MASH-TOPPED BEEF & GUINNESS PIE Recipe

This Mash-Topped Beef & Guinness Pie is a rich and savory recipe, which is made with tender stewing beef and dark Guinness. It’s the ultimate comfort food recipe, ready in about 3 hours.

MASH-TOPPED BEEF & GUINNESS PIE Recipe Ingredients

For the Beef Filling:

• 2 onions
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 2 carrots
• 3 stalks of celery
• 2 fresh bay leaves
• ½ a bunch of fresh thyme
• Olive oil
• 500g stewing beef (2.5cm dice)
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 600ml Guinness
• 2 teaspoons brown sugar

For the Mashed Potato Topping:

• 450g potatoes
• 75ml milk
• 1 tablespoon butter
• Sea salt and black pepper

How To Make MASH-TOPPED BEEF & GUINNESS PIE Recipe

1. Prep the Vegetables and Herbs: Peel and roughly chop the onions, garlic, and carrots. Trim and roughly chop the celery. Tie the bay leaves and thyme sprigs together with kitchen string to create a bouquet garni.
2. Sauté the Vegetables: Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large casserole pan over a medium heat. Add the chopped vegetables and the herb bundle, toss to coat, and season. Cook, covered, for 10 minutes, or until the vegetables are softening, stirring occasionally. Transfer the vegetables to a plate.
3. Brown the Beef: Toss the beef cubes in the flour and season with salt and pepper. Add another splash of oil to the same pan and cook the beef until browned on all sides. You may need to do this in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
4. Deglaze and Simmer: Pour the Guinness into the pan to deglaze, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Return the cooked vegetables and herbs to the pan. Add the brown sugar and top up with a little water if needed to just cover the meat and vegetables. Bring to a boil, then cover, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for about 2 hours, or until the meat is very tender.
5. Make the Mash Topping: While the beef is simmering, cook the potatoes in a large pan of boiling salted water until tender. Drain them well. Mash the potatoes with the milk, butter, and a pinch of sea salt and black pepper until smooth.
6. Assemble and Bake: Preheat the oven to 200ºC/400ºF/gas 6. Remove the herb bundle from the stew. Transfer the beef filling to an ovenproof dish. Spoon the mashed potatoes over the top, using a fork to create a textured surface. Drizzle with a little olive oil.
7. Final Bake: Bake for 20 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling at the edges.

Recipe Tips

• What is the best cut of beef for this pie? “Stewing beef” typically refers to cuts like chuck, brisket, or round. These tougher, well-marbled cuts are perfect because they become incredibly tender and flavorful during the long, slow simmering process.
• Why use Guinness in the stew? Guinness, a type of stout beer, adds a deep, rich, and slightly bitter flavor that is a classic pairing with beef. It helps to tenderize the meat and creates a complex, savory gravy.
• Can I make this pie ahead of time? Absolutely. The beef filling can be made up to two days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. The flavor will actually improve over time. Simply assemble with the freshly made mash topping and bake when you’re ready to serve.
• How do I get a crispy mashed potato topping? After spreading the mash over the filling, use the tines of a fork to rough up the surface, creating peaks and valleys. Drizzling a little olive oil over the top before baking will help these peaks get extra golden and crispy.

What To Serve With Beef & Guinness Pie

This hearty pie is a complete meal in itself, but it pairs wonderfully with simple green vegetables.

• Steamed green beans or peas
• Sautéed cabbage or kale
• A simple green salad with a sharp vinaigrette
• Crusty bread for soaking up the gravy

How To Store Beef & Guinness Pie

• Refrigerate: Let the pie cool completely, then cover it tightly and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Freeze: You can freeze the assembled, unbaked pie for up to 3 months. Thaw it completely in the refrigerator before baking as directed, possibly adding 10-15 minutes to the baking time. The beef filling also freezes very well on its own.

Beef & Guinness Pie Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 650 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 50g
• Protein: 45g
• Fat: 28g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Sodium: 700mg
• Sugar: 15g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Try More Recipes:

• Beef Tacos Recipe
• Beef Brisket with Red Wine & Shallots Recipe
• Beef & Quince Stew Recipe