Irish Stew Recipe with Lamb & Guinness | Craft Beering (2024)

Traditional Irish stew recipe with Guinness stout for deeper flavors.

Irish Stew Recipe with Lamb & Guinness | Craft Beering (1)

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Read on for relevant tips and step by step pictures (2 mins)

About This Irish Stew Recipe

How do you make an authentic Irish stew? The answer is not in the Guinness. For a traditional Irish stew you need to use the right cut of meat and begin with bacon.

The best cut of meat to use for Irish lamb stew is lamb shoulder. It is considered the most flavorful, its fine marbling is well suited for stewingand it becomes more tender than any other cut.

Many stores offer pre-cut lamb shoulder for stew (as seen below) or you can buy lamb shoulder, trim the fat and cut it into cubes yourself.

Irish Stew Recipe with Lamb & Guinness | Craft Beering (2)

Traditionally Irish stews begin with bacon fat. It only makes sense. Back in the day processed vegetable oils were not common, olive oil was a luxury to Ireland, and butter burns easily – so animal fats were the grease of choice.

Irish Stew Recipe with Lamb & Guinness | Craft Beering (3)

Once you have the meat sorted out, round up veggies and spices traditional to Irish cooking.

Potatoes. If in season use the small spring variety, otherwise all purpose potatoes such as Yukon Gold are great.

Veggies. Carrots, onions, peas (optional).

Beef stock. Homemade or good quality store bought.

Flour. As a thickening agent for the stew.

Flavoring agents. Garlic, salt and pepper and fresh herbs/spices.Both thyme and parsley are commonly used and caraway seeds are a traditional spice for lamb stew in Ireland. If you enjoy caraway seeds and have them on hand you can use them ground. A bay leaf (optional) is complimentary to braised meats and meat stews.

Guinness. We discuss its use in detail below.

The Guinness Stout Addition

In the past the Irish cooked stews without adding dark ale to flavor the meat. Besides, mutton, not lamb was much more commonly used in the past.It’s logical – in the grand scheme of things lamb stews were enjoyed way before Guinness stout became a household name after the 1820s.

The roasted barley used to brew Guinness imparts a lovely toasty smokiness to the lamb via the ale addition. Along with the stout’s malty sweetness and slight acidic tinge the flavor contributions to the stew are very desirable.

Tried and true. Chris, the chef and freckled, strawberry blonde Irish part of Craft Beering always adds a Guinness to lamb stew. Plus we love cooking with beer.

The Lamb Stew Process

For this recipe you only need one heavy bottomed pot with a lid such as a Dutch oven or a braiser.

Irish Stew Recipe with Lamb & Guinness | Craft Beering (4)Irish Stew Recipe with Lamb & Guinness | Craft Beering (5)

  • Step 1. Slice good quality, thick cut bacon in chunks and render the fat over medium heat.Next, remove the bacon pieces, set them on a paper napkin lined plate and turn your attention to the lamb.
  • Step 2. Season flour with salt and pepper (plus ground caraway seed, optional) and coat the lamb chunks.Brown them in the bacon fat, on all sides and over medium-high heat for a good sear.
  • Work in batches so as to not overcrowd the pot and then remove them and set aside.
  • Step 3. Saute a large diced onion and minced garlic, dust them with seasoned flour once softened and then deglaze with a bottle of Guinness.Use a wooden spatula to scrape of all the brown bits from the bottom of the pot.
  • Step 4. Add the beef broth, the browned lamb, and the bacon. Stir, cover and let simmer for an hour and a half.While the lamb stews away, prep the potatoes, carrots and remaining onions. Aim for bite sized pieces.
  • Step 5. Add the vegetables to the pot along with the fresh thyme and (if using) bay leaf. Stir, cover and simmer until the vegetables are soft.

TIP: If you want to add peas, add them at the very end, just a few minutes before the rest of the veggies are completely soft.

