s become our family’s go-to comfort food. The coffee might sound surprising, but trust me, it adds this incredible richness that plays perfectly with the malty Guinness and tender beef. One taste, and you’ll understand why we call it “hug in a bowl.”

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Why You’ll Love This Guinness Coffee Irish Beef Stew

Oh, where do I even start? This stew is pure magic—the kind that makes you sneak extra spoonfuls when no one’s looking. First, the flavor: that deep, rich combo of Guinness and coffee creates a sauce so good, you’ll want to drink it straight from the pot. Then there’s the beef—two hours of simmering turns it into melt-in-your-mouth perfection. Plus, it’s all done in one pot (hello, easy cleanup!). And let me tell you, nothing brings people together like ladling this into bowls on a chilly evening. It’s comfort food at its absolute finest.

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Ingredients for Guinness Coffee Irish Beef Stew

Alright, let’s gather our cast of characters! I always lay everything out on the counter before I start – it’s my little “mise en place” ritual that keeps me from running back to the fridge mid-cooking. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 2 lbs beef chuck (cut into 1-inch cubes – trust me, bigger pieces stay juicier)
• 2 tbsp olive oil (the good stuff for browning that beef)
• 1 large onion (chopped – no need for perfect dice, rustic chunks are fine)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced – or more if you’re like me and believe you can never have too much)
• 4 carrots (sliced into coins about 1/4-inch thick)
• 3 celery stalks (sliced – don’t skip these, they add such great depth)
• 2 tbsp tomato paste (that little can in your fridge will work perfectly)
• 1 cup Guinness beer (room temp is best – drink the rest while you cook!)
• 1 cup strong brewed coffee (cooled – I use my morning leftover French press)
• 4 cups beef broth (low-sodium so we can control the salt)
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (that umami bomb in your fridge door)
• 1 tsp dried thyme (rub it between your fingers to wake it up)
• 1 tsp dried rosemary (same trick as the thyme – releases the oils)
• Salt and pepper to taste (I’m generous with both)
• 2 tbsp flour (optional, but great if you like a thicker stew)

See? Nothing too fancy, just good, honest ingredients that come together to make something extraordinary. Now let’s get cooking!

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How to Make Guinness Coffee Irish Beef Stew

Okay, friends, let’s dive into the good stuff! This is where the magic happens. I’ll walk you through each step like I’m right there in the kitchen with you – because honestly, I wish I was! Nothing beats cooking with good company.

1. Brown that beef like you mean it

First things first – heat your olive oil in a big, heavy pot (I use my trusty Dutch oven) over medium-high heat. Pat your beef cubes dry with paper towels – this is KEY for getting that beautiful crust. Don’t crowd the pan! Give each piece some breathing room, and don’t flip them until you see that gorgeous brown color on the bottom. This might take 3-4 minutes per batch. Transfer the browned beef to a plate and resist the urge to snack on it (I fail at this every time).

2. Sauté the veggies to build flavor

In that same glorious pot (with all those tasty brown bits still in there), toss in your onions, garlic, carrots, and celery. Cook them until they start to soften and the onions get translucent – about 5 minutes. The smell at this point is already making my stomach growl! Stir in the tomato paste and let it cook for a minute to lose that raw taste. This is where the flavor foundation gets built, so take your time here.

3. The big reveal – Guinness and coffee!

Now for the fun part! Pour in your Guinness and coffee, and use your wooden spoon to scrape up all those delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pot. This is called deglazing, and it’s where so much flavor lives! Let it bubble for a minute to cook off some of the alcohol (though we’re keeping all that malty goodness).

4. Bring it all together

Add back your browned beef along with the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and rosemary. Give it a good stir, then bring it to a boil. Once it’s bubbling happily, reduce the heat to low, cover it, and let it simmer for about 2 hours. I know it’s tempting to peek, but trust the process! This long, slow cook is what turns tough beef into butter-soft perfection.

