• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Neils Healthy Meals

Quick Healthy Meals

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Wellbeing
  • Healthy Living
  • Contact Me
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
  • FREE eBook
  • Healthy Living
  • Contact Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • Recipes
    • FREE eBook
    • Healthy Living
    • Contact Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Dinner » Meat and Poultry

    Slow Cooker Beef And Ale Stew

    Published: Apr 1, 2021 · Updated: Aug 23, 2022 by Neil 16 Comments

    70 shares
    • Facebook
    • Yummly
    • Twitter
    Jump to Recipe
    Birds eye view of slow cooker beef and ale stew. With broccoli in a bowl beside. Pin title text overlay at top.
    Slow cooker beef and ale stew in slow cooker dish with serving spoon placed over. Pin title text overlay at top.

    Slow cooker beef and ale stew is the perfect delicious easy to make comfort food. Served with your choice of side dishes this hearty dish is a family pleaser!

    Slow cooker beef and ale stew with a serving spoon placed over the top. Side dishes of broccoli and mashed potatoes at the top.

    Folks I know we're all hoping for some warmer weather here to cheer us up. In the meantime my slow cooker beef and ale stew is perfect for this weather.

    Cooked in a slow cooker this recipe is a amazing combination of all that's good and comforting.

    Delicious slow cooked tenderised beef with onions, carrots and turnip all in a beer flavoured gravy sauce.

    What's not to love?

    The aromas of this beef in beer stew will permeate every corner of your house making it feel all warm and cosy!

    Stew recipes are great for any time of year but particularly the colder months.

    A hearty stew is often seen in our house especially at the weekends or when we're seeking something to cheer us up. It's the best way to do that.

    I serve my beef and ale stew with potatoes. Which we're both a big fan of. You could of course serve it with rice or anything else you fancy.

    If you want your beef and ale stew to be gluten free then why not serve it up with cauliflower mash?

    And if you enjoyed this steak and ale stew why not check out my other popular slow cooker recipes below?

    Slow cooker beef and ale stew. Side dishes of broccoli and mashed potatoes at the top.
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Substitutions
    • What's The Best Kind Of Beef For a Stew?
    • What's The Best Kind Of Beer For This Beef And Ale Stew?
    • How Long To Cook Slow Cooker Beef Stew For?
    • What Sides To Serve Slow Cooker Beef And Ale Stew With?
    • Can I freeze This Beef Stew Recipe?
    • How To Make Slow Cooker Beef Stew Into A Pie
    • Equipment
    • Other Popular Slow Cooker Recipes You Might Also Like
    • Slow Cooker Beef and Ale Stew Recipe
    • Nutrition Label
    • Rate The Recipe

    Ingredients

    • Casserole / Stewing Steak / Chuck Steak
    • Plain Flour
    • Olive Oil
    • Onion
    • Carrots
    • Turnip / Swede
    • Beef Stock
    • Beer / Ale
    • Worcestershire Sauce
    • Salt & Freshly Ground Black Pepper

    See recipe card for quantities.

    Substitutions

    • Casserole / Stewing Steak / Chuck Steak - use any kind of stew meat. Stews are great for using up cheaper cuts of meat as they tenderise over time in the slow cooker.
    • Plain Flour
    • Olive Oil
    • Onion
    • Carrots
    • Turnip / Swede
    • Beef Stock - use a good quality beef stock / beef broth. A stock cube is also fine.
    • Beer / Ale
    • Worcestershire Sauce - you could use a tablespoon of tomato paste / tomato puree instead.
    • Salt & Freshly Ground Black Pepper
    Slow cooker beef and ale stew. Side dishes of broccoli and mashed potatoes at the top right. Serving plates with cutlery on to the top left.

    What's The Best Kind Of Beef For a Stew?

    When you're looking at what kind of beef to use for this slow cooker beef and ale stew make sure you don't buy any expensive cuts.

    What you're looking to use is a cheaper cut of beef like casserole, stewing steak or chuck steak.

    You see these cuts of meat will slowly tenderise and release all their flavours the longer you cook them for.

    So in fact they are perfect for use in a beef slow cooker recipe like this.

    What's The Best Kind Of Beer For This Beef And Ale Stew?

    Are you wondering what kind of beer to use to flavour the gravy of this slow cooker beef stew?

    Well, I find an ale with a full flavour works best.

    I use Guinness because I like the distinctive flavour that as a stout it gives to the recipe.

    This recipe makes an amazing slow cooker guinness beef stew.

    However you could easily use any other kind of stout, a porter, a dark ale or brown ale. Those are perfect beers too for cooking with.

    Any of them would work really well in a beef stew, it's really up to your personal preference.

    Also don't worry about the beef stew being alcoholic as the alcohol is all burnt off during the slow cooking!

    I'm not a fan of using pale ale though as I don't feel it has enough of a body to it.

    How Long To Cook Slow Cooker Beef Stew For?

    To get the most tender beef cook on low for 4-6 hrs, or on high for 4 hrs.

