7 Hearty and Delicious Irish Stew Recipes for a Cozy St. Patrick's Day Celebration

St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner, and there's no better way to celebrate than with a warm and hearty Irish stew recipe. This classic dish is a staple in Irish cuisine and has been passed down through generations of families. If you're looking for a delicious and easy way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day this year, I've curated these seven simple and easy Irish stew recipes.

Classic Irish Beef Stew

The classic Irish beef stew is a staple dish in Irish cuisine, and for a good reason. This stew is hearty, flavorful, and easy to make. To make this stew, you'll need:

2 lbs. beef chuck, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 tbsp. vegetable oil
2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
2 cups beef broth
2 cups water
1 onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
4 carrots, peeled and chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 bay leaves
1 tsp. dried thyme
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper

Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a large pot or Dutch oven. Add the beef and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Remove the beef from the pot and set aside. Add the onion and garlic to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the flour and stir to combine. Gradually pour in the beef broth and water, stirring constantly. Add the beef back to the pot and carrots, celery, bay leaves, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 2-3 hours, or until the beef is tender and the vegetables are fully cooked.

Vegetarian Irish Stew

If you're looking for a meatless option, this vegetarian Irish stew is the perfect recipe for you. It's packed with flavor and protein, thanks to the addition of lentils. To make this stew, you'll need:

2 tbsp. olive oil
1 onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
4 carrots, peeled and chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 cup green lentils
4 cups vegetable broth
2 bay leaves
1 tsp. dried thyme
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper

Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a large pot or Dutch oven. Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the carrots and celery and cook for another 5 minutes. Add the lentils, vegetable broth, bay leaves, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 30-40 minutes, or until the lentils are tender and the vegetables are cooked through.

Irish Lamb and Potato Stew

This Irish lamb and potato stew is a delicious and easy recipe that requires only a few simple ingredients. The combination of tender lamb and soft potatoes creates a comforting and flavorful stew that's perfect for a cozy night in. To make this stew, you'll need:

2 lbs. lamb stew meat, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
4 potatoes, peeled and chopped
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 cups beef broth
2 bay leaves
1 tsp. dried thyme
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper

In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the lamb and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Remove the lamb from the pot and set aside. Add the onion and garlic to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the potatoes, carrots, and celery to the pot and stir to combine. Add the beef broth, bay leaves, thyme, salt, and pepper to the pot and stir to combine. Add the lamb back to the pot and stir to combine.

Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 1-2 hours, or until the lamb is tender and the potatoes are cooked through. Remove the bay leaves before serving. This stew is delicious served with crusty bread and a side salad.

Irish Stew with Dumplings

For a hearty and filling meal, try this Irish stew with dumplings. The dumplings add an extra layer of comfort to this already cozy dish. To make this stew, you'll need:

2 lbs. beef chuck, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 tbsp. vegetable oil
2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
2 cups beef broth
2 cups water
1 onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
4 carrots, peeled and chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 bay leaves
1 tsp. dried thyme
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper

For the dumplings:

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. cold butter, cut into small pieces
1/2 cup milk

Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a large pot or Dutch oven. Add the beef and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Remove the beef from the pot and set aside. Add the onion and garlic to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the flour and stir to combine. Gradually pour in the beef broth and water, stirring constantly. Add the beef back to the pot and carrots, celery, bay leaves, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 2-3 hours, or until the beef is tender and the vegetables are cooked through.

Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl to make the dumplings. Add the butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work it into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Add the milk and stir until a soft dough forms. Drop the dough by spoonfuls onto the surface of the stew. Cover the pot and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the dumplings are cooked through.

Slow Cooker Irish Stew

If you're short on time or prefer a hands-off approach, this slow-cooker Irish stew is the perfect recipe. It's easy to make and results in a delicious and tender stew. To make this stew, you'll need:

2 lbs. beef chuck, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
2 cups beef broth
2 cups water
1 onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
4 carrots, peeled and chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 bay leaves
1 tsp. dried thyme
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper

Combine the beef, flour, broth, water, onion, garlic, carrots, celery, bay leaves, thyme, salt, and pepper in a slow cooker. Stir to combine. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours or until the beef is tender and the vegetables are cooked through.

Irish Lamb Stew with Potatoes

This Irish lamb stew with potatoes is a classic St. Patrick's Day dish. The combination of lamb and potatoes creates a flavorful and filling meal perfect for a cold evening. To make this stew, you'll need:

2 lbs. lamb stew meat, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 tbsp. vegetable oil
2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
2 cups beef broth
1 onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
4 potatoes, peeled and chopped
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 bay leaves
1 tsp. dried thyme
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper

Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a large pot or Dutch oven. Add the lamb and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Remove the lamb from the pot and set aside. Add the onion and garlic to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the flour and stir to combine. Gradually pour in the beef broth, stirring constantly. Add the lamb back to the pot, along with the potatoes, carrots, celery, bay leaves, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 2-3 hours, or until the lamb is tender and the vegetables are cooked through.

Irish Stew with Barley

For a twist on the classic Irish stew, try this recipe with barley. The barley adds a nutty flavor and a chewy texture to the stew, making it a satisfying and comforting meal. To make this stew, you'll need:

2 lbs. beef chuck, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 tbsp. vegetable oil
2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
2 cups beef broth
2 cups water
1 onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
4 carrots, peeled and chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 bay leaves
1 tsp. dried thyme
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1 cup barley

Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a large pot or Dutch oven. Add the beef and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Remove the beef from the pot and set aside. Add the onion and garlic to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the flour and stir to combine. Gradually pour in the beef broth and water, stirring constantly. Add the beef back to the pot, along with the carrots, celery, bay leaves, thyme, salt, pepper, and barley. Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 2-3 hours, or until the beef is tender, the vegetables are cooked through, and the barley is tender.

Conclusion

There you have it, seven simple and easy Irish stew recipes for St. Patrick's Day. These hearty and flavorful dishes are perfect for a cozy evening or entertaining friends and family. Whether you prefer beef, lamb, or a vegetarian option, there's a recipe here for everyone.