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Home » Recipes » Single Serving Dinners

By Joanie Zisk Published: Feb 24, 2020 · Updated: Mar 3, 2022 · This post may contain affiliate links · Please read my disclosure

Irish Stew For One

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a bowl of stew filled with lamb, carrots and potatoes.

Irish Stew For One! A delicious small batch Irish stew recipe made with tender lamb or beef, plenty of carrots, and potatoes all simmering in a rich, beer-based broth. Easy to make, hearty, and extra comforting.

A bowl of irish stew filled with lamb and potatoes next to three carrots.

Irish stew is a stew native to Ireland but loved all over the world. It's a very popular dish on St. Patrick's Day but one that can and should be enjoyed any day of the year.

Why This Recipe Works

There are few dishes that are heartier or more comforting than a good meaty stew. It's a meal that will truly warm both body and soul. This traditional Irish stew features either tender beef or lamb and plenty of vegetables that cook in a broth made with a good stout beer and plenty of seasonings.

This single serving Irish stew recipe yields one big bowl of hearty and absolutely delicious stew. You may even have enough for two servings if you serve it with a side dish like mashed potatoes or homemade french bread.

Enjoying two bowls of irish stew in a pub in dublin with a glass of Guinness.

Ingredient Notes

See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.

  • Vegetable oil: You may use canola oil instead. This ingredient is used to brown the lamb.
  • Lamb: One of the main differences between Irish stew and beef stew is that Irish stew is traditionally made with lamb. Here in the United States, we eat more beef than lamb and if your preference is to use beef, please do. The stew will still be every bit as delicious. In this recipe, I use 5-ounces of lamb cut into 1-inch cubes.
lamb for irish stew | one dish kitchen
  • Seasonings: Salt, black pepper, and dried thyme.
  • Vegetables: I like to use chopped onions, celery, potatoes, garlic, and carrots.
irish stew vegetables | one dish kitchen
  • Tomato paste: Look for tomato paste that comes in a tube. You can find it in the same section of your grocery store that cans are found. A tube stays good in the refrigerator for much longer than canned. You can also freeze leftover paste in ice cube trays. When frozen, pop the cubes out of the tray and store in a zip-top bag in the freezer.
  • Worcestershire sauce: This ingredient adds great flavor to the stew.
  • Flour: All-purpose flour (plain flour) thickens the stew beautifully.
  • Guinness Beer: I love making Irish stew with a Guinness. You may use your favorite stout instead. If you don't want to use beer, add an extra ¼ cup of beef broth and ¼ teaspoon of extra Worcestershire sauce. The flavor won't be the same but it'll do in a pinch.
  • Beef broth: I like using low-sodium broths in my recipes. You can use chicken broth instead of beef broth if necessary.
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How To Make This Recipe

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a 2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Season lamb with the salt and pepper and brown on all sides, about 6 minutes. Remove the lamb from the pot and place on a plate.
  2. If no oil is left in the pot, add an additional ½ tablespoon of oil and stir in the chopped onions and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally until the onions are translucent, about 2 minutes.
  3. Add the garlic and cook, stirring occasionally for 30 seconds. As you might imagine, the aroma coming from your kitchen will be incredible.
  4. Add the tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce and cook, stirring constantly for 30 seconds.
  5. Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables. Stir until the there is no visible flour and the vegetables look slightly mushy from the flour coating, 1 minute.
  6. Pour in the beer and dried thyme. Stir until the beer has reduced and has slightly thickened.
  7. Add the broth and return the lamb to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot and simmer for 25 minutes. Stir occasionally and make sure the stew stays at a very low simmer.
  8. Add the potatoes and carrots to the stew. Cover the pot again and continue cooking on low heat for another 25 minutes. When done, the meat should be tender and flake apart easily and the potatoes cooked through. If not, cover the pot again and cook in additional 10 minute increments until cooked.
A piece of cooked lamb on a spoon in a bowl of stew next to three carrots

Expert Tips

  • Brown the lamb, or if you're making Irish beef stew - the beef. It's essential so please don't skip this step. Take the time to sear the meat, every single piece of it.
  • Don't toss the browned bits at the bottom of the pan after you've removed the meat. Those are like crispy gold - it's where much of the flavor is. Leave it and deglaze the pan when you add the Guinness.
  • Follow the steps in this recipe as written. It might be tempting to throw all of the vegetables in together to cook but don't. The potatoes and carrots will fall apart. Although you want them to be fairly soft, you don't want them to be mushy.
  • Taste before serving and feel free to add additional salt to suit your taste.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Should You Serve With Irish Stew?

Serve traditional Irish Stew with potatoes or rice. Irish soda bread also goes great with a big bowl of stew.
For dessert, you might like to consider using a little of any leftover Guinness in a delightful Guinness float.

How Do You Store Irish Stew?

Beef or lamb stew will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days and can be frozen for up to 2 months. Freeze the stew in an airtight container then thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

What Size Pot Do You Use For An Irish Stew For One?

