Irish Beef and Ale Pie with Root Vegetables
A hearty and flavorful pie featuring tender chunks of beef slow-cooked in rich Irish ale with a medley of root vegetables, all encased in a flaky pastry crust.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Beef chuck(cut into 2-inch cubes)
- 50 g All-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 2 medium Onions(chopped)
- 3 medium Carrots(peeled and chopped)
- 2 medium Parsnips(peeled and chopped)
- 3 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 500 ml Irish stout or ale
- 250 ml Beef broth
- 2 tbsp Tomato paste
- 2 sprigs Fresh thyme
- 1 Bay leaf
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 500 g Shortcrust pastry(store-bought or homemade)
- 1 Egg(beaten, for egg wash)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 160°C (320°F).
- 2
Toss beef cubes with flour, salt, and pepper.
- 3
Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown beef in batches, then set aside.
- 4
Add onions, carrots, and parsnips to the pot and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 5
Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Pour in the stout/ale and beef broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- 6
Return the beef to the pot. Add thyme sprigs and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer, then cover and transfer to the preheated oven.
- 7
Bake for 2 hours, or until the beef is tender. Remove thyme sprigs and bay leaf. Adjust seasoning.
- 8
Increase oven temperature to 200°C (400°F). Line a pie dish with one sheet of pastry. Pour the beef and vegetable mixture into the pastry-lined dish.
- 9
Cover with the second sheet of pastry, crimping the edges to seal. Cut a few vents in the top crust. Brush with beaten egg.
- 10
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and puffed.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a richer flavor, use a dark Irish stout.
- ✓Ensure the beef is well-browned for maximum flavor.
- ✓If the filling seems too liquid, you can thicken it with a cornstarch slurry before assembling the pie.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add mushrooms or leeks to the vegetable mix.
- Use puff pastry for a lighter topping.