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Cozy Guinness Beef Stew Recipe with Easy Cheddar Herb Dumplings

Guinness beef stew - featured image
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A rich and hearty beef stew simmered with Guinness stout and fresh herbs, topped with fluffy cheddar herb dumplings. This comforting meal is perfect for chilly evenings and easy to prepare with simple ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 2 stalks celery, sliced
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 bottle (12 oz) Guinness Draught stout
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, finely chopped
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
  • For the Cheddar Herb Dumplings:
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
  • ½ cup whole milk
  • ¾ cup sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
  • 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped

Instructions

  1. Season the cubed beef generously with salt and pepper, then toss with the flour until evenly coated.
  2. Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add beef cubes in batches and brown on all sides, about 5–7 minutes per batch. Remove beef and set aside.
  3. Lower heat to medium. Add onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook until softened, about 8 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for another minute.
  4. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes. Pour in Guinness, scraping up browned bits from the bottom. Let simmer for 3 minutes.
  5. Return beef to the pot. Add beef broth, thyme, and bay leaf. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours until beef is fork-tender.
  6. While stew simmers, mix flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Cut in cold butter until crumbly. Stir in milk, cheddar, and chives until just combined.
  7. Once stew is tender, drop spoonfuls of dumpling batter (about 1 tablespoon each) onto the surface. Cover and simmer gently for 15 minutes without lifting the lid.
  8. Remove bay leaf. Taste stew and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

Do not overcrowd the pot when browning beef to ensure proper searing. Keep the butter cold when making dumplings for best texture. Avoid lifting the lid while dumplings cook to retain steam. Fresh herbs enhance flavor but dried can be used in smaller amounts. For gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with almond or gluten-free flour. For dairy-free, use dairy-free milk and vegan cheese.

Nutrition

Keywords: Guinness beef stew, cheddar herb dumplings, comfort food, Irish stew, easy beef stew, cozy dinner, hearty stew

Find it online: https://emmayum.com/cozy-guinness-beef-stew-recipe-with-easy-cheddar-herb-dumplings/