Slow-Cooker Steak and Guinness Pie

Serves 4

by Juli Roberts
from Fine Cooking
Issue 110
Last Edit Date: 3/10/2011 12:11:25 PM

This simple version of the classic Irish dish has the distinctive bitter flavor of Guinness stout. Although it’s slow-cooked, the hearty beef stew requires minimal prep time. When it’s ready, the puff pastry “tops” are baked separately and served alongside.

more about:

1-1/8 oz. (1/4 cup) all-purpose flour; more for rolling
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 lb. boneless beef chuck, trimmed of excess fat, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 large carrots, cut into 1/4-inch-thick rounds
1 large yellow onion, coarsely chopped
3 large cloves garlic, minced
2 sprigs fresh thyme
1 (12-oz.) bottle Guinness (or other stout)
1 cup lower-salt beef broth
2 large russet potatoes (about 1-1/2 lb.), washed and cut into 1-inch cubes
Nonstick cooking spray
1 sheet frozen puff pastry (about 9 oz.), thawed overnight in the refrigerator

In a large bowl, combine the flour, 2 tsp. salt, and 1 tsp. pepper. Toss the beef in the flour mixture to coat. Transfer the mixture (including excess flour) to a 6-quart slow cooker and then add the carrots, onion, garlic, and thyme. Slowly pour in the Guinness and then stir in the beef broth. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours. Add the potatoes and continue cooking until the meat and the potatoes are fork-tender, about 1 hour more.

Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 375°F. Coat a large rimmed baking sheet with the cooking spray. On a lightly floured surface, roll the puff pastry sheet into a 10x14-inch rectangle. Put it on the prepared baking sheet and bake until golden-brown, 15 to 18 minutes. Remove from the oven, let cool slightly on a rack, and cut into quarters.

To serve, lay the puff pastry quarters in 4 wide, shallow bowls and spoon the stew over the pastry.

Serving Suggestions

Start this meal off with a fresh Forty Shades of Green Salad.

nutrition information (per serving):
Calories (kcal): 880; Fat (g): 34; Fat Calories (kcal): 300; Saturated Fat (g): 7; Protein (g): 58; Monounsaturated Fat (g): 9; Carbohydrates (g): 79; Polyunsaturated Fat (g): 15; Sodium (mg): 860; Cholesterol (mg): 80; Fiber (g): 5;

Photo: Scott Phillips

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by sweetberryfield, 2/29/2012wow so good

by JohnMeeley, 2/2/2012Great taste. I own your basic high/low crock-pot. I put the potato's in at the start. Also amended with additional ingredients, baby bella mushrooms sweated out in a cast iron pan in butter, thin sliced shallot, fresh hulled peas, coarse chopped celery. All into the pot and walk away. That why you want a slow-cooker recipe in the first place isn't it?

by lindad1, 2/1/2012SO sad. I have tried so many FineCooking recipes and loved every one. As soon as my mag arrives, I immediately begin planning my grocery shopping around it. This is the first (and likely only) time I have been disappointed. I followed this to a tee and the result was bland AND bitter. Sorry, but this one just didn't cut it. :( I have no suggestions for improvement other than to look for another recipe form FineCooking. I guarantee there are plenty of other winners!

by VeeV, 1/21/2012Excellent recipe have made it several times. Last time I had no Guinness so instead I added a package of onion soup mix and some water, my family said it was even better than the one with Guinness. Also, RE: POTATOES, I put them in with everything else at the beginning, no waiting an hour after I get home from work!

by TheMomChef, 4/11/2011If you love Guinness, you're going to love this recipe. Read my entire review at: http://www.takingonmagazines.com/2011/04/slow-cooker-steak-and-guinness-pie-from.html

by Punty, 3/23/2011A great tasting and simple recipe. I thoroughly enjoyed this. I loved the fact that since the pastry is done separately, I can have as much extra as I want!

by ICookForFour, 3/17/2011Ok - not a lot of flavor. My 1" potatoes didn't cook in an hour, either, and the meat was completely falling apart before the potatoes were done (not necessarily a bad thing, but start the potatoes earlier.)

by RMW311, 3/15/2011very easy and good - it was done in about 4 hrs on high; I parboiled the potatoes and added them for the last 45 minutes, also added peas a few minutes before serving. The sauce was not quite thick enough, even tho I dredged the meat in flour as per the recipe. But the flavor was yummy and the meat deliciously tender. Next time I might try Harp instead of Guinness (I know this would change the recipe name...), or even use the recipe as a springboard for other flavors - red wine, for example. But worth making as is, too.

by saramaher, 3/15/2011Yummy, but not amazing. Easy to assemble. Great comfort food for a rainy day. The potatoes need more than 1 hour (when preparing the meal on a low setting). Makes enough to freeze a few servings for a later date.

by Patrick_Mom, 2/28/2011Amazingly simple and yummy! However, the potatoes didn't cook through in just 1 hr. I would definitely put in at 2 hrs (on low) before serving.