Irish Beef Stew - with Keto Options - Instant Pot Recipe - Life Made Sweeter (2024)

This post may contain affiliate links. We receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using our links. Please see our Privacy Policy for more details.

Jump to Recipe

Irish Beef Stew – a rich, hearty and flavorful Instant Pot recipe made with tender beef, Guinness beer, potatoes, carrots, celery and onions. Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day or any cold day. With gluten free / low carb / keto options.

Irish Beef Stew - with Keto Options - Instant Pot Recipe - Life Made Sweeter (1)

PIN HERE for later and follow my boards for more recipe ideas

There’s nothing more comforting on a cold day than a big pot of homemade beef stew. It’s the ultimate comfort food that can warm you up even on the coldest day.

My family is crazy about beef stew and we usually rotate between:

  1. this classic homemade hearty beef stew made on the stove
  2. a slow cooker beef stew
  3. instant pot beef stew

And since St. Patrick’s Day is coming up, we added a little bit of Guinness stout for this Irish Beef Stew.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE WITH BEEF STEW AND IRISH STEW?

Irish stew is traditionallymade with Guinness beer, mature lamb (year old) or mutton, potatoes, onions, and water, and is simply cooked low and slow.

Irish Beef Stew - with Keto Options - Instant Pot Recipe - Life Made Sweeter (2)

Instead of lamb, today’s Irish beef stew recipe uses beef chuck roast, Guinness stout, potatoes, carrots, onions and peas. Feel free to substitute any of the ingredients with what you like or have on hand.

WHAT INGREDIENTS DO I NEED TO MAKE IRISH GUINNESS BEEF STEW?

Irish Beef Stew - with Keto Options - Instant Pot Recipe - Life Made Sweeter (3)

  • beef chuck roast
  • salt & pepper
  • onion powder
  • oregano
  • thyme
  • rosemary
  • flour
  • onion
  • garlic
  • tomato paste
  • Guinness Extra Stout (leave out for low carb, keto & paleo)
  • Yukon potatoes (swap with turnips for low carb / keto)
  • carrots (leave out for keto)
  • celery
  • peas (leave out for keto)
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • bay leaf
  • beef broth
  • water

HOW TO MAKE INSTANT POT IRISH BEEF STEW

  1. You’re going to start by combining the flour, salt, pepper, onion powder, oregano, thyme and rosemary into a large zip-top bag. Add the meat and shake until well coated..

  2. BROWN THE MEAT: Set the Instant Pot to SAUTE, add cooking oil and brown the meat on all sides. The meat will not be cooked through which is okay – we just want to add that crispy caramel coating. (Do not crowd the pot – you may have to work in batches). Transfer browned meat onto a large plate.

  3. Place the inner pot back in the instant pot pressure cooker and add onions and garlic and sauté for a minute or two. Add the Guinness beer and tomato paste until just hot enough to deglaze the pot, about 1 minute.

  4. Add the browned beef back into the pot along with potatoes, carrots, celery, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaf and beef broth. Stir to combine. If there is not enough liquid to cover the vegetables, add water – only as much as needed.

  5. Cover and seal the lid and set to 20 minutes with High Pressure on Manual mode. Allow the pressure cooker to release naturally for at least 15 minutes. Add peas and adjust seasonings with salt and pepper if necessary. Serve hot with fresh parsley.

  6. TO THICKEN THE STEW (OPTIONAL) Make a slurry by whisking 3 tablespoons of cool water with 2-3 tablespoons cornstarch or flour (all purpose, gluten free or arrowroot powder). Set the Instant Pot to SAUTE and allow the stew to come to a boil and thicken up.

TIPS FOR MAKING THE BEST IRISH BEEF STEW:

  1. What type of meat do I use for Irish beef stew? We prefer using beef chuck since I find it produces the most tender beef but if you are in a pinch, you can use beef stew meat
  2. What is the best pressure cooker for making Irish beef stew? (Affiliate link) Be sure to use at least a 6 quart Instant Pot pressure cooker for this recipe. I use the 6 Quart DUO PLUS.
  3. Can I skip browning the meat? While you can skip this step, I would definitely brown the beef in the Instant Pot prior to adding the other ingredients. It’s an extra, more involved step but completely worth it for that caramelized and hearty depth and extra layer of flavor you get. On those days you are pressed for time, you are totally free to skip the browning if you’d prefer an easy dump and go recipe.
  4. What vegetables are in Irish beef stew? Can I use russet potatoes in beef stew? Our Irish beef stew recipe includes carrots, celery and we recommend Yukon potatoes over Russet since Russet potatoes are high in starch and break down in soups and stew. If you want a low carb / keto option, you can use turnips or cauliflower instead of potatoes.
  5. What other key ingredients do I need to make the best Irish beef stew? Add some tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, Guinness Extra Stout and maybe even a star anise for a punch of flavor. If you can’t find a star anise or are not a fan, feel free to leave it out.
Irish Beef Stew - with Keto Options - Instant Pot Recipe - Life Made Sweeter (4)

CAN YOU MAKE IRISH BEEF STEW AHEAD OF TIME?

