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Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Dumplings is a rich, from-scratch crockpot dinner made with tender beef, vegetables, red wine, and fluffy dumplings. This hearty, no-potato stew is perfect for cozy nights.
A comforting meal of Beef Stew and Dumplings is perfect for this cold weather. We often make Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings, but this beef version is a great change. I take my classic beef stew flavors and add homemade dumplings on top, and the slow cooker does all the work!
Key Ingredients
Beef Stew Meat: Chuck roast cut into chunks works best; it becomes tender as it cooks low and slow.
Vegetables: Onion, carrots, mushrooms, and garlic create a hearty, classic stew base.
Sauce: Seasonings, beef broth, red wine, tomato paste and diced tomatoes make up the sauce.
Dumplings: Made from flour, baking powder, butter, and milk, then dropped on top to cook into soft, fluffy bites.
How to Make Beef Stew with Dumplings
- Brown the beef to build flavor, then load everything into the crockpot.
- Let it cook low and slow until rich, tender, and stew-like.
- Drop the dumplings on top and finish until they’re light and fluffy.
Tips and Variations
Skip the wine: Simply add more beef broth.
More Vegetables: Add potatoes, green beans, celery, or mushrooms for more heartiness. A half cup of frozen green peas is a great touch too.
Thickness: The stew will thicken even further after the dumplings are added.
How to Serve Beef Stew with Dumplings
Toppings: If you like to top your soup off with something, simply add freshly ground black pepper and a dollop of sour cream.
Sides: Since this is a complete meal (the dumplings are like bread!), you can add a fresh green salad if desired or just serve as-is.
Can Bisquick Dumplings be Used?
Yes, mix together 2 1/2 cups of bisquick with 2/3 cup milk and drop the dumplings into the hot stew. Cook with the lid on for one hour longer.
Can Canned Biscuits be Used as Dumplings?
Yes! Cut 7 Pilsbury refrigerated biscuits into quarters. Add to the stew and cook with the lid on for 45 minutes.
How to Store:
Since there are no potatoes or dairy in this recipe, this freezes and thaws well! Freeze for up to 3 months or refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Beef Stew with Dumplings
How to Video
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chuck roast, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 4 medium carrots, peeled and sliced into 1-inch pieces
- 8 oz sliced mushrooms
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup red wine
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 2 bay leaves
For the Dumplings:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons cold butter, cubed
- ½ cup milk
Instructions
- In a medium sized bowl, season the beef cubes with 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper, then toss them in the flour until evenly coated.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the beef in batches until browned on all sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer the beef to the slow cooker.
- To the slow cooker, add the onion, carrot, mushrooms, garlic, tomato paste, diced tomatoes with juice, beef broth, red wine, Italian seasoning, and bay leaves. Stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours, until the beef is tender and the vegetables are cooked through.
- About 30 minutes before the stew is done, make the dumplings. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the milk until a soft dough forms.
- Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough onto the surface of the stew, leaving space between each dumpling. Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 25-30 minutes, or until the dumplings are puffed up and cooked through.
- Remove the bay leaves before serving. Serve the stew hot with the dumplings on top. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
More Slow Cooker Stews
Try Shipwreck Stew, Split Pea Stew, or Crockpot Chicken Stew when you want something hearty and easy.
Camp Stew, Guinness Beef Stew, and Slow Cooker Venison Stew are great options for rich, slow-cooked flavor.
Poor Man’s Stew is another simple, budget-friendly meal that’s perfect for feeding a crowd.
