Traditional Irish Stew with dumplings is the perfect meal for a hearty appetite. Our recipe makes a delicious main dish that can be completely prepared in a large Dutch oven. Are you hungry? Let’s get started.
What is Irish Stew?
Hearty Irish beef stew is a comfort food dish that can be enjoyed any time of year. It’s especially popular for St. Patrick’s Day and provides a rich, deep flavor that’s fulfilling.
How to Make Irish Stew with Dumplings
Following are our step-by-step instructions for how to make Irish stew with dumplings.
Equipment
large Dutch oven
Ingredients
Following are the recommended ingredients for Irish stew with dumplings.
Stew
2 tablespoons of oil
2 pounds of lamb, mutton, or beef chuck roast cut into cubes
Pinch of salt
pinch of black pepper
1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons flour
1 onion, diced
3 fresh garlic cloves or 1 teaspoon garlic powder
3 carrots, peeled and sliced
3 red potatoes, cubed
3 tablespoons tomato paste
8 ounces beer, such as stout beer
1 bay leaf
¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
4 cups beef stock
Herbed Dumplings
1 ½ cups self-rising flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 large egg
½ cup buttermilk
½ teaspoon parsley
½ teaspoon dill
Cooking Instructions
For Stew
In the bottom of a large pot, such as a large stock pot or Dutch oven, heat to medium heat and add oil.
Add the cubed meat and then add a pinch of salt and pepper. Sear until the meat is golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Remove the meat and set it aside until ready to use.
To the same pot, add butter, onions and garlic. Cook over low heat until the onion is translucent.
Stir in the cubed potatoes, tomato paste and sliced carrots and cook for another 5 to 10 minutes or until soft. Add the meat back into the pot.
Add the beer to the mixture and stir to release any more flavor from the bottom of the pot. Stir in the beef stock. Add bay leaf for flavor.
Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for 30 minutes until the meat is tender and falling apart.
Dumplings Recipe
To make the dumplings, whisk together dry ingredients of flour, baking powder and herbs. Combine the milk and eggs, then stir into the flour until just incorporated and a soft dough forms.
Once the meat in the stew is fully tender, uncover the stew and add spoonful of the dumplings to the broth.
Don’t worry about crowding the pot, just add them in an even layer on top of the stew. You will want the mixture to bubble for about 10-15 minutes so that it cooks the dumplings.
Then flip the dumplings over so that it cooks the other side. Serve the stew and enjoy.
How to Store Irish Stew with Dumplings
Perhaps you have leftover Irish stew with dumplings, and you’d like to store it for later. Or, maybe you’ve prepared the dish in advance and need to store it. You can store Irish stew either in the refrigerator or in the freezer.
To store it in the refrigerator, simply transfer the mixture to an airtight container. The stew will last in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
To store it in the freezer, place it inside a zipped freezer bag and date and label the packaging with the contents. Your Irish stew can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months without compromising quality.
How Long is it Good For?
How long your Irish stew with dumplings will last depends on how it’s stored. Storing it at room temperature will allow it to last only for up to 2 hours, with temperatures of 90F degrees or below.
Storing it in the refrigerator will allow it to last for up to 3-4 days, while storing it in the freezer will allow it to last up to 2 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Following are frequently asked questions that relate to Irish Stew with Dumplings. If you have a question that’s not asked here, feel free to drop it to us in the comments box below and we’ll be happy to answer it.
What makes Irish stew different from regular stew?
The main difference between Irish stew and hearty beef stew is the difference in the broth and the type and cut of meat. Regular stew uses a beef broth or tomato-based broth as well as cuts of beef for the meat.
On the other hand, Irish stew uses a beer-based thick broth and the meat is traditionally lamb or mutton.
Is Mulligan stew the same as Irish stew?
Mulligan stew is considered to be a form of Irish stew. It uses meat, potatoes, vegetables, and whatever else is available.
What is the difference between Irish and English stew?
The difference between Irish and English stew is the meat that’s used as well as the broth. English stew traditionally uses beef broth and cubed beef roast, while Irish stew uses a thick, beer-based broth and lamb or mutton.
What equipment will I need to make this recipe?
A large Dutch oven is ideal for this recipe. But if you don’t have one, a large stockpot, large bowl that’s oven safe, or a casserole dish will work in a pinch.
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Irish Stew with Dumplings
Equipment
- large Dutch oven
Ingredients
Stew
- 2 tablespoons of oil
- 2 pounds of lamb mutton, or beef chuck roast cut into cubes
- Pinch of salt
- pinch of black pepper
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 onion diced
- 3 fresh garlic cloves or 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3 carrots peeled and sliced
- 3 red potatoes cubed
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 8 ounces beer such as stout beer
- 1 bay leaf
- ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 4 cups beef stock
Herbed Dumplings
- 1 ½ cups self-rising flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup buttermilk
- ½ teaspoon parsley
- ½ teaspoon dill
Instructions
For Stew
- In the bottom of a large pot, such as a large stock pot or Dutch oven, heat to medium heat and add oil.
- Add the cubed meat and then add a pinch of salt and pepper. Sear until the meat is golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Remove the meat and set it aside until ready to use.
- To the same pot, add butter, onions and garlic. Cook over low heat until the onion is translucent.
- Stir in the cubed potatoes, tomato paste and sliced carrots and cook for another 5 to 10 minutes or until soft. Add the meat back into the pot.
- Add the beer to the mixture and stir to release any more flavor from the bottom of the pot. Stir in the beef stock. Add bay leaf for flavor.
- Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for 30 minutes until the meat is tender and falling apart.
Dumplings Recipe
- To make the dumplings, whisk together dry ingredients of flour, baking powder and herbs. Combine the milk and eggs, then stir into the flour until just incorporated and a soft dough forms.
- Once the meat in the stew is fully tender, uncover the stew and add spoonful of the dumplings to the broth.
- Don’t worry about crowding the pot, just add them in an even layer on top of the stew. You will want the mixture to bubble for about 10-15 minutes so that it cooks the dumplings.
- Then flip the dumplings over so that it cooks the other side. Serve the stew and enjoy.
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