Slow Cooker Irish Beef Stew
A cozy, easy-to-make slow cooker Irish beef stew with tender beef, root vegetables, and fresh herbs, perfect for chilly evenings and minimal fuss.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7-8 hours (low) or 4-5 hours (high)
- Total Time: 7 hours 15 minutes (low) or 4 hours 15 minutes (high)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Irish
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
- 3 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
- 4 medium potatoes (Yukon Gold or red), peeled and diced
- 1 cup pearl onions, peeled (frozen pearl onions can be used)
- 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 3–4 fresh thyme sprigs (optional)
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Pat the beef chuck cubes dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and black pepper.
- Optional: Brown the beef cubes in a hot skillet over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes per side until nicely browned.
- Peel and chop carrots and potatoes into bite-sized chunks. If using fresh pearl onions, blanch in boiling water for 1 minute and peel; frozen pearl onions can be added directly.
- Layer the browned beef at the bottom of the slow cooker, followed by carrots, potatoes, and pearl onions. Add fresh thyme sprigs on top.
- Pour in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Stir gently to combine without disturbing the layering too much.
- Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until beef is fork-tender and vegetables are soft but not mushy.
- About 15 minutes before serving, taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Remove thyme sprigs before serving.
Notes
Browning the beef before slow cooking adds deeper flavor but is optional. Use frozen pearl onions to save time. Avoid lifting the slow cooker lid during cooking to maintain heat. Adjust seasoning at the end to avoid over-salting. For a richer flavor, add ½ cup Irish stout beer. This recipe is naturally gluten-free but check Worcestershire sauce for gluten content or substitute with tamari if needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1.5 cups (350g
- Calories: 350
- Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Protein: 30
Keywords: slow cooker, Irish beef stew, easy stew, comfort food, 5-ingredient stew, cozy meals, beef stew, slow simmer