    Birds eye view of slow cooker beef and ale stew. Side dishe of broccoli at the top right. Serving plates with cutlery on to the top left.

    What Sides To Serve Slow Cooker Beef And Ale Stew With?

    I'm a bit of a traditionalist so I just like to serve it with mashed potato and some green beans or broccoli.

    If you're feeling adventurous you could go an extra step and add some dumplings in towards the end of the cooking!

    Can I freeze This Beef Stew Recipe?

    Yes. Any slow cooker beef and ale stew leftovers can easily be frozen.

    Make sure you've thoroughly defrosted the stew before heating up in a saucepan and serving!

    How To Make Slow Cooker Beef Stew Into A Pie

    This is a really good stew to make into a beef and ale pie.

    Use a pie dish and follow my turkey and leek pie recipe from step 7.

    Equipment

    For this Slow Cooker Beef And Ale Stew You May Need……

    The following links and any links in the recipe card below are affiliate links.

    This means that if you click on it and then buy that product I’ll get a small commission (at no extra cost to you of course).

    If you do click through then thanks for being a part of Neil’s Healthy Meals!

    This is the slow cooker I use. As you can see it's relatively inexpensive and its perfect for meals of up to 4 people!

    Subscribe to Neil's Healthy Meals

    Don't miss future updates and new recipes. Make sure you’re subscribed to Neil’s Healthy Meals.

    Subscribe here to add your email to the subscription list.

    And you can follow me too via your favourite social channels :-

    Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram, Bloglovin & YouTube.

    *I do not use your email for anything else other than adding you to my blog subscription list which you can opt out of at any time.

    Other Popular Slow Cooker Recipes You Might Also Like

    • Slow cooker beef curry is absolutely packed full of flavour. It’s an easy healthy recipe that makes the meat so tender it will melt in your mouth!
    • Slow cooker lamb curry. This is an easy to make and delicious lightly spiced curry. Made with store cupboard spices and minimum ingredients it will soon become a family favourite!
    • Slow cooker chicken and chorizo is the perfect winter warmer. This easy to make Spanish inspired dish will leave you feeling satisfied and make your kitchen smell great too!
    Slow cooker beef and ale stew with a serving spoon placed over the top. Side dishes of broccoli and mashed potatoes at the top.
    Print Recipe Save Recipe Saved Recipe!
    5 from 11 votes

    Slow Cooker Beef and Ale Stew Recipe

    Slow cooker beef and ale stew is the perfect delicious easy to make comfort food. Served with your choice of side dishes this hearty dish is a family pleaser!
    Prep Time20 mins
    Cook Time6 hrs
    Course: Dinner
    Cuisine: British
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 545kcal
    Author: Neil

    The following links and any links in the recipe card below are affiliate links.

    This means that if you click on it and then buy that product I’ll get a small commission (at no extra cost to you of course).

    If you do click through then thanks for being a part of Neil’s Healthy Meals!

    Equipment

    • Slow cooker
    • Saucepans
    • Kitchen scale
    • Measuring spoons
    • Large mixing bowl
    • Kitchen knives
    • Chopping board
    • Measuring jug
    • Wooden spoon

    Ingredients

    • 700 g casserole / stewing steak
    • 2 tablespoon plain flour
    • 3 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 large onion sliced.
    • 75 g carrots peeled and sliced.
    • 75 g turnip/swede peeled and cubed.
    • 200 ml Beef stock
    • 250 ml ale*
    • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
    • Salt & freshly ground pepper
    Metric - US Customary

    Instructions

    • Trim off any excess fat from the meat and cut into cubes.
    • Place the meat in a bowl, add the plain flour and combine well until the meat is coated in the flour.
    • Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan and over a medium heat and sauté the onion for 2 to 3 minutes until soft. Then add the coated meat in batches and cook for about 10 minutes until browned. Stirring frequently to prevent the meat sticking to the pan.
    • Transfer the meat to slow cooker add the carrots, turnip, stock, ale, and Worcestershire sauce too. Then stir well and then season to taste with the salt and pepper.**
    • Cook on low for 4-6 hrs, or on high for 4 hrs.
    • Serve with mashed potatoes.
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Notes

    *Use a dark ales, porter, or stout.
    ** Add a little more plain flour if the sauce is not thick enough for your liking.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 545kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 119mg | Sodium: 289mg | Potassium: 882mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 3163IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 5mg

    Nutrition Label

    Nutritional information provided below is calculated using paid for online tools and the exact ingredients and quantities used above.

    Nutrition Facts
    Slow Cooker Beef and Ale Stew
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 545 Calories from Fat 342
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 38g58%
    Saturated Fat 13g81%
    Trans Fat 2g
    Cholesterol 119mg40%
    Sodium 289mg13%
    Potassium 882mg25%
    Carbohydrates 12g4%
    Fiber 1g4%
    Sugar 3g3%
    Protein 35g70%
    Vitamin A 3163IU63%
    Vitamin C 8mg10%
    Calcium 54mg5%
    Iron 5mg28%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    Rate The Recipe

    If you’ve made this slow cooker beef and ale stew recipe, or any other recipes on Neil's Healthy Meals, then please let me know.

