Description
Looking for the ultimate comfort meal? This Slow Cooker Beef Stew and Dumplings is the perfect answer to cold days and busy schedules. With tender beef, hearty vegetables, and fluffy homemade dumplings, it’s a cozy, satisfying dish the whole family will love. This easy recipe is ideal for quick dinners, cozy weekend meals, or when you want something warm and nourishing. Think of it as one of your go-to healthy-ish dinner ideas with the soul of a classic. A must-try in your collection of dinner recipes and slow cooker food ideas.
Ingredients
2 pounds chuck roast or stewing beef, trimmed and cut into chunks
3 carrots, peeled and chopped
2 parsnips, peeled and chopped
3 Yukon gold potatoes, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups beef broth
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 bay leaf
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons water
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons cold butter, cubed
1/2 cup milk
Instructions
1. Brown the beef chunks in a skillet over medium-high heat until seared on all sides. Optional but adds rich flavor.
2. In the slow cooker, add onions, garlic, carrots, parsnips, and potatoes. Place the browned beef on top.
3. In a bowl, whisk together beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and bay leaf. Pour into the slow cooker.
4. Cover and cook on low for 7–8 hours or high for 4–5 hours until beef and vegetables are tender.
5. Mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water and stir into the stew 30 minutes before serving to thicken the broth.
6. In a mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, butter, and milk. Stir just until dough forms.
7. Drop spoonfuls of dumpling dough on top of the stew. Cover and cook on high for 30–45 minutes until dumplings are puffed and cooked through.
8. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired and serve warm.
Notes
Browning the beef first isn’t required, but it adds a deeper flavor to your stew.
Always keep the lid on while cooking the dumplings — they steam cook and fluff up properly this way.
If your stew thickens too much when reheated, just add a splash of broth or water to restore the consistency.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups stew with dumplings
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: slow cooker, beef stew, dumplings, comfort food, easy dinner