Slow Cooker Beef and Ale Stew

A comforting and deeply flavorful British beef and ale stew, perfect for a chilly day. Tender beef and root vegetables simmer slowly in a rich, savory ale-infused gravy.

Prep Time: 20 min
Cook Time: 480 min
Total Time: 500 min
Servings: 4
BritishDairy-FreeNut-FreeEgg-FreeShellfish-FreeSesame-FreeHigh-Protein

Ingredients

  • 1.5 lb Beef chuck roast (cut into 1.5-inch cubes)
  • 2 tbsp All-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp Olive oil
  • 1 piece Onion (large, chopped)
  • 2 piece Carrots (medium, peeled and chopped)
  • 2 piece Celery stalks (chopped)
  • 3 clove Garlic (minced)
  • 1 cup Beef broth
  • 1 cup Dark ale or stout (e.g., Guinness, Newcastle Brown Ale)
  • 2 tbsp Tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 3 piece Fresh thyme sprigs
  • 1 piece Bay leaf
  • 1 lb Potatoes (small, such as baby reds or Yukon golds, quartered)
  • to taste to taste Salt
  • to taste to taste Black pepper
  • 2 tbsp Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish (optional))

Instructions

  1. 1.

    Pat the beef cubes dry with paper towels. In a medium bowl, toss the beef with the all-purpose flour, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.

    Time: 5 min
  2. 2.

    Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the beef in batches on all sides, about 2-3 minutes per batch. Do not overcrowd the pan. Transfer browned beef to the slow cooker.

    Time: 10 min
  3. 3.

    Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the same skillet. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

    Time: 7 min
  4. 4.

    Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Pour in the beef broth and dark ale, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a simmer.

    Time: 3 min
  5. 5.

    Transfer the vegetable mixture and liquid to the slow cooker with the beef. Add the Worcestershire sauce, fresh thyme sprigs, and bay leaf. Stir gently to combine.

    Time: 2 min
  6. 6.

    Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, until the beef is fork-tender.

    Time: 480 min
  7. 7.

    During the last hour of cooking, add the quartered potatoes to the slow cooker. Ensure they are submerged in the liquid. Continue cooking until the potatoes are tender.

    Time: 60 min
  8. 8.

    Remove the thyme sprigs and bay leaf before serving. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired.

    Time: 5 min

Tips

  • 💡For an even richer flavor, you can add a few sliced mushrooms to the slow cooker along with the vegetables.
  • 💡Serve this stew with crusty bread, mashed potatoes, or a side of steamed greens to soak up all the delicious gravy.
  • 💡If the gravy isn't thick enough, you can remove about 1/2 cup of liquid, whisk in 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, and return it to the slow cooker for the last 30 minutes of cooking.

Recipe from TheCookbook.ai

Created by smw355