I use a 2-quart saucepan in this Irish stew recipe, for best results use a pot of similar size.

For more information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page.
For examples of the dishes used at One Dish Kitchen, please visit our Store page.

A bowl of irish stew with a can of guinness stout, carrots, and celery in the background.

Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients

If you have any ingredients leftover from this Irish stew you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:

  • Lamb or beef: Beef Stroganoff, Steak Salad, Beef Fajitas, Carne Asada
  • Onions: Beef Enchiladas, Zuppa Toscana, Beef Chili, Taco Soup
  • Celery: Baked Stuffed Fish, Potato Salad, Jambalaya, Clam Chowder
  • Garlic: Shrimp Fettuccine, Lemon and Garlic Chicken, Buttered Noodles, Shepherd's Pie
  • Tomato paste: Crawfish Pasta, Beef and Cheese Pita Pizza, Chicken Tagine
  • Worcestershire sauce: Baked Beans, Mini Meatloaf, Reuben Sandwich, Buffalo Chicken Tenders
  • Guinness: Guinness Float
  • Beef broth: Swedish Meatballs, Beef Stew, Vegetable Soup, Taco Soup
  • Potatoes: Potato Soup, Scalloped Potatoes, Hash Browns, Chicken Stew
  • Carrots: Chicken and Dumplings, Roasted Carrots, Curried Carrot Soup, Carrot Souffle

If you’ve tried this easy Irish stew recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.

If you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!

a white bowl filled with irish stew next to raw carrots and celery

Irish Stew For One

An incredibly delicious Irish stew recipe made with tender lamb or beef, plenty of carrots and potatoes all simmering in a rich, beer based broth. Easy to make, hearty, and extra comforting.
5 from 17 votes
Print Pin Rate
See the post above for expert tips,
FAQs and ways to use leftover ingredients.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Irish
Servings: 1 serving
Calories: 564kcal
Author: Joanie Zisk

Video

Equipment

  • 2 quart saucepan

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (plus ½ tablespoon more if necessary - see step 2)
  • 5 ounces lamb , cut into 1-inch cubes
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt , divided
  • ⅛ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
  • ½ cup chopped onions
  • 1 celery stalk , chopped
  • 1 clove garlic , minced
  • ½ tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon all purpose flour
  • ¼ cup Guinness beer
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 2 small baby red potatoes , scrubbed and cubed
  • 1 medium carrot , peeled and cut into ½-inch slices
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a 2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Season lamb with the salt and pepper and brown on all sides, about 6 minutes. Remove the lamb from the pot and place on a plate.
  • If no oil is left in the pot, add an additional ½ tablespoon of oil and stir in the chopped onions and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally until the onions are translucent, about 2 minutes.
  • Add the garlic and cook, stirring occasionally for 30 seconds.
  • Add the tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce and cook, stirring constantly for 30 seconds.
  • Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables. Stir until the there is no visible flour and the vegetables look slightly mushy from the flour coating, 1 minute.
  • Pour in the beer and dried thyme. Stir until the beer has reduced and has slightly thickened.
  • Add the broth and return the lamb to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot and simmer for 25 minutes. Stir occasionally and make sure the stew stays at a very low simmer.
  • Add the potatoes and carrots to the stew. Cover the pot again and continue cooking on low heat for another 25 minutes. When done, the meat should be tender and flake apart easily and the potatoes cooked through. If not, cover the pot again and cook in additional 10 minute increments until cooked.
  • Pour into a bowl and enjoy hot.

Notes

Expert Tips

  • Brown the lamb, or if you're making Irish beef stew - the beef. It's essential so please don't skip this step. Take the time to sear the meat, every single piece of it.
  • Don't toss the browned bits at the bottom of the pan after you've removed the meat. Those are like crispy gold - it's where much of the flavor is. Leave it and deglaze the pan when you add the Guinness.
  • Follow the steps in this recipe as written. It might be tempting to throw all of the vegetables in together to cook but don't. The potatoes and carrots will fall apart. Although you want them to be fairly soft, you don't want them to be mushy.
  • Taste before serving and feel free to add additional salt to suit your taste.

Nutrition Facts
Irish Stew For One
Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
Calories 564 Calories from Fat 198
% Daily Value*
Fat 22g34%
Saturated Fat 4g25%
Polyunsaturated Fat 10g
Monounsaturated Fat 6g
Cholesterol 90mg30%
Sodium 882mg38%
Potassium 1348mg39%
Carbohydrates 25g8%
Fiber 4g17%
Sugar 9g10%
Protein 31g62%
Vitamin A 10499IU210%
Vitamin C 13mg16%
Calcium 88mg9%
Iron 4mg22%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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About Joanie Zisk

Joanie Zisk is the creator of OneDishKitchen.com, the number one go-to site for single serving recipes. The aim of One Dish Kitchen is to inspire individuals with access to single serving recipes that will enable them to enjoy the preparation of a meal that will nourish both body and soul. Her website is filled with hundreds of easy, flavorful recipes that are tailored for those cooking for one. Joanie is the author of "The Ultimate Cooking For One Cookbook" and her recipes and food photography have been featured in various publications including, TODAY.com, Huffington Post, Real Simple, Self.com,Women’s Day, Buzzfeed, and others. Come say hello and follow Joanie on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and LinkedIn.

