Print

Cozy Guinness Beef Stew with Cheddar Dumplings

guinness beef stew with cheddar dumplings - featured image
Print Recipe

A hearty and comforting beef stew enriched with Guinness stout and topped with cheesy cheddar dumplings, perfect for cold days and easy weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
  • 2 tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 large carrots, peeled and sliced into rounds
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 bottle (11.2 oz / 330 ml) Guinness stout
  • 2 cups (480 ml) beef broth
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
  • 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 4 tbsp (60 g) cold unsalted butter, cubed
  • ¾ cup (75 g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • ⅓ cup (80 ml) whole milk
  • 1 large egg

Instructions

  1. Pat the beef cubes dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper. (10 minutes)
  2. Heat 2 tbsp oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown beef in batches, about 5 minutes per batch. Remove browned beef and set aside. (15 minutes)
  3. Lower heat to medium. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and fragrant, about 7 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute. (10 minutes)
  4. Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes to deepen the flavor.
  5. Pour in the Guinness stout and scrape the bottom of the pot to loosen browned bits. Let simmer for 3 minutes to reduce slightly.
  6. Return beef to pot. Add beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, dried thyme, and a pinch more salt and pepper. Stir gently.
  7. Bring to a low simmer, cover with lid slightly ajar, and cook for 1.5 to 2 hours or until beef is tender. Stir occasionally and add broth if stew gets too thick. (90-120 minutes)
  8. While stew simmers, mix flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Cut in cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese.
  9. In a separate bowl, whisk together milk and egg, then add to flour mixture. Stir just until combined, do not overmix. (15 minutes)
  10. Remove bay leaves from stew. Drop spoonfuls of dumpling dough onto the surface of the simmering stew, spacing them apart. Cover and cook for 15-20 minutes until dumplings puff up and edges turn golden.
  11. Garnish stew with chopped fresh parsley. Serve hot with dumplings, beef, and vegetables. (5 minutes)

Notes

If stew is too thin before adding dumplings, simmer uncovered for 10 more minutes to thicken. Keep lid slightly off when cooking dumplings to prevent sticking. Dumpling dough can be refrigerated for up to an hour before cooking. For gluten-free dumplings, use gluten-free flour blend with xanthan gum. For dairy-free, substitute milk and cheese with plant-based alternatives but expect flavor changes. Slow cooker option: brown beef and veggies, then cook on low 6-8 hours; add dumplings fresh at the end.

Nutrition

Keywords: Guinness beef stew, cheddar dumplings, comfort food, beef stew recipe, Irish stew, easy stew, cold weather recipe

Find it online: https://katedishes.com/cozy-guinness-beef-stew-with-cheddar-dumplings-easy-homemade-recipe-for-cold-days/