Description
A hearty Irish Beef Stew featuring tender stew meat simmered with carrots, onions, garlic, and aromatic herbs in a rich beef broth, thickened with a classic butter and flour roux, and served over creamy mashed potatoes for a comforting meal perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Stew Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lb stew meat
- 4 large carrots, peeled and chopped
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ¼ teaspoon thyme
- ¼ teaspoon rosemary
- 1 bay leaf
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 cup frozen peas
Roux Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter (softened)
- 2 tablespoons flour
Serving
- Mashed potatoes for serving
Instructions
- Brown the Stew Meat: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the stew meat and brown it on all sides until well seared, about 5-7 minutes. This seals in the juices and builds rich flavor.
- Add Vegetables and Spices: Add the chopped carrots, diced onion, minced garlic, thyme, rosemary, bay leaf, salt, and pepper to the pot. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften and become fragrant.
- Simmer the Stew: Pour in the beef broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits stuck to the bottom for extra flavor. Cover the pot and reduce the heat to low. Let the stew simmer gently for 2 to 4 hours, or until the beef is tender and the flavors have melded beautifully.
- Make the Roux and Thicken: In a small bowl, combine the softened butter and flour to make a roux. Stir this mixture into the simmering stew along with the frozen peas. Continue to cook and stir for about 10 minutes until the stew thickens to a rich consistency.
- Serve: Remove the bay leaf from the stew. Ladle the hearty Irish beef stew over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes and serve hot for a satisfying comfort meal.
Notes
- For extra depth, brown the stew meat in batches to avoid overcrowding the pot.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper after the stew has thickened.
- The stew can be made a day ahead; flavors will deepen overnight.
- Use homemade or store-bought mashed potatoes according to preference.
- Substitute peas with other vegetables like green beans or parsnips if desired.