Yes, the great thing about this Instant Pot Irish Beef Stew recipe is that it works great for meal prep. Here are a few tips:

  • chop the carrots and celery the day before and add them to a zip-top freezer bag in the fridge
  • peel and chop the potatoes and onions and store them in a zip-top freezer bag in the freezer. This prevents the potatoes from changing color and the onions from spreading odors in the fridge.
  • cut the beef into chunks and place in zip-top freezer bags. Store in the fridge.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH IRISH BEEF STEW?

  • crusty bread
  • Roasted Broccoli
  • mashed potatoes

Irish Beef Stew - with Keto Options - Instant Pot Recipe - Life Made Sweeter (5)

More Instant Pot recipes you might like:

Pressure Cooker Pot Roast

Creamy Mashed Potatoes in the Instant Pot

Creamy Lemon Chicken with Garlic in the Instant Pot

5 from 1 vote

Irish Beef Stew - with Keto Options - Instant Pot Recipe - Life Made Sweeter (6)

Print

Irish Beef Stew

Prep Time

20 mins

Cook Time

20 mins

Total Time

40 mins

Irish Beef Stew - a rich, hearty and flavorful Instant Pot recipe made with tender beef, Guinness beer, potatoes, carrots, celery and onions. Perfect for St. Patrick's Day or any cold day.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Irish

Keyword: beef stew recipes, Instant Pot, instant pot stew, irish beef stew

Servings: 10 servings

Calories: 395 kcal

Author: Kelly

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 - 2 pounds beef chuck roast , trimmed and cut into 1 - 2 inch chunks (or if you can't find chuck roast - use beef stew meat)
  • 1 -2 teaspoons sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1/3 cup flour , use gluten free flour or arrowroot starch if needed (leave out for keto)
  • cooking oil
  • 1 medium onion cut into large chunks
  • 3-4 cloves garlic , minced
  • 6 Tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 bottle , 1 pint 16 oz Guinness Extra Stout
  • 4 medium Yukon potatoes , peeled and chopped into 1 inch chunks (sub with turnips or cauliflower for low carb / keto)
  • 3 medium carrots , peeled and cut into slices (leave out for low carb / keto)
  • 2 celery rubs , chopped
  • 1-2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 4 cups beef broth , homemade or low sodium
  • water as needed to cover the vegetables
  • 1-2 Tablespoons fresh chopped parsley for garnish
  • 1/2 star anise optional but adds SO much depth and flavor
  • 1/2 cup peas , leave out for keto
  • salt and pepper to taste

TO THICKEN STEW (OPTIONAL):

  • Make a slurry with 2 Tablespoons cornstarch or flour , all purpose, gluten free or arrowroot powder+ 3 tablespoons cool water
  • Instant Pot I have the 6 Quart DUO PLUS

Instructions

  1. In a large zip-top bag, combine flour, salt, pepper, onion powder, oregano, thyme and rosemary. Add meat and shake until well coated.

  2. Browning the meat: (feel free to skip to step 5 and add all the ingredients together instead). Set the Instant Pot to SAUTE, add cooking oil and brown the meat on all sides. Meat will not be cooked through. (Be sure not to crowd the pot - you may have to work in batches). Transfer browned meat onto a large plate.

  3. Place the pot back in the pressure cooker and add onions and garlic and sauté for a minute or two then add the Guinness stout and tomato paste until just hot enough to deglaze the pot, about 1 minute.

  4. Add the beef back into the pot along with potatoes, carrots, celery, Worcestershire sauce, the remaining 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, bay leaf, beef broth and (star anise if using). Stir to combine. If there is not enough liquid to cover the vegetables, add water - only as much as needed.

  5. Cover and seal the lid and set to 20 minutes with High Pressure on Manual mode. Allow the pressure cooker to release naturally for at least 15 minutes. Stir in the peas and adjust seasonings with salt and pepper if necessary (discard star anise if used). Serve hot with fresh parsley.

TO THICKEN STEW (OPTIONAL):

  1. Make a slurry by whisking 3 tablespoons of cool water with 2-3 tablespoons cornstarch or flour (all purpose, gluten free or arrowroot powder). Set the Instant Pot to SAUTE and allow the stew to come to a boil and thicken up.

Nutrition Facts

Irish Beef Stew

Amount Per Serving (1 serving)

Calories 395

% Daily Value*

Carbohydrates 20g7%

Fiber 3g12%

Sugar 3g3%

Protein 4g8%

* Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy using the WPRM recipe calculator. It is best to make your own calculations to ensure accuracy. We expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Irish Beef Stew - with Keto Options - Instant Pot Recipe - Life Made Sweeter (7)Did you try this recipe?

I'd love to see! Just snap a photo and hashtag it #LIFEMADESWEETER or tag me @lifemadesweeter on Instagram

Irish Beef Stew - with Keto Options - Instant Pot Recipe - Life Made Sweeter (8)

Free Low Carb / Keto Recipes E-Book!

