If you’re struggling to find a winter beer to sip on until the days get warmer, look no further than a super dark and foamy stout. Its deep flavors often evoke coffee and chocolate, and are perfect when paired (or cooked) with long braises, cheesy sides and homey desserts. So raise your glass and check out these 21 recipes that use winter stout beers to their fullest advantage.
1. Pumpkin Beer Risotto With Coffee and Chocolate Stout Glazed Short Ribs: Deep, dark and heavy stout is the secret ingredient for braising these meaty ribs until they fall off the bone. The pumpkin beer in the risotto also brings out the stout’s sweetness. (via The Devil Wears Parsley)
2. Stout-Battered Onion Rings: Use stout as a rich beer flavor in the batter for your onion rings. Then pair it with any beer for a great party snack. (via Serious Eats)
3. Poutine with Stout Gravy and Scallions: Beer is already an ideal pairing for this snack of fries and cheese curds. But adding stout to the classic gravy on top yields a flavor-packed pub food explosion. (via A Better, Happier St. Sebastian)
4. Irish Stout Soda Bread: This soda bread is packed with beer, making it soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. We recommend serving this with lots of cheese and butter and plenty of stout on the side. (via Yes, More Please)
5. Stout-Glazed Carrots: Pick a stout with hints of vanilla and some hops to counteract the sweetness of the carrots. You will not regret it. (via Life Food and Beer)
6. Cheddar and Stout Meatloaf: Meatloaf doesn’t have to be boring or gross. Wrap it in bacon and mix in some stout to really pump up the flavor. (via Relishing It)
7. Stout Meatballs With Beer Barbecue Glaze: Serve this appetizer to friends who love beer as much as you do. It might just be the perfect hors d’oeuvres for this year’s Super Bowl party. (via The Beeroness)
8. Stout Caramelized Onion Hand Pies: Glazing caramelized onions with beer helps you snatch up all those delicious brown bits at the bottom of the pan. The result makes a rich gravy that’s absolutely wonderful inside a warm pie crust. (via In Sock Monkey Slippers)
9. Smoky Stout Short Ribs with Cauliflower Mash: We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again; short ribs braised in beer are a match made in meat heaven. Serve any kind of warm root mash alongside for the ultimate hearty winter meal. (via Bites N Brews)
10. Honey Mushroom Stout Chicken: Crispy-skinned chicken paired with a beer and mushroom gravy is the epitome of simple comfort food. Serve with the Irish soda bread from above and you’re all set. (via The Beeroness)
11. Ultimate Vegan Chili: How do you give vegan chili a flavorful punch? Pack it full of dark stout with coffee tones for tons of umami. (via 40 Aprons)
12. Spicy Miso Stout Udon Noodle Soup: Bet you never thought of pairing dark beer with Japanese food, but trust that adding a dash of stout to this comforting stock will be the best move you’ve made in a long time. (via The Beeroness)
13. Stout Gingerbread Flip: Beer, rum, ginger liqueur and chocolate bitters pack an alcoholic punch in this drink. We’re thinking this would be just the co*cktail to serve at your next wintertime dinner party. (via 10th Kitchen)
14. Beeramisu: Irish Cream and Guinness take the place of coffee in this well-known Italian dessert. Another boozy, sweet ending to a meal? Sign us up. (via Serious Eats)
15. Chocolate Stout Cake: Here, fudgy chocolate cake gets its decadence from sour cream, cocoa and stout (of course). The cream cheese frosting is surprisingly light and pairs beautifully with the dark cake. (via Pancakes and Peonies)
16. Whiskey and Stout Ice Cream Float: Watch out with this sweet drink, ’cause it goes down reeeal easy but it will whoop you over the head if you sip it too fast. And no, we’re not talking about a brain freeze. (via The Little Epicurean)
17. Rocky Road Stout Brownie Cups: Pick the darkest stout you can find to match the richness of the chocolate in these bites. They taste just like rocky road ice cream in brownie form. (via Cooking and Beer)
18. Chocolate Stout Cupcakes With Caramel Filling + Cinnamon Buttercream: These are the ultimate decadent cupcakes, thanks to plenty of chocolate, cinnamon, beer and caramel. Nom nom, indeed. (via NomNom Kingdom)
19. Pumpkin Beer Brownies: Pumpkin + stout? Our fall favorite and winter obsession combine here to make the perfect treat for sipping and adding to brownies. (via Land of Noms)
20. Stout Marshmallows: These marshmallows are topped with pretzels and chocolate for a luscious lil’ bite. And yes, they’re probably ah-mazing in hot chocolate. (via Yes, More Please)
21. Chocolate Stout Caramel Tart with Pretzel Crust: Sweet, salty, crunchy, smooth and chewy — this dessert has it all. (via The Beeroness)
Which of these recipes calls to your beer tooth? Dying to make any of the dishes above? Tell us which ones in the comments!
Nora Landis-Shack
Nora is a writer, photographer, foodie and feminist. After living in New York City for 23 years, she recently moved San Francisco and can't wait to explore. When she's not pursuing her interests in health and technology, she loves hiking, yoga, playing piano and squealing over kittens as an ASPCA volunteer.
