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Rich Guinness Beef Stew with Dark Chocolate and Thyme
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Course Main Course
Cuisine Irish
Servings 4 people

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker
  • Skillet
  • Knife

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 pounds beef stew meat, cut into chunks
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 12 ounces Guinness stout
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 2 ounces dark chocolate (70% cacao), chopped
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef in batches, season with salt and pepper, and brown on all sides. Transfer the seared meat to the slow cooker.
  • Add the onion, carrots, and garlic to the same skillet. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring often, then sprinkle in the flour and stir for 1 minute more.
  • Pour the Guinness and beef broth into the skillet, scraping up any browned bits. Bring to a quick simmer, then transfer everything to the slow cooker.
  • Stir in the chopped dark chocolate and tuck the thyme sprigs into the liquid.
  • Cover and cook on low for 8 hours, until the beef is fork-tender.
  • Remove the thyme sprigs before serving. Taste and adjust salt if needed.

Notes

Stir the chocolate in at the beginning so it melts fully into the broth. If the sauce seems thin at the end, remove the lid for the last 30 minutes to thicken it. Leftovers reheat well the next day and the flavors deepen overnight.
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Irish
Equipment: Slow Cooker, Skillet, Knife