How authentic Irish stew is made
by DW Food
Irish stew is the heart of Irish comfort food—a cherished national dish celebrated for its simplicity and wholesome flavours. This slow-cooked classic brings together tender meat, potatoes, and onions in a beautifully flavoured broth that has nourished Irish families for generations. In this recipe, we adapt the traditional method for the slow cooker, making it even easier to achieve that authentic taste with minimal effort. The result is a steaming bowl of pure comfort, perfect for chilly evenings and gatherings with loved ones
Watch: How authentic Irish stew is made
Original recipe video — click to play
Original method: Approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour traditional method
Ingredients
Main
- 800 g Beef or lamb chuck, cut into chunks, cut into 5cm chunks
Traditionally beef or mutton; lamb also works well
- 800 g Potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
Use floury potatoes for best texture
- 500 g Onions, peeled and quartered
Large onions, left in chunks for authentic flavour
- 1000 ml Beef or lamb stock, good quality stock
Use homemade stock for authentic flavour if possible
Seasoning
- to taste Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Season generously to taste
Garnish
- 30 g Fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped(optional)
Add in the final 15 minutes of cooking
For colour and fresh flavour
Method
- 1Optional step
If desired, heat a little oil in a large frying pan and brown the meat chunks on all sides in batches. This step adds depth of flavour, though it is optional.
~10 minsTip: Recommended for enhanced flavour
- 2
Place the meat, potatoes, and onions into your slow cooker.
~5 minsTip: Layer ingredients evenly
- 3
Pour the stock over the ingredients and season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
~3 minsTip: Stir gently to combine
- 4
Cover and cook on Low for 8 hours or High for 5 hours, until the meat is very tender and the potatoes have broken down slightly to thicken the broth naturally.
Tip: Do not lift the lid during cooking
- 5
In the final 15 minutes of cooking, taste and adjust the seasoning, then stir in the fresh parsley if using.
~15 minsTip: Fresh herbs are added late to preserve their flavour and colour
- 6
Ladle into bowls and serve hot, with crusty bread on the side.
~5 minsTip: Serve immediately while piping hot
Nutrition
Detailed nutritional information is coming soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Traditionally, Irish stew is made with mutton or beef, though lamb also works beautifully. The meat should have good marbling and flavour, as it slow-cooks into tender, succulent pieces. Chuck or stewing beef are excellent choices if beef is preferred
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