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First things first—I owe you an apology for the lack of posts the last couple of weeks. I’m working on being more consistent… and if you want the unfiltered version of life, you can now follow along on TikTok or Instagram (get ready for the real shenanigans).

St. Patrick’s Day Leftovers = Opportunity

Wednesday was St. Patrick’s Day, and lucky for you, I’m part Irish (still working on tracing my grandfather’s side, but we’re definitely leaning Celtic).

Last weekend, I somehow ended up with several 6-packs of Guinness that needed to be used. And instead of letting it sit in the fridge, I decided to put it to work.

If you didn’t know—Guinness adds deep coffee and chocolate notes that make savory dishes richer and desserts even better.

Here are some easy ways to use it.

1. Corned Beef & Cabbage (Level It Up)

If you didn’t make corned beef and cabbage this week… I’m judging you just a little.

Adding a bottle of Guinness to your crockpot or Dutch oven (I love this color, it’s my favorite) takes this classic dish to the next level. It deepens the flavor and gives the broth a richer, more complex taste.

2. Guinness Beef Stew

A good Guinness beef stew creates a thick, rich, dark gravy that’s hard to beat. Just add a can of Guinness to your mix of:

• Beef
• Potatoes
• Carrots
• Celery
• Onion

Let it simmer low and slow, and you’ll end up with a hearty, comforting meal.

👉 Pro tip: Cut back on liquid and you’ve basically got yourself a killer pot roast.

3. Guinness Chili (Learn From My Mistake)

Naturally, I decided to make a big pot of Guinness chili.

I used:

• A mix of meats – ground beef, plant based ground, and sausage ball meat
• Three types of beans – black bean, red kidney beans, and pinto
• Fresh tomatoes + tomato paste
• Onion
• Large selection of seasonings
  

It was looking chef’s kiss perfect…

Until I mixed everything together and realized I had added two cups of veggie broth instead of Guinness.

Insert face palm here.

Lesson learned: don’t get distracted mid-recipe. But honestly? Still turned out pretty good.

4. Guinness Chocolate Cake (Next on My List)

And finally—dessert.

Guinness works surprisingly well in chocolate recipes because it enhances those deep cocoa flavors. I found a Guinness chocolate cake recipe that looks super easy and rich.

I haven’t made it yet, but I’ll report back soon.

5. Guinness Beer Bread (3-Ingredient Easy Recipe)

This is one of my go-to recipes for using leftover beer, and honestly—it doesn’t get easier than this.

I use the same super simple 3-ingredient beer bread recipe no matter what beer I have on hand, but Guinness is my favorite. It gives the bread a slightly rich, malty flavor that pairs perfectly with savory meals.

Bonus? You can double dip on flavor by using it for:

• Open-faced roast beef sandwiches
• Mashed potatoes
• And of course… Guinness gravy

Comfort food at its finest.

Ingredients

• 3 cups self-rising flour
• 3 tbsp sugar
• 1 (12 oz) Guinness (or any beer)
  

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F
2. In a bowl, mix flour and sugar
3. Pour in the beer and stir until combined (don’t overmix)
4. Pour batter into a greased loaf pan
5. Bake for 45–50 minutes or until golden brown

Throw some butter on it and let it cool slightly, slice, and serve.

Why Cook with Guinness?

If you’ve got leftover beer sitting around, don’t waste it.

Guinness adds:

• Rich, deep flavor to stews and meats
• A slightly bitter balance to savory dishes
• Enhanced chocolate notes in desserts

It’s one of the easiest ways to upgrade simple recipes without much effort.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re cooking for St. Patrick’s Day or just trying to use what’s already in your fridge, Guinness is a surprisingly versatile ingredient.

Now I want to know—what’s your favorite way to use Guinness? Drop it in the comments because I clearly need to redeem myself after that chili situation.