Guinness is great in a glass, but it does even better in the kitchen. That deep, malty flavor builds rich stews, thickens gravy, and makes cheese sauce bolder. Slow-cook it into a roast, mix it into a dip, or let it soak into a pot pie—this beer pulls its weight. If there’s a bottle of Guinness in your fridge this time of year, put it to work in one of these recipes.

Slow Cooker Lamb Stew
Let Guinness do the work in this slow cooker lamb stew. The meat turns out incredibly tender, and the broth is packed with deep, rich flavor. Toss in some beans, kale, and tomatoes for a complete meal with zero effort.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Lamb Stew
Irish Stout Onion Soup
Think French onion soup, but better. Guinness gives the broth an extra deep flavor, and it all gets topped with thyme croutons and plenty of Irish cheddar. Grab a spoon and dig in.
Get the Recipe: Irish Stout Onion Soup
Short Rib Chili
This chili doesn’t mess around. Slow-cooked short ribs, a bold porter beer base, and just the right amount of heat make it a perfect meal for a cold day. Bonus: it freezes well, so you can save some for later—if there’s any left.
Get the Recipe: Short Rib Chili
Chicken with Guinness
Chicken thighs, meet Guinness. This dish turns out sticky, juicy, and loaded with bold flavor. Every bite is packed with that deep, malty goodness, making it a great excuse to cook with beer instead of just drinking it.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Guinness
Guinness Beef Pot Pie
Beef, veggies, and a Guinness-laced gravy get tucked under a buttery beer bread biscuit topping. This isn’t just pot pie—it’s pot pie with attitude. Grab a fork and dig in.
Get the Recipe: Guinness Beef Pot Pie
Stout Mac and Cheese with Pronghorn Italian Sausage
Mac and cheese just got a serious upgrade. Think beer cheese dip meets cheeseburger mac, with spicy sausage and crunchy breadcrumbs to top it off. The stout takes the cheese sauce to another level, making this the grown-up version of comfort food you didn’t know you needed.
Get the Recipe: Stout Mac and Cheese with Pronghorn Italian Sausage
Venison and Wild Mushroom Hand Pies with Stout Beer
These handheld pies are like little pockets of Guinness-infused greatness. The venison and mushrooms soak up every bit of that deep, malty beer gravy, all wrapped in a flaky Irish cheddar crust. They beat a standard pot pie any day.
Get the Recipe: Venison and Wild Mushroom Hand Pies with Stout Beer
Irish Lamb Stew
Guinness belongs in your pot as much as in your pint. This Irish lamb stew is packed with tender meat, potatoes, and carrots, all soaking up the deep, rich flavors of a stout-infused broth. It’s simple, hearty, and straight-up great for a cold night.
Get the Recipe: Irish Lamb Stew
Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage
Guinness and corned beef are meant to be together. This Instant Pot version turns out fork-tender beef with cabbage, carrots, and potatoes in record time. No waiting around all day for the magic to happen.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage
Instant Pot Guinness Beef Stew
This stew tastes like it simmered for hours, but the Instant Pot gets it done fast. Beef, potatoes, and carrots soak up the bold, rich flavor of Guinness, making every bite as great as the last.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Guinness Beef Stew
Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage
Toss it all in the slow cooker and let Guinness work its magic. The beef turns out fall-apart tender, and the potatoes and carrots soak up all the flavor. Set it, forget it, and come back to a meal that practically cooked itself.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage
Guinness Cheese Dip
Beer and cheese belong together, and Guinness makes this dip even better. Irish cheddar, cream cheese, and a little mustard come together in a creamy, melty dip that’s perfect for sharing—or not. Cook it on the stove, the grill, or even over a campfire.
Get the Recipe: Guinness Cheese Dip
Guinness Beef Stew
Slow-cooked beef, potatoes, and veggies swim in a deep, flavorful Guinness broth. This stew is thick, rich, and exactly what you want on a chilly night. The slow cooker or stovetop will both get the job done.
Get the Recipe: Guinness Beef Stew
Smoked Short Rib Irish Beef Stew
Take Irish beef stew, throw in smoked short ribs, and let everything simmer in a Guinness-infused broth. The ribs turn out fork-tender, soaking up every drop of that deep, bold flavor. This one’s worth every second of patience.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Short Rib Irish Beef Stew
Guinness Pot Roast
This pot roast takes its time, and it’s worth it. Guinness, fresh rosemary, and bold spices soak into the meat as it slow-cooks in a Dutch oven. The result? A beefy, rich, fall-apart masterpiece that makes any dinner feel like a celebration.
Get the Recipe: Guinness Pot Roast
Leftover Turkey Shepherd’s Pie
Got extra turkey? Skip the boring sandwiches. This shepherd’s pie loads up turkey, mashed potatoes, veggies, and a Guinness-infused gravy for a meal that actually makes leftovers exciting.
Get the Recipe: Leftover Turkey Shepherd’s Pie
Lamb Stew
This stew means business. Chunks of lamb, potatoes, and carrots get a serious upgrade thanks to Guinness, making every spoonful rich and hearty. Grab some crusty bread and call it a night.
Get the Recipe: Lamb Stew
Beer Braised Chicken Thighs
Guinness takes these chicken thighs to another level. They simmer in stout until they’re fall-apart tender, soaking up all that bold, malty flavor. It’s a budget-friendly meal that doesn’t cut corners on taste.
Get the Recipe: Beer Braised Chicken Thighs
Guinness Grilled Chicken
This chicken gets soaked in a Guinness marinade before hitting the grill. The beer locks in moisture and adds big flavor, making every bite juicy. Cook it on an outdoor grill or a grill pan indoors—it’s great either way.
Get the Recipe: Guinness Grilled Chicken
Irish Steak and Guinness Pie
Steak, root veggies, and mushrooms simmer in a Guinness gravy before getting tucked under a flaky puff pastry crust. It’s hearty, rich, and the kind of meal you make when you want something great and comforting.
Get the Recipe: Irish Steak and Guinness Pie
Beef Guinness Stew
This isn’t just any beef stew. Guinness takes it up a notch, making the beef extra tender and the broth extra bold. Whether you’re celebrating St. Patrick’s Day or just need a great bowl of stew, this one’s a winner.
Get the Recipe: Beef Guinness Stew
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.