    I’d love to hear what you think of my recipe in the comments below and please do rate my recipe 5* if you like it! 🙂

    Related

    « Chicken Spaghetti Bake
    One Pot Vegetable Dhal »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. David @ Spiced

      April 01, 2021 at 12:21 pm

      5 stars
      What a great cold weather recipe, Neil! Even though the calendar says April, it most definitely is not April outside. I'm currently watching a slushy snow come down...umph. A bowl of this beef and Guinness stew would be perfect on a day like this!!

      Reply
      • Neil

        April 02, 2021 at 7:44 am

        Exactly David. Woke up here this morning and frost everywhere. Snow forecast for Monday. What's that all about? Still there's plenty more of this stew I've frozen in the freezer so it may be needed! 🙂

        Reply
    2. Chef Mimi

      April 04, 2021 at 2:53 pm

      5 stars
      This stew looks so good. The broth really looks exceptionally tasty!

      Reply
      • Neil

        April 04, 2021 at 3:09 pm

        Thanks Mimi. Yeah I love how the longer you leave it slow cooking the tastier the gravy gets! 🙂

        Reply
    3. Katerina

      April 07, 2021 at 11:43 am

      5 stars
      Ahhh, a good meaty stew is one of my favourite comfort foods ever, Neil. Add a bit of ale into the sauce and it's even better - it's hard to believe one ingredient can offer that depth of flavour. Thanks for sharing your recipe!

      Reply
      • Neil

        April 07, 2021 at 5:25 pm

        Thanks Katerine. I thought I might have been posting this one a bit late what with it supposed to be coming into spring and warmer weather now. Nope, it's just above freezing outside so there will be plenty more comfort foods like this for the time being!

        Reply
    4. Jeff the Chef

      April 07, 2021 at 1:10 pm

      5 stars
      I love this stew, Neil! Beef and beer go so well together. I like to choose something that's a little hoppy, because I like the way the bitterness provides balance to the stew. Something dark and smooth, though, adds such substance and flavor.

      Reply
      • Neil

        April 07, 2021 at 5:26 pm

        Exactly Jeff. Doesn't booze and food go together well generally? 🙂

        Reply
    5. Ben | Havocinthekitchen

      April 07, 2021 at 5:37 pm

      5 stars
      Even though the days are getting longer and warmer, I still don't mind some hearty meals. This stew looks and sounds particularly delicious. Also, I don't use turnips as often as I should (They're awesome). So thank you for the reminder 🙂

      Reply
      • Neil

        April 08, 2021 at 5:44 am

        You're welcome Ben! Yes the days are getting longer. But warmer? Not here yet unfortunately! Hope you are well and thanks for the comment!

        Reply
    6. Easyfoodsmith

      April 11, 2021 at 8:17 am

      5 stars
      Its definitely not the weather for stew here but I can imagine how good slow cooked meat is, with flavourful flesh falling off the bones.

      Reply
      • Neil

        April 11, 2021 at 8:58 am

        Yep. I agree. Slow cooked meat definitely tastes much better and really flavours the gravy too! Thanks for your comment Easyfoodsmith.

        Reply
    7. Michael

      April 20, 2021 at 8:07 pm

      5 stars
      Absolutely fab – made this for my other half and not too sure how happy I was to get “this is the best thing you’ve ever made…” but it kept her quiet the rest of the night! Thank you so much for this recipe, Neil!

      Reply
      • Neil

        April 21, 2021 at 5:21 am

        Thats fabulous Michael! 😉 I'm glad your other half enjoyed it so much. Thanks for taking the time to make, rate and submit a review too! 😀

        Reply
    8. Allcookwarefind

      July 06, 2021 at 10:06 am

      5 stars
      Your stew looks good! Stew is my favorite dish, I'll try your recipe next time. And I also agree that the Morphy Richards is a great budget slow cooker.

      Reply
      • Neil

        July 06, 2021 at 10:10 am

        Thank you. Glad you like it! 🙂

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hello there! I’m Neil. Since 2014 Neil's Healthy Meals has been providing delicious quick healthy recipes and fabulous cheesecakes based on the 80/20 rule for eating. Helping you live a diet free lifestyle. One where you can still enjoy cake! Learn more here

    Popular Recipes

    • Birds eye view of 2 bowls of Scottish lentil soup with spoons in.
      Easy Scottish Lentil Soup
    • Easy homemade quorn lasagne cooked and displayed on a table ready to be cut and served.
      Easy Homemade Quorn Lasagne
    • Birds eye view of a pan of cooked low fat garlic mushroom pasta garnished with chopped parsley. Bowl of garlic bread at the top.
      Low Fat Garlic Mushroom Pasta
    • Slow cooker vegetarian chilli in slow cooker. Dishes of rice and coriander at the top.
      Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chilli

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Neil's Healthy Meals

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    COPYRIGHT © 2023 NEILSHEALTHYMEALS.COM - PRIVACY POLICY - DISCLAIMER

    70 shares