Recipe for Irish Beef Stew

1. Prepare the ingredients for your cook by peeling and chopping the vegetables, breaking down the meat as needed and seasoning. 
2. Remove the cast iron cooking grids from your charcoal barbecue, as well as the stainless steel heat diffuser. Fill your charcoal chimney with a load of charcoal. In this case, briquettes would be better than using hardwood lumps for consistency of shape and heat output. Light the chimney and allow the charcoal to heat and ash over. 
3. Once the charcoal is ready, place ¾ of the lit charcoal on the fuel grate, keeping it in a close circle. Place the dutch oven directly on the coals. Set your chimney starter onto a safe surface, and allow the cast iron to heat up.  
4. Sear the meat in batches until browned. Remove to a bowl. Add the onions and celery, adding oil as needed. Once the onions are nearly cooked, add the garlic. Cook for 30 seconds or until fragrant. 
5. Add the carrots and potatoes and return the beef back to the pot. Dust everything with the flour, stirring to combine, and cook for about a minute before pouring over the Guinness and the stock. Put the lid onto the dutch oven and arrange the last of the lit coals on the lid.
6. Set the air shutters on the charcoal grill to half-open. Allow the stew to cook for around 2 hours, stirring periodically. To safely stir your stew, use a dutch oven lid lifter to remove the lid. Remember to monitor the charcoal and heat levels, you don’t want things getting too hot or the fire going out. If you feel like the charcoal is burning out too quickly, add a few unlit chunks around the outside of the dutch oven and push them under as they ignite. 
7. Check the beef for tenderness and the liquid levels at the 2-hour mark. Continue to simmer if the beef needs more time. Use heat-resistant gloves to remove the Cast Iron Dutch Oven from the charcoal if you are satisfied with the thick stew and tender meat. 
8. Serve the stew in your favorite bowl with a hearty loaf of bread for a warm and comforting meal. 

CHEATS NOTES & HACKS

• This can be done on the stovetop and in the oven or on your side burner and in the gas barbecue instead of over charcoal
• Go gluten-free with an alternate flour and skip the beer, opting to add an extra cup of stock instead
• Package leftovers out in servings depending on your family size. Freeze.  You can thaw, heat and serve for a premade and easy dinner or throw the frozen into your slow cooker on low all day. 

This recipe for Irish Beef Stew is the ultimate in comfort and warmth. Perfect for chilly nights, crackling fires, and friends. Feed a crowd or freeze it for later, either way, this easy recipe is one that will make it into your favorites pile. How will you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with your barbecue? Share your Ireland-inspired barbecue recipes, ideas, and photos on our social pages like Facebook and TikTok, using the hashtags #NapoleonEats and #NapoleonGrill.

Happy Grilling!