Enjoy Your Irish Stew with Guinness and Brown Bread

Irish Stew Recipe with Lamb & Guinness | Craft Beering (6)

Lamb stew can be served right away or after a night or two (be sure to store refrigerated and covered). The flavors develop and once reheated it tastes even richer.

Once the lamb stew is done and you are ready to serve chop some fresh parsley to use as garnish.

Serve with Irish brown bread or soda breador another white bread to mop up the delicious, thick liquids of the stew. Be sure to include a flavorful ale as part of the meal.

A dark ale with a roasty character such as an Irish stout makes a wonderful companion to a bowl of this hearty stew. You can also pair it with a barley wine or a hoppy brown ale.

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Irish Stew Recipe with Lamb & Guinness | Craft Beering (7)

Irish Stew Recipe with Lamb & Guinness

Yield: 6

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes

Authentic Irish stew recipe with lamb meat and Guinness stout for roasty notes and a rich malty infusion.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 lb bacon, thick cut, smoked recommended, cut in 1-2 inch pieces
  • 1 1/2 lb lamb, shoulder recommended, trimmed of fat and cut for stew
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 2 tsp ground caraway seed (optional)
  • 3 onions, one large head (diced) and two medium heads (cut in bigger chunks)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 12 oz Guinness
  • 2 1/2 cups beef broth
  • 2 cups carrots, cut in bite sized chunks, if using baby carrots slice diagonally
  • 8 potatoes, medium-sized, cut into bite sized chunks
  • 1 cup frozen peas (optional)
  • 4-5 sprigs thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Over medium heat render the fat from the bacon. Remove bacon pieces and drain on paper towel.
  2. Turn the heat up to medium-high. Mix flour, salt, pepper and ground caraway seeds (if using) and coat the lamb chunks in the mix. Shake of excess and brown the lamb in the bacon fat. Work in batches and then set aside. Reserve 1 tbsp of the seasoned flour.
  3. Lower the heat back to medium and saute the large, diced onion and the minced garlic. Once softened, dust with the reserved seasoned flour and cook for another minute.
  4. Add the Guinness to deglaze the bottom of the pot and use a wooden spatula to scrape off all brown bits. Add the beef stock and bring to simmer.
  5. Add the browned lamb pieces back to the simmering pot, then add the bacon pieces. Cover and simmer on medium-low for 1 1/2 hours.
  6. Add the prepped potatoes, carrots and remaining two onions. Add the thyme and bay leaf. Stir, cover and simmer for another 20-25 minutes or until the veggies are soft.
  7. If using frozen peas, add them about 3 minutes before you turn off the heat.
  8. Serve with white bread on the side and garnish generously with parsley. Pair with Guinness or other Irish stout.

Notes

  • You can grind caraway seeds using a pestle and mortar or a coffee grinder. If you use the latter, do not worry they might take on coffee flavors. Those are already present in the Guinness:)
  • Try to use lamb chunks cut in more or less uniform pieces for more even cooking. The same applies for the potatoes, carrots and onion.
  • Be sure to brown the chunks of lamb on all sides.
  • If using fresh peas, add them a few minutes earlier than the noted time for frozen peas which have been blanched.

If you have extra Guinness on hand you can make this Irish Brown Bread to serve alongside the stew.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6Serving Size: 6 Servings
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 617Saturated Fat: 8.4gCholesterol: 144mgSodium: 171mgCarbohydrates: 36.6gFiber: 6.6gSugar: 7gProtein: 52.7g

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Irish Stew Recipe with Lamb & Guinness | Craft Beering (2024)

FAQs

How do you take the bitterness out of Guinness stew? ›

Naturally sweet ingredients, like onions, carrots, and tomato paste work to balance some of the bitterness.

What is the best cut of meat for lamb stew? ›

Shoulder or leg of lamb: both of these cuts are perfect in a stew or casserole when diced. Meat from the shoulder needs to be trimmed of excess fat first; while meat from the leg gives neater, leaner pieces of meat than the shoulder. Both are meltingly tender with a fantastic flavour.