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Rebecca says

    March 22, 2020 at 6:49 pm

    This was delicious!

    Reply
  2. Emily Liao says

    February 28, 2020 at 6:01 pm

    This irish stew is SO delicious and has tons of flavor! Will definitely be whipping this up for st. pattys day 🙂

    Reply
  3. cyndy says

    February 28, 2020 at 5:30 pm

    This looks really authentic!

    Reply
  4. Sandhya Hariharan says

    February 28, 2020 at 5:17 pm

    Thank you for sharing a such a delicious Irish Stew Recipe.

    Reply
  5. Jenn says

    February 28, 2020 at 5:13 pm

    This looks sooo good, and I bet the Guinness really makes it taste extra special! Can't wait to try it!

    Reply
  6. Kushigalu says

    February 28, 2020 at 4:51 pm

    So many flavors in this stew recipe. Can't wait to try. Delicious!

    Reply
  7. Jennie Mason says

    February 28, 2020 at 3:41 pm

    Is there a substitute you would recommend for the beer? I’m not a beer or wine drinker so very impracticable to buy a 6 pack or a bottle of wine for this recipe. Just me so no one else to drink it either. Would love to try this. It sounds so good! Thank you!

    Reply
    • Joanie Zisk says

      February 28, 2020 at 4:19 pm

      Hi Jennie,
      If you don’t want to use alcohol, use a good beef broth and a dash or two of extra Worcestershire sauce instead.
      Enjoy!
      Joanie

      Reply
      • Debbie says

        February 29, 2020 at 4:39 pm

        Joanie the recipe instructions say add garlic, bu5 it’s not listed in the ingredients so I just guessed 1 clove. Can you verify that please. Thanks.

      • Joanie Zisk says

        February 29, 2020 at 8:24 pm

        Hi Debbie,
        Yes, 1 clove of garlic.

        Thank you.
        Joanie

    • Nadine Flores says

      March 01, 2020 at 10:53 pm

      It’s possible for you to buy just one can of beer.

      Reply
      • Joanie Zisk says

        March 02, 2020 at 7:07 am

        Hi Nadine,
        It really depends on the store you shop in. I am able to buy one can of beer at my local grocery in Houston (HEB) as well as in local wine and beer shops.

    • Jon Dion says

      April 06, 2020 at 7:15 am

      Not sure about liquor stores near you, but a lot of the ones I go to, have single cans you can buy, so that might be an option you could go with

      Reply
  8. Syble says

    February 28, 2020 at 2:13 pm

    Is there a good non-alcoholic substitute for the Guinness.? Thanks

    Reply
    • Joanie Zisk says

      February 28, 2020 at 4:21 pm

      Yes, Syble. If you don’t want to use alcohol, use a good beef broth and a dash or two of extra Worcestershire sauce instead.

      Joanie

      Reply
  9. Ryan says

    February 28, 2020 at 12:51 pm

    Hi Joanie, I believe the 1 day, 40 minutes total cook time is an oops. I wanted to let you know so you’re not bombarded by questions. I’m making this tonight as it looks delish!

    Reply
    • Joanie Zisk says

      February 28, 2020 at 4:21 pm

      Thanks for catching that. Fixed it!
      Have a wonderful weekend!
      Joanie

      Reply
  10. Maria says

    February 25, 2020 at 8:38 am

    Hi,
    I would like to try this recipe could i just chuck everything in the slow cooker For when I get home from work ? Or not recommended thank you

    Reply
    • Joanie Zisk says

      February 26, 2020 at 11:24 am

      Hi Maria,
      I haven't tested this recipe in a slow cooker but I believe it would work. For small batch and single serving recipes like this one, I recommend using a small 1.5-quart to 2-quart slow cooker. If you have time, I would also recommend searing the lamb or beef first before adding it to the slow cooker simply because it will give the meat more flavor. Cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 6-7 hours. If you make the stew in a slow cooker, please let me know how the recipe worked for you.

      Thank you.
      Joanie

      Reply
      • Maria says

        February 28, 2020 at 7:20 am

        Hi Joanie,
        Thank you for your reply
        I made this in the slow cooker seared the meat it worked out beautifully absolutely delishous I will be making again thank you so much.

      • Joanie Zisk says

        February 28, 2020 at 9:59 am

        Maria,

        I'm so happy the recipe worked well in the slow cooker. Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know, this will be so helpful to our readers.

        Joanie

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Welcome to One Dish Kitchen, I’m Joanie and I’m incredibly happy you’re here! Our aim is to inspire individuals with access to single serving recipes, education, and a supportive community that will enable them to enjoy the preparation of a meal that will nourish both body and soul.

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