Ingredients

• 2 12 oz. bottles of Guinness beer
• 1 ½ lb ground chuck
• Bacon, chopped (about 4-6 slices)
• ½ cabbage, chopped
• 3 carrots, chopped
• 3 onions, 2 chopped and 1 for garnish

• 5-6 garlic cloves, minced
• Parsley, chopped (for garnish)
• Rosemary (a few sprigs)
• Thyme (a few sprigs)
• 3 bay leaves
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 cup red wine
• 1 stick of butter
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 4 potatoes, peeled and chopped (for mashed potatoes)

Method

1. Cook the Bacon and Brown the Chuck:

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the chopped bacon until crispy. Remove the cooked bacon and set it aside.
2. Cut the ground chuck into 3-inch pieces and brown it in the bacon grease. Make sure to brown all sides of the meat. Once browned, remove the chuck from the pot and place it on a paper towel to drain excess grease.

2. Prepare the Stew Base:

1. In the same pot, heat some oil and add 1 chopped onion. Cook the onion for about 5 minutes until softened.
2. Add the chopped carrot, minced garlic, and tomato paste to the pot. Stir and cook for a few minutes.
3. Pour in one bottle of Guinness beer and return the browned chuck to the pot.
4. Add the red wine, the remaining bottle of Guinness beer, beef broth, bay leaves, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir to combine.
5. Place a few sprigs of rosemary and thyme in the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer for 70 minutes.

3. Add Vegetables and Cook:

1. After 70 minutes, add the remaining 2 chopped onions, chopped carrots, and chopped cabbage to the stew. Stir to combine.
2. Cover the pot again and continue cooking for an additional 40 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and the stew has thickened.

4. Make Mashed Potatoes:

1. While the stew is cooking, prepare mashed potatoes. Boil the peeled and chopped potatoes until tender. Drain the water and return the potatoes to the pot.
2. Add a stick of butter to the potatoes and mash until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

5. Serve:

1. To plate, scoop a generous portion of mashed potatoes into a bowl or plate. Ladle the Guinness beef stew over the mashed potatoes.
2. Garnish with the reserved crispy bacon, chopped parsley, and a sprinkle of black pepper.
3. Serve the Irish Stew hot and enjoy the rich flavors of the tender meat and hearty vegetables.