Name: Hearty Irish Dublin Coddle with Guinness Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 3 h
Total time: 3 h 15 min
Cuisine: Irish
Ingredients: 1 pound bacon (thick sliced, sliced in ½-inch pieces); 1 pound pork sausages (fresh, cut in 1-inch pieces); 1 large onion (sliced); 1 pound potatoes (cut in cubes); 1 large carrot (peeled and cut into half moons); ¾ teaspoon salt (or to taste); ½ teaspoon pepper (or to taste); 1½ cups chicken broth (low sodium); ½ cup Guinness (or any dark Irish stout); 2 tablespoons parsley (chopped)

If you're craving something that truly warms you from the inside out, this Hearty Irish Dublin Coddle with Guinness Recipe is straight from my kitchen to yours. It’s a cozy, slow-braised stew that feels like a big Irish hug with every bite.

A large white pot filled with a stew that has many pieces of yellow potatoes, sliced orange carrots, and brown browned sausage chunks mixed with small bits of cooked bacon and herbs. The stew has a rich brown broth that lightly coats the ingredients and touches the sides of the pot. A wooden spoon is scooping up a portion of the stew, showing the thick, chunky texture of the potatoes, sausage, and carrots. Small green herbs are sprinkled over the stew, adding small spots of color. The pot sits on a white marbled surface with some green parsley leaves near the bottom right corner. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Hearty Irish Dublin Coddle with Guinness Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Hearty Irish Dublin Coddle with Guinness Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Hearty Irish Dublin Coddle with Guinness Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made this Dublin Coddle more times than I can count — it never disappoints. Whether you’re new to Irish cooking or just want a soulful dinner, this recipe gives you comfort and deep, rich flavors with minimal fuss.

Rich, Authentic Flavor: The Guinness and bacon create a broth that’s hearty and soul-satisfying.
Simple Ingredients: You probably have most of what you need already in your fridge or pantry.
Perfect for Slow Braising: Pop it in the oven and let it do its magic while you relax.
Feeds a Crowd: This recipe comfortably serves 4, making it perfect for family dinners or friendly gatherings.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Before we get cooking, a quick heads-up: using fresh, quality meats and root vegetables really brings this dish to life. Grab thick-cut bacon and fresh pork sausages—if you can find traditional Irish bangers, even better! Potatoes and carrots soak in all the savory goodness.

Flat lay of thick sliced pieces of fresh bacon, fresh pork sausages cut into 1-inch pieces, a large onion sliced into rings, cubed raw potatoes, a large peeled carrot cut into half moons, a small white bowl of salt, a small white bowl of black pepper, a small white bowl of golden chicken broth, a small white bowl of dark Irish stout, fresh chopped parsley sprinkled beside, all arranged in perfect symmetry on simple white ceramic bowls and plates, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Bacon: Thick-cut bacon adds smoky richness and renders fat that flavors the entire stew.
Pork Sausages: Fresh sausages give the dish hearty, meaty bites; authentic “bangers” are fantastic if you can find them.
Onion: Adds sweetness and depth as it slowly softens and melds with the other ingredients.
Potatoes: Cubed potatoes absorb the broth, thickening the stew and adding comforting texture.
Carrot: Brings a subtle sweetness and color contrast to the stew.
Salt and Pepper: Simple seasonings, but essential to balance and enhance all the flavors.
Chicken Broth: Forms the savory base of the stew, keeping it light yet flavorful.
Guinness (or any dark Irish stout): This is the star liquid—adds deep maltiness and richness you just can’t replicate.
Parsley: Fresh parsley sprinkled at the end adds a lovely herbal brightness to finish the stew.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best parts about making this Hearty Irish Dublin Coddle with Guinness Recipe is how adaptable it is. Whether you're aiming to keep it traditional or want to infuse your own twist, this stew welcomes your creativity with open arms.

Vegetarian Variation: I sometimes swap out the bacon and sausages for smoked mushrooms and vegetarian sausage alternatives. While it’s a departure from the classic, the smoky depth still shines through beautifully.
Seasonal Twist: Adding parsnips or turnips along with the carrots is a lovely way to enjoy a seasonal spin on the dish during colder months. It gives it a slightly sweeter profile that complements the Guinness broth perfectly.
Classic Layering: For a more authentic Irish experience, I recommend layering rather than mixing the ingredients before braising—the separate layers of bacon, sausage, onions, and potatoes make for a stunning presentation and subtle flavor gradients.
Non-Beer Option: If Guinness isn’t your thing, substituting it with extra chicken broth keeps the stew rich and comforting—just remember you’ll lose a bit of that signature stout complexity.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Hearty Irish Dublin Coddle with Guinness Recipe

A bowl with a colorful striped pattern holds a stew made of several layers: the bottom layer is a clear, brown broth, filled with chunks of yellow potatoes scattered throughout. Mixed in are small round pieces of meatballs with a smooth texture, and bits of cooked bacon that add a crispy, reddish-brown layer on top and between the potatoes and meat. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface, with white bread slices and fresh green cilantro nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Preheat the Oven to Perfect Slow-Braise

I always start by setting my oven to 300°F. This low, steady heat is key for gently braising the ingredients, letting flavors meld slowly without rushing the tenderizing of the meats and veggies. It’s all about patience here, so this step sets the stage for a rich, comforting stew.

