There’s nothing quite like a bowl of rich, hearty Slow Cooker Irish stew to warm you up on a chilly day. This slow cooker version makes it incredibly easy to enjoy the comforting flavors of tender beef or lamb, perfectly cooked vegetables, and a deeply savory broth. It’s a classic dish that’s not only delicious but also a fantastic way to bring a bit of Irish tradition to your dinner table.

Slow Cooker Irish Stew

The beauty of this recipe is that it requires minimal effort but delivers maximum flavor. A quick sear on the meat and onions locks in those deep, caramelized flavors, and then your slow cooker does all the work. With just a few minutes of prep in the morning, you can come home to a meal that smells amazing and tastes even better. Serve it with a slice of warm Irish soda bread for the ultimate cozy dinner.

Perfect for Any Occasion

Whether you’re celebrating St. Patrick’s Day or just craving a stick-to-your-ribs kind of meal, this slow cooker Irish stew is a crowd-pleaser. The slow cooking process allows all the flavors to meld beautifully, creating a dish that feels like it’s been simmering all day on the stovetop—but without the hassle. Plus, it makes fantastic leftovers, as the flavors only deepen overnight.

What You Will Love About This Recipe

Set it and forget it! The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting.

Rich and hearty flavor from perfectly tender beef or lamb, potatoes, and carrots.

Perfect for meal prep – it tastes even better the next day!

Ingredients

3 pounds cubed beef or lamb meat
⅔ cups flour
2 teaspoons salt, divided
¼ cup vegetable or canola oil
2 large onions, chopped in 1 inch pieces
8 cups beef broth, divided
3 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed in 2 inch pieces
1 pound carrots, peeled and cut into Hawaiian inch pieces
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons dried thyme
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon tomato paste

How to Make Slow Cooker Irish Stew

Prepare the slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
In a gallon size Ziploc freezer bag, add the flour and 1 teaspoon salt. Shake gently to combine. Add the meat to the bag, seal, and turn until the meat is entirely coated by the flour.
In a large cast-iron skillet over medium high heat, add the oil. Carefully add about half of the meat to the skillet and brown on all sides. Remove the brown meat and place in the slow cooker to keep warm. Repeat until all of the meat is browned.

Add the onions to the skillet, and cook until softened, about five minutes. Stir often to avoid burning. Transfer the onions to the slow cooker.
Pour about one cup of the beef broth into the skillet, scraping the bottom with a wooden spoon to remove any cooked on pieces. Pour all of the broth from the skillet into the slow cooker.
Add the vegetables to the slow cooker over the meat.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the beef broth, remaining salt, garlic powder, dried thyme, black pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and tomato paste. Pour over the vegetables in the slow cooker.

Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours.

Tips & Tricks

Brown the meat first. It adds depth and richness to the stew—don’t skip this step!
✔ Use the right cut. Chuck roast or lamb shoulder work best because they become ultra-tender with slow cooking.
✔ Don’t skip deglazing. Scraping up the browned bits with broth adds tons of flavor.
✔ Thicken if needed. If you like a thicker stew, mash some of the potatoes into the broth or mix in a cornstarch slurry at the end.
✔ Make it ahead. This stew tastes even better the next day, making it great for leftovers.

FAQs

Absolutely! Lamb is actually the traditional meat for Irish stew, and it adds a wonderfully rich flavor.

Technically, no—but it makes a huge difference in flavor. Browning adds depth and helps seal in juices.

Mash some of the potatoes into the stew or stir in a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water) in the last 30 minutes of cooking.

Slow Cooker Irish Stew

Slow cooker Irish Stew is full of tender lamb (or beef), potatoes, carrots, and onions with a delicious beef broth that is full of so much flavor. It is the perfect meal to enjoy for St. Patrick’s Day.

Ingredients

3 pounds cubed beef or lamb meat
⅔ cups flour
2 teaspoons salt, divided
¼ cup vegetable or canola oil
2 large onions, chopped in 1 inch pieces
8 cups beef broth, divided
3 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed in 2 inch pieces
1 pound carrots, peeled and cut into Hawaiian inch pieces
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons dried thyme
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon tomato paste

Instructions

Prepare the slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
In a gallon-size Ziploc freezer bag, add the flour and 1 teaspoon salt. Shake gently to combine. Add the meat to the bag, seal, and turn until the meat is entirely coated by the flour.
In a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, add the oil. Carefully add about half of the meat to the skillet and brown on all sides. Remove the brown meat and place it in the slow cooker to keep warm. Repeat until all of the meat is browned.
Add the onions to the skillet, and cook until softened, about five minutes. Stir often to avoid burning. Transfer the onions to the slow cooker.
Pour about one cup of the beef broth into the skillet, scraping the bottom with a wooden spoon to remove any cooked on pieces. Pour all of the broth from the skillet into the slow cooker.
Add the vegetables to the slow cooker over the meat.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the beef broth, remaining salt, garlic powder, dried thyme, black pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and tomato paste. Pour over the vegetables in the slow cooker.
Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 646Total Fat: 33gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 17gCholesterol: 158mgSodium: 1566mgCarbohydrates: 32gFiber: 4gSugar: 5gProtein: 54g

Melissa

I’m Melissa, the imaginative force behind Sparkles to Sprinkles, where creativity comes to life, and sprinkles of joy are scattered generously. Melissa is a proud Jersey girl who found love with a New York boy. As a mom to four wonderful boys and a few fur babies, her journey into the world of blogging began after making the life-changing decision to stay home and raise her children. Previously a dedicated workaholic, Melissa’s blog became her creative outlet and passion project. Inspired by her mother-in-law, a masterful cook renowned for her delicious home-cooked meals and legendary holiday feasts (think mouthwatering sausage stuffing), Melissa honed her culinary skills through a combination of family recipes and countless cooking classes. She often attended these classes with her son Michael, who shared her enthusiasm for cooking from a young age. Melissa’s love for learning extends beyond familiar cuisines, as she enjoys exploring international recipes in hands-on cooking classes. Her blog features a diverse array of recipes, showcasing her expertise with various kitchen appliances such as the Instant Pot, air fryer, Slow Cooker, Ninja Foodi, Instant Vortex Plus, and more. Join Melissa on her culinary adventures as she shares tried-and-true family favorites alongside exciting new discoveries!

Slow Cooker Irish Stew