Beef, Stout & Chocolate Stew
St. Patrick’s Day, celebrated on March 17 every year, serves as a tribute to Ireland and one of its patron saints, St Patrick. What better way to celebrate than with Guinness Stout, always associated with Ireland, and the base of this stew that is made all the better with chocolate…
Ingredients (serves 4)
- 750g diced beef
- 30g (1/4 cup) plain flour
- 2 large brown onions, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 6 medium carrots, thinly sliced
- 150g mushrooms, sliced
- 2 leeks, sliced and washed
- 1 tbs tomato paste
- 1 litre (4 cups) beef stock
- 350ml stout (such as Guinness)
- 100g dark chocolate, roughly chopped
Method
Place the diced beef and flour in a plastic sealable bag and then shake to coat all the pieces of beef in the flour.
Heat a small amount of oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add some of the beef and brown on all sides. Remove browned beef and place in a bowl. Continue until all beef has been browned.
Reduce heat to medium with a small amount of oil. Add onions and cook for 3 – 4 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Add garlic and cook for a further minute. Next add the browned beef, carrots, mushrooms, leeks, tomato paste, stock, beer (and any herbs you desire – try a bay leave and thyme sprigs). Stir well.
Reduce heat to low and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 2 – 3 hours or until beef is tender and sauce thickens. Remove from heat, discard any herbs you used, and then add the chocolate and stir until well combined and the chocolate melts. Serve – with mashed potatoes or crusty bread.
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Thanks for posting this! I never would have thought to add chocolate to beef stew! I am definitely going to try this recipe out. Is there a particular type of dark chocolate that you would recommend?
I favour Lindt or Green & Blacks. The Chilli Dark Chocolate from Lindt was what I use most for this recipe…
Irish Stew with *chocolate* has definitely caught my eye. Sitting here wondering if my 5 year old will try this knowing there’s chocolate in it. She’s a little finicky right now but this just might work.