5. The finishing touches

After 2 hours, remove the lid and admire your handiwork. If you like your stew thicker (I do!), mix 2 tablespoons of flour with a little cold water to make a slurry, then stir it in. Let it cook uncovered for another 10-15 minutes to thicken up. Taste and season with salt and pepper – I usually go heavier on the pepper because I love that little kick.

And there you have it! The most incredible, soul-warming Guinness coffee beef stew you’ll ever taste. The beef should be fork-tender, the vegetables soft but not mushy, and that broth… oh, that broth is liquid gold. Serve it piping hot and watch the compliments roll in!

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Tips for the Best Guinness Coffee Irish Beef Stew

Want to take your stew from good to “Oh my goodness, can I have the recipe?” level? Here are my tried-and-true secrets: First, marinate the beef in Guinness overnight – it tenderizes like magic. Second, don’t skip scraping those browned bits when deglazing – that’s pure flavor gold! Third, if your stew’s too thin, mix equal parts butter and flour (a beurre manié) instead of a slurry for silkier texture. Fourth, let it rest 15 minutes off heat before serving – flavors marry beautifully. And my wild card? A splash of balsamic vinegar at the end brightens everything up!

Ingredient Substitutions & Notes

No Guinness? A dark ale or stout works great – just avoid anything too hoppy. Not a coffee fan? Swap it for equal parts extra beef broth (though you’ll miss that deep richness). Fresh herbs? Absolutely! Use 3x the amount of fresh thyme and rosemary if you’ve got them. Gluten-free? Skip the flour or use a GF blend for thickening. And if you’re out of Worcestershire, a dash of soy sauce plus a pinch of sugar makes a decent stand-in. Cooking should be flexible – make it work for you!

Serving Suggestions for Guinness Coffee Irish Beef Stew

Oh, the possibilities! My absolute favorite way to serve this stew is in big, warm bowls with a hunk of crusty Irish soda bread for dunking – that malty broth soaked into the bread? Heaven! For heartier appetites, pile it over creamy mashed potatoes or buttery colcannon. A simple green salad with sharp vinaigrette cuts through the richness perfectly. And here’s my secret: garnish with fresh parsley and a drizzle of that reduced cooking liquid for a restaurant-worthy presentation. Trust me, your dinner guests will think you slaved all day!

Storing and Reheating Guinness Coffee Irish Beef Stew

Here’s the beautiful thing about this stew – it gets even better as leftovers! Let it cool completely, then store it in airtight containers in the fridge for 3-4 days (if it lasts that long). For longer storage, freeze portions in freezer bags for up to 3 months – just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, warm it gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally. If it thickens too much, just add a splash of beef broth or water to loosen it up. Pro tip: The flavors deepen overnight, so day-two stew might just be the best version!

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Nutritional Information

Just a quick note – these numbers are estimates since ingredients can vary. Per hearty serving: about 450 calories, 22g fat (8g saturated), and a whopping 35g protein to keep you full and happy. Not bad for a bowl of pure comfort, right?

Guinness Coffee Irish Beef Stew Will Melt Your Heart in 2 Hours

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A hearty and flavorful Irish beef stew made with tender beef, rich Guinness beer, and aromatic coffee for a deep, savory taste.

• Author: Sophia Collins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Total Time: 2 hours 20 mins
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Irish
• Diet: Low Lactose

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 carrots, sliced
• 3 celery stalks, sliced
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 cup Guinness beer
• 1 cup strong brewed coffee
• 4 cups beef broth
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp flour (optional, for thickening)

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Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Brown the beef cubes on all sides, then remove and set aside.
2. In the same pot, sauté onions, garlic, carrots, and celery until softened.
3. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
4. Pour in Guinness and coffee, scraping the bottom of the pot to release any browned bits.
5. Add beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, and the browned beef. Bring to a boil.
6. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 2 hours or until beef is tender.
7. If desired, mix flour with a little water to make a slurry and stir into the stew to thicken.
8. Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving.

Notes

• For extra depth, marinate the beef in Guinness overnight.
• Substitute coffee with more beef broth if preferred.
• Serve with crusty bread or mashed potatoes.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 bowl
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 8g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 20g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 35g
• Cholesterol: 90mg