What is traditional Irish stew made of? ›

Irish stew is considered a national dish of Ireland. Irish stew is a celebrated Irish dish, yet its composition is a matter of dispute. Purists maintain that the only acceptable and traditional ingredients are neck mutton chops or kid, potatoes, onions, and water.

What is the difference between stew and Irish stew? ›

The main difference between an Irish stew and classic beef stew comes down to the protein. Traditional Irish stew is usually made with lamb, while beef stew is always made with beef. Our version includes beef chuck, which is less traditional, but easy to make and equally delicious.

What can I add to stew to make it less bitter? ›

Squeeze in some vinegar or lemon juice.

Try squeezing some fresh Make-Lemon-Juice|lemon juice]] or adding a spoonful of vinegar to bitter dishes to neutralize the flavor a bit.

What is Guinness and bitter called? ›

A black and tan is a beer co*cktail made by layering a pale beer (usually pale ale) and a dark beer (usually stout). In Ireland, the drink is called a half and half.

Can you overcook lamb in a stew? ›

Be careful not to overcook your lamb stew. Similar to beef stew, if you do overcook lamb stew, the meat will begin to fall apart and lose moisture making it much more dry and flavorless.

How long does lamb take to cook? ›

Place the lamb in the oven and roast for 1 hr 40 mins for rare meat, 2 hrs for medium and 2 hrs 30 mins for well done (see our temperature guide below). 2. Carefully lift the lamb onto a board with a moat, or a warm platter, then leave to rest for 20 mins.

How do I thicken my Irish stew? ›

Whisk a teaspoon of flour in a little cold water to make a slurry, then stir into the stew as it's cooking. Don't add dry flour directly to the stew as it may clump. After adding the slurry, bring the stew to boil. This will cook out the flour taste and allow the starch to swell.

When to add potatoes to stew? ›

The idea is to cook the carrots and potatoes at the end of the simmering process, so they don't become mushy. Just make sure to keep an eye on the stew to see if you need to add additional broth or water to keep it from drying out.

Does Irish stew contain potatoes? ›

Classic Irish Stew is easy to make but is incredibly delicious! It's made with basic ingredients like potatoes, carrots, beef broth, and beef or lamb stew meat. Cooking this dish in the oven makes the meat fall-apart-tender, the veggies saucy, and adds so much flavor to the dish.

What is the national dish of Ireland? ›

Irish Stew is a thick, hearty dish of mutton, potatoes, and onions and undisputedly the national dish of Ireland. Within the dish are many of the ingredients synonymous with the island, potatoes being one of the most recognized.

What is an interesting fact about Irish stew? ›

The famous Irish stew made with lamb, carrots, potatoes and onion was frequently featured on menus for third-class passengers on the Titanic. The stew would be consumed as part of the passengers' high tea, which was their second and final meal of the day.

Do you use yellow or red potatoes in stew? ›

Potatoes that are low-starch and high-moisture hold together better. Yukon Gold potatoes are on the medium-starch side and will hold their shape in soups. Red potatoes fall into the low-starch category, as do smaller, newer potatoes. Fingerling potatoes will do well in soups, as will long white potatoes.

Why does my Guinness taste bitter? ›

Isohumulones are the primary source of bitterness in Guinness and, generally speaking, in beers. The more humulone available during boiling, the more likely it is to isomerise and thus produce isohumulones.

What gives Guinness its bitter taste? ›

Roasted barley contributes to the beer's characteristic dark colour and unique taste. Hops: These give bitterness to balance the sweetness of the malt and act as a natural preservative.

How do you fix a beer that is too bitter? ›

If you've brewed a beer that's too bitter, it may just need some time to age. Set it aside for a month or so. The extra time can go a long ways towards getting rid of the green beer taste. As a last resort, you can blend the beer with something less bitter to bring it into balance.

How do you deal with bitterness in beer? ›

Process wise, I remove boil hops and add whirlpool hops once the wort is below 180F to reduce the bitterness added. If you add hops at flameout, then reduce the charge if it is adding too much bitterness. Dry hopping also adds bitterness.

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