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.
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.
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Notes
Expert Tips
Sear the meat: Whether you're using lamb or opting for beef, browning the meat is crucial. Do not skip this step and make sure to sear every piece of meat thoroughly.
Preserve the browned bits: After removing the meat, keep the browned bits left at the bottom of the pan. These crispy residuals are packed with flavor. Rather than removing them, use the Guinness to deglaze the pan and incorporate this flavor back into the stew.
Follow the recipe sequence: Resist the urge to cook all the vegetables simultaneously. Adding potatoes and carrots together can result in them becoming mushy. While we want them tender, maintaining some texture is important.
Adjust seasoning before serving: Always taste your stew before serving. Depending on your preference, you might need to add additional salt for enhanced flavor.