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    Home / British / Irish Kitchen / Beef and Ale Stew

    Beef and Ale Stew

    Chunks of beef braised low and slow in dark ale until they surrender into fork-tender ribbons, surrounded by sweet carrots and a rich, glossy gravy.

    ⏱ 25 minPrep time
    🔥 3 hrCook time
    🍽 6Servings
    🏷 British / Irish KitchenCategory
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    Chunks of beef braised low and slow in dark ale until they surrender into fork-tender ribbons, surrounded by sweet carrots and a rich, glossy gravy. It’s the kind of stew that fills the kitchen with a deep, malty aroma and makes everyone wander in asking when dinner’s ready.

    Beef and ale is a beloved pairing in British pubs, where a sturdy pint often finds its way into the pot as well as the glass. Serve with crusty bread or mashed potatoes to soak up every last drop.

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    Step by stepInstructions

    1. Season the beef with salt and pepper and toss with the flour. Heat 2 tbsp oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat and brown the beef in batches until deeply browned on all sides; set aside.
    2. Reduce the heat to medium, add the remaining oil, onions, carrots, and celery; cook until softened, about 8 minutes. Stir in the garlic and tomato paste and cook 1 minute more.
    3. Pour in the ale, scraping up any browned bits, and let it bubble for 2 minutes.
    4. Return the beef to the pot with the broth, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, and thyme. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook gently for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
    5. Uncover and simmer 30 minutes more, until the beef is fork-tender and the sauce has thickened. Remove the bay leaves and thyme, season to taste, and serve hot.

    💡 Chef tips & storage

    Browning the meat in small batches is the secret to a deep, rich gravy — crowd the pan and it steams instead. A cheap cut like chuck is perfect here; the long simmer does the tenderizing.

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    Recipe details

    Prep25 min
    Cook3 hr
    Servings6
    CategoryBritish / Irish Kitchen
    PublishedAugust 17, 2026
    Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

    Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

    Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →

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