Hearty Beef Stew with Fluffy Dumplings Recipe
This hearty Beef Stew and Dumplings recipe features tender chunks of beef simmered slowly with potatoes and carrots in a rich broth, topped with fluffy, soft dumplings. Perfect for a comforting, filling meal on chilly days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours (slow cooker)
- Total Time: 6 hours 20 minutes to 8 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Stew Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
- 3 large carrots, peeled and sliced
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper to taste
Dumplings Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Prepare the beef: Heat the vegetable oil in a large slow cooker or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Brown the beef cubes on all sides to develop flavor, about 5-7 minutes.
- Sauté aromatics: Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot, cooking until softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add vegetables and broth: Stir in diced potatoes, sliced carrots, tomato paste, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Pour the beef broth over the ingredients, making sure everything is covered. Bring to a simmer.
- Slow cook the stew: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours until the beef is tender and vegetables are cooked through.
- Make dumplings: In a mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in milk and melted butter until just combined into a sticky dough.
- Add dumplings to stew: Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling batter onto the surface of the simmering stew. Cover tightly and cook for an additional 15-20 minutes without lifting the lid to allow dumplings to steam and become fluffy.
- Serve: Remove bay leaf, check seasoning, and serve the stew hot with the dumplings on top for a warming, comforting meal.
Notes
- For extra flavor, deglaze the pot with a splash of red wine after browning the beef.
- Vegetables can be varied according to preference; parsnips or turnips are excellent additions.
- Do not lift the lid while dumplings are cooking to ensure they steam properly.
- This recipe can be prepared in a slow cooker or on the stovetop using a heavy pot with adjusted cooking times.
Keywords: beef stew, dumplings, slow cooker beef stew, comfort food, hearty stew, slow cooked meal
