Description
This comforting Slow Cooker Beef Stew and Dumplings is a cozy, hearty meal that’s easy to make and packed with tender beef, flavorful vegetables, and fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth dumplings. Perfect for chilly nights or lazy weekends, this dish delivers warm, savory goodness with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1.5 lbs beef stew meat (chuck or similar cut)
- 3 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
- 3 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups beef broth (or stock)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp thyme (dried or fresh)
- 1 tsp rosemary (dried or fresh)
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (for thickening)
- 2 tsp baking powder (for dumplings)
- 1/4 cup milk (or buttermilk)
- 1/4 cup butter (cold and cubed)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil and brown the beef stew meat on all sides (about 4-5 minutes). Transfer the beef to the slow cooker.
- Add the Veggies and Broth: Add chopped carrots, potatoes, onions, garlic, and herbs to the slow cooker with the beef. Stir in tomato paste and pour beef broth over the mixture. Season with salt and pepper.
- Cook the Stew: Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours (or on high for 4-5 hours) until beef is tender and vegetables are cooked through.
- Make the Dumplings: About 30 minutes before serving, mix flour, baking powder, salt, and cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add milk to form a soft dough.
- Add the Dumplings: Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough onto the stew. Cover and cook on high for 30-40 minutes until the dumplings rise and are cooked through.
- Serve and Enjoy: Ladle the stew into bowls, ensuring each portion gets some dumplings. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
Browning the beef adds flavor, so don’t skip that step.
For fluffier dumplings, avoid overmixing the dough.
If the stew is too thick, add a bit more broth. If too thin, cook uncovered to reduce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl with stew and 2-3 dumplings
- Calories: 550-600
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 80mg