a simple real food recipe :: crockpot irish beef stew

I have been perfecting this stew for the last few years.Every March I get excited about it – and I’m not even Irish! Well there might be a little mixed in there on my mom’s side…probably most noted in my inherent love for good beer 😉This is just my take on flavors we love – change things up to your taste! If you are looking for a more traditional beef stew recipe try my original beef stew recipe HERE.

You’ll need:

2 lbs grassfed beef stew meat (our farm carries packages of cubed up stew meat – it is cheaper than buying an actual roast. Just get a roast if you don’t have the stew meat option. You will have to cube it up yourself.)
3ish cups Irish beer of your choosing
3 cloves smashed garlic

1. The night before you want to make the stew, combine these ingredients in a gallon freezer bag and seal tight.
2. Store in the fridge 12-24 hours to marinate the meat.

1 cup arrowroot powder
2  tsp sea salt
1 tsp pepper

1. The next day, combine these ingredients in a small mixing bowl.
2. Strain out the meat from the marinade – BUT DON’T THROW OUT THE BEER/MARINADE.
3. Coat the meat in the arrowroot mixture and fry in a VERY HOT fry pan coated with butter, tallow, or coconut oil. Just sear up the sides to light brownish.
4. Once the meat is seared put it in your crockpot. I use my electric fry pan so I can do bigger batches – you don’t want to do all the meat at once – give them some space.

4-5 carrots, chopped
½ head cabbage, sliced
2 onions, chopped
2 large tomatoes, seeded and juices scooped out, chopped
5 small yellow or red potatoes, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups of the reserved beer marinade from above
2-3 cups beef stock or chicken stock

1. Once the beef is done searing, add it to the crockpot along with the rest of these ingredients.
2. Stir to combine and cook on low for 8 hours.
3. Salt and pepper to taste.

Kitchen Tips:

1. Please DON’T BE INTIMIDATED. This looks like a lot because I wanted to explain myself but it comes together real quick. The night before you can get the meat in the marinade and chop up all  your veggies. Keep your chopped veggies in a bag in the fridge so all you have to do is dump in the crock in the morning. Once you get that meat seared up (takes maybe 10 minutes or so) then the crockpot does the rest for you!
2. This makes a large crockpot full. You could half it if you want less leftovers. It freezes up fantastic so don’t be afraid of leftovers 😉
3. Serve with Irish soda bread! I will post a grain free version we love on Wednesday 😉
4. HERE is another great beef stew recipe, more traditional in flavor if that is more your style.
5. You can blend up or shred the meat with a fork if you need to for little mouths. My 3 ½ year old does fine, but I did that for my 1 ½ year old. They both love stew and eat this right up 😉 You could also puree it up completely if that makes it easier.

YOUR TURN!

What are your St. Patty’s Day meal plans??

This post was shared at The Polikva Family’s Family Table Tuesday, and Real Food Forager’s Fat Tuesday!