Step 2: Render the Bacon to Release Its Flavor

Next, I add the thick sliced bacon pieces to my large Dutch oven over medium heat. I cook them until the fat mostly renders out and the bacon is halfway cooked—golden but not crispy. This step releases incredible smoky, savory goodness that infuses everything else later on.

Step 3: Brown the Sausages for Depth

With the bacon partly cooked, I add the chopped pork sausages. Stirring occasionally, I let them cook until no pink remains and they begin to brown lightly. This not only ensures the sausages are cooked through but also builds those caramelized notes that are so delicious in this dish.

Step 4: Combine Vegetables and Liquids

Time to add the sliced onion, cubed potatoes, and carrot half-moons, along with salt, pepper, chicken broth, and the star ingredient—half a cup of Guinness stout. I mix everything thoroughly and bring it to a gentle boil right on the stovetop. The aroma at this point starts to feel like a warm Irish kitchen.

Step 5: Slow-Braise in the Oven for 3 Hours

I cover the Dutch oven tightly with its lid and slide it into the preheated oven. Here, the magic happens—over the next three hours, the flavors deepen and all the ingredients become tender and meld perfectly. It’s worth the wait, I promise!

Step 6: Finish with Fresh Parsley and Serve Warm

When the braise is done, I remove the pot from the oven and sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top for a bright, herbaceous finish. Serve the coddle hot for a hearty, soul-warming dinner that celebrates all the best Irish flavors in one bowl.

Top Tip

These tips will help you get the most out of your Hearty Irish Dublin Coddle with Guinness Recipe, ensuring each bite is tender, flavorful, and authentically comforting.

Slow and Low Braising: Allowing the stew to braise gently in a 300°F oven for a full 3 hours really lets the flavors meld beautifully and makes every ingredient melt-in-your-mouth tender.
Render Bacon Fat First: Cooking the bacon just until it’s halfway done helps to release its rich fat for flavor without making it crisp, which keeps the stew perfectly moist.
Use Guinness or Dark Stout: Adding that ½ cup of Guinness brings depth and a subtle bitterness that balances the richness—don’t skip it if you want that traditional punch!
Layer Ingredients for Tradition: For a classic touch, try layering the bacon, sausages, onions, and potatoes instead of mixing them—this technique enhances texture and presentation.

How to Serve Hearty Irish Dublin Coddle with Guinness Recipe

A white round pot is shown in four stages of cooking. In the first stage, the pot is filled with raw pieces of sausage, light pink with some brown parts. In the second stage, chunks of yellow potatoes and sliced orange carrots are added on top of the sausage, bright and fresh. In the third stage, the pot contains sausage slices, potatoes, and carrots mixed and partly cooked in a light broth, showing soft textures and a slightly glossy look. In the final stage, the dish is fully cooked, with the sausage browned, potatoes and carrots soft, all mixed in a thick brown sauce with green herbs sprinkled on top. The pot sits on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

Fresh, bright parsley chopped and sprinkled over the top just before serving adds a lovely pop of color and a touch of herbal freshness that cuts through the rich stew beautifully. For an extra special touch, a small drizzle of good-quality Irish mustard on the side can add some lively heat.

Side Dishes

Hearty Irish Dublin Coddle goes wonderfully with rustic soda bread or a crusty loaf to soak up all the delicious juices. A simple side of steamed green cabbage or sautéed kale brings a bit of earthiness and balances the richness. Serve with a side of buttered peas for a true Irish comfort meal.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After your Hearty Irish Dublin Coddle cools completely, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator where it will keep well for up to 4 days. This allows the flavors to deepen even more as it rests!

Freezing

Freezing this stew isn’t recommended due to the potatoes, which tend to become mushy upon reheating. Instead, keep it refrigerated and enjoy within those few days, or if you must freeze, do so cautiously, knowing the texture might change.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in a 300°F oven for about 30 minutes until warmed through. This slow reheating preserves the stew’s texture and prevents any meat from drying out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other types of sausages instead of Irish pork sausages?

Yes, you can use any fresh pork sausages you like. Irish bangers are traditional and bring authentic flavor, but other quality pork sausages will work well too.

What can I substitute for Guinness if I don’t have any?

If you don’t have Guinness or prefer not to use beer, simply replace the ½ cup with additional chicken broth. The stew will be lighter but still delicious.

Is it necessary to braise the stew for 3 hours?

Braising for 3 hours allows the flavors to marry beautifully and the meats and vegetables to become tender. You can reduce time slightly, but the dish won’t be quite as rich or tender.

Can I prepare this dish in advance?

Absolutely! Prepare the stew, refrigerate it after cooking, and gently reheat when ready to serve. This also lets the flavors deepen for an even better eating experience.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly comforting about a slow-braised Hearty Irish Dublin Coddle with Guinness Recipe on a chilly evening. It’s a dish that’s steeped in tradition, rich with layers of flavor, and made all the better by the simple, quality ingredients and love that goes into it. Whether you’re celebrating an Irish holiday or simply craving a warm, hearty meal, this stew will feel like a cozy hug from the inside out. So gather your loved ones, pour a glass of your favorite stout, and enjoy every savory bite!