Hearty Irish Guinness Beef Pie Bursting with Flavor Recipe
This Hearty Irish Guinness Beef Pie is a comforting dish packed with rich flavors from tender ground beef simmered in Guinness stout, beef stock, and herbs, all encased in a golden, flaky puff pastry crust. Perfect for a cozy dinner, it blends traditional Irish ingredients with easy home cooking techniques.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 75 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Irish
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil (for frying)
- 500 g ground beef (minced beef) (preferably grass-fed)
- 1 large white onion (finely chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tbsp all purpose flour (plain flour Australia and UK) (for thickening)
- 330 ml Guinness stout (dark beer)
- 300 ml beef stock (beef broth or beef bouillon) (homemade or quality store-bought)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 sheet puff pastry (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 egg (beaten, for egg wash)
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 pinch ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F) to prepare for baking the pie later.
- Brown the Beef: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned thoroughly. Transfer the beef to a separate bowl, leaving some oil in the pan.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: In the same pan, add the finely chopped onions and sauté until soft and translucent. Then add minced garlic and cook for another minute until the aroma is released.
- Add Flour and Guinness: Stir in the flour and cook for one more minute. Gradually pour in the Guinness stout, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, and let it simmer gently for a couple of minutes to meld flavors.
- Simmer with Stock and Seasoning: Return the browned beef to the pan. Add beef stock, tomato paste, and dried thyme. Bring everything to a gentle simmer, reduce the heat, and cook uncovered for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens into a rich stew consistency.
- Prepare the Pie: Transfer the beef filling into a pie dish. Roll out the puff pastry sheet and cover the dish, pressing down the edges with a fork to seal. Trim any excess pastry for a neat finish.
- Apply Egg Wash and Vent: Brush the puff pastry with beaten egg to give it a golden shine. Pierce a small hole in the center of the pastry top to allow steam to escape while baking.
- Bake the Pie: Place the pie in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes or until the pastry turns golden brown and crispy. Let the pie cool slightly before serving for easier slicing and enhanced flavor.
Notes
- Use grass-fed or high-quality beef for the best flavor and texture.
- If you prefer, substitute the Guinness stout with another dark beer or a robust ale.
- Make sure to vent the pastry properly to avoid sogginess from steam buildup.
- Letting the pie rest after baking improves sliceability and flavor melding.
- This pie pairs well with mashed potatoes or a simple green salad.
Keywords: Guinness beef pie, Irish beef pie, puff pastry pie, stout beef stew, savory pie, comfort food, Irish cuisine
