Vegan Guinness Stew

Although this post is a couple weeks too late, I wanted to share a recipe that I’ve utilized a couple times over the past year that’s never left me unsatisfied or disappointed. You’ll find some of the most versatile vegetables simmering in a pot of thick Irish beer that, when thickened with flour and sweetened with a bit of brown sugar and soy sauce, becomes a rich and flavorful stew.

For some the bitterness of the beer can leave a somewhat unfavorable, so be proactive with tasting and adding equal parts brown sugar and soy sauce until you’ve cut through the bitterness to your liking. The more involved you are, the more you’re going to be pleased with the final product. I’d also recommend letting the stew sit for at least 5 hours in order to allow the veggies and seitan to absorb the beer, but it can also be a quick turn around as long as the potatoes and carrots are thoroughly cooked.

Served on it’s own, adorned with a dollop of sour cream, or even splashed with a couple shots of hot sauce, I’m almost positive you’ll enjoy this stew and will make it again!

14 ounces Seitan

1 yellow onion, diced

3 ribs celery, thinly sliced

2 carrots, cut in half and thinly sliced

2 medium potatoes, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons soy sauce

2 tablespoons brown sugar

5 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons flour

1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped

Salt and pepper, to taste

2 12 ounce bottles of Guinness beer (make sure to get the regular, and not the stout)
*Please note that regular Guinness is not vegetarian, due to the use of isinglass. However, Guinness that is brewed at the Moosehead Brewery in Canada is vegan, so make sure to check the label for Guinness, N.A. Samuel Smith stout is also a good, vegan friendly alternative.

Sautee seitan in 2 tablespoons olive oil and soy sauce until brown (about 5 minutes). Set aside.

In a large pot, sautee onions, garlic, celery, carrots, and potatoes in remaining olive oil for 3-5 minutes, or until onions are soft.

Reduce heat and slowly add stout, stirring gently.

Add flour, thyme, sugar, salt and pepper, stirring well.

Add sietan and simmer until stout reduces and thickens (about 45 minutes).

Continue to add equal portions of soy sauce and brown sugar if a sweeter flavor is desired.