The Ultimate Irish Comfort Food Is Ready In Just 15 Minutes With This Costco Prepared Meal

Life can be busy, and some shoppers might be looking for quick dinners that save time, especially during the work week. Sometimes all you want is a comforting, easy-to-make bowl of food after a long day at the office. A ready-made item at Costco might be the answer to your prayers: Ruprecht's Irish Beef Stew. This cozy, savory bowl of beef, potatoes, pearl onions, and carrots in a rich broth is ready in 15 minutes. Swap an hour of stewing together ingredients on the stove for this quicker option full of umami-forward, rich flavor.

The ready-to-make stew comes in a plastic package. According to the packaging, you can empty the packet into a pot and cook, microwave it directly in a bowl, or sous vide (boil it in water). Any of these options work, but we suggest the stovetop method. Cooking this way allows you to add ingredients and seasoning for extra flavor, if you'd like. For add-ins, fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme are great additions, providing an herby flavor that complements the rich stew nicely. Pair with a crusty, toasted piece of bread (homemade is great, but a good store-bought sourdough works too) and you've got a delicious dinner option.

The stew is available at Costco with the cost being determined by weight. Online, a package is listed for $23.59 on average. This is a bit pricey for an easy dinner option, but buying it prepackaged cuts out cooking and shopping time. Plus, the good-quality ingredients, not to mention the plethora of positive reviews on Reddit, make it worth a try. 

Unlike some other ready-made meals, which are barely reminiscent of the dishes they're trying to emulate, Ruprecht's rendition of Irish stew seems true to form with its simple list of ingredients. Authentic Irish stew is a staple dish in Irish cuisine, going way back. The dish (originally made with mutton) came from hard times in Ireland's history when there weren't many food options available. It was made by simmering the meat, onions, and potatoes in a pot on the stove until everything was tender. Over time, the dish became an important part of Ireland's culinary landscape, known for its deep flavors and the warmth it provided during colder months. When Irish immigrants moved to the U.S., beef became a more common addition, producing the comforting, cozy dish we know today. Irish stew's beauty is in its simplicity, and this version understands the brief, keeping the dish basic while only adding a few extras.

One addition to the classic version is carrots — those were added to the recipe later down the line alongside stout, for extra nutritional value and flavor. This version also has gravy for added flavor, and contains pearl onions instead of regular onions. What are pearl onions, exactly? These bite-sized globes are miniature onions chock full of flavor, great for a hearty meal like this one. So while there are a few additions that traditional Irish stew lacks, they work well together without overpowering the dish.

Making homemade stew is a lovely way to spend a rainy afternoon if you avoid the most common mistakes. But, if you prefer a quicker option with quality ingredients that is largely authentic, keep your eye out on your next Costco trip for this one.