Sign up now to get a FREE low carb / Keto-friendly recipe e-book, plus access to subscriber exclusives!

Irish Beef Stew - with Keto Options - Instant Pot Recipe - Life Made Sweeter (2024)

FAQs

How to add sweetness to beef stew? ›

If it tastes off-balance, add some finishing flavors to bring it to the next level. Try adding soy sauce or Worcestershire for extra savory (or umami) flavor, a touch of honey or brown sugar for sweetness, lemon zest or vinegar for brightness or chili powder or smoked paprika for spice and depth.

What gave the Irish stew its fresh flavor answer? ›

What gave the Irish stew its fresh flavour? - Quora. Simply by using good quality meat and FRESH vegetables, not frozen. While making stew, the woman of the house would go out to the kitchen garden and cut or pull what she needed, rinse them in cold water, chop them up and add them to the pot.

What is the difference between beef 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.

Why is my stew meat tough in Instant Pot? ›

Why is My Stew Meat Tough In Instant Pot? The cut of meat you select for stew plays a big role in its tenderness once cooked. Beef chuck roast, I find, is the best cut of meat for beef stew recipes. Be sure to also let your pressure release naturally.

What makes beef taste sweet? ›

Sweet flavor in meat is derived from sugars, amino acids and organic acids (Table 1). Sour flavors arise from amino acids coupled with organic acids. Inorganic salts and sodium salts of glutamate and aspartate generate saltiness.

What can I add to my beef stew to give it more flavor? ›

Add spices such as turmeric, coriander and cumin at the early stage of cooking, when you are frying onions and garlic, to enhance the taste of the beef stew. Fresh herbs like coriander and bay leaves also contribute a distinct flavour without making the dish too spicy for the younger members of the family.

What thickens Irish stew? ›

In addition to chuck beef and Guinness Beer, here are the other ingredients in Irish Stew. Flour and tomato paste – to thicken sauce and the tomato paste also adds some flavour; Guinness Beer and broth/liquid stock – the braising liquids.

Why is my Irish stew bitter? ›

Stouts, like Guinness, are known for their bitterness. If the stew is cooked too quickly or if it doesn't include ingredients to balance the bitterness, this flavor can be very pronounced.

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.

Why do Irish people eat Irish stew? ›

The origins of Irish stew are somewhat shrouded in mystery, but it's believed to have originated in the 17th or 18th century. At that time, the dish was often made by shepherds and rural farmers who had access to only a few ingredients but needed a nourishing meal to sustain them through long days of work.

What is the real name for Irish stew? ›

Irish stew (Irish: Stobhach Gaelach) or Stobhach is a stew native to Ireland that is traditionally made with root vegetables and lamb or mutton, but also commonly with beef.

How do you thicken Irish beef 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.

Can you overcook stew in a pressure cooker? ›

Unfortunately, once you overcook a piece of meat in the pressure cooker, there's no going back. You'll be left with a pile of dry, crunchy, tasteless fibers and no amount of additional pressure cooking is going to put that moisture back into the meat.

Do you cover meat with liquid in pressure cooker? ›

There's lots of water in the meat too, so even 1 cup added water will result in a fair amount of liquid after cooking. No you do not have to cover it. I usually do about 2 cups or so of stock.

What is the best meat to pressure cook? ›

You can still pressure cook leaner pieces – like eye of round and top sirloin – but these work best if they've been stuffed, shredded or rolled (with other ingredients). Best cuts of beef to use: Chuck steak, Round Roast, Shoulder, Pot roast, Ribs, Brisket, Oxtail.

How do you sweeten bitter stew? ›

Fats and sweetness can help smooth the bitter corners of a dish, just like they make coffee taste less bitter. So add a spoonful of sugar, cream or butter to tame that bitterness.

Is it good to add sugar to stew? ›

Stews are well-known for their salty and savory flavors. Adding a little sugar can help balance out those flavors, but it is easy to add too much.

How do you add sweetness to meat? ›

Step 2: Add sweetness.
  1. Brown sugar for color and caramelization. Its earthy flavor adds depth to a dish but a little bit goes a long way. ...
  2. White sugar for marinades and dressings. ...
  3. Honey for subtle sweetness.
Jan 26, 2015

What adds sweetness to soup? ›

To add sweetness without sugar, try coconut, vanilla, or date, suggests Clean Eating Magazine, but for many soup recipes, sugar can help turn up the flavor volume of the original recipe.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Van Hayes

Last Updated:

Views: 5941

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (46 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Van Hayes

Birthday: 1994-06-07

Address: 2004 Kling Rapid, New Destiny, MT 64658-2367

Phone: +512425013758

Job: National Farming Director

Hobby: Reading, Polo, Genealogy, amateur radio, Scouting, Stand-up comedy, Cryptography

Introduction: My name is Van Hayes, I am a thankful, friendly, smiling, calm, powerful, fine, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.