"Irish beef stew might be a recipe you've seen, it isn't as Irish as the name implies. Historically, Irish dishes revolve around sheep or pork as the protein source. Cows were mostly valued for dairy products; everyone knows that Irish butter is among the best, with KerryGold butter a firm favorite in Ireland and beyond. Beef in stew is most likely a result of English influence, and often features multiple root vegetables and a hearty pour of stout to balance the umami-richness of the beef."
"Originating in the early 19th century as a peasant food, a traditional Irish stew consists of mutton slow cooked with onions, potatoes, and barley in water. The slow-cooking cauldron method was useful to soften tough mutton cuts. The simple yet filling dish utilized basic and plentiful native ingredients and was a reliable meal that helped see many in Ireland through the Great Famine."
An Irish pub commonly serves hearty comfort food, with stews a popular choice. Authentic Irish stew is the national dish and is traditionally made with mutton or lamb, slow-cooked with onions, potatoes, and barley in water. Beef stew is less authentically Irish and likely reflects English influence; cows historically were prized for dairy rather than meat, contributing to Ireland's famed butter like KerryGold. Modern Irish stew often uses lamb instead of mutton. Mutton is gamier and tougher, requiring long cooking, while lamb is milder and more tender. Beef stews often include root vegetables and stout for richness.
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