Beef Stew and Dumplings

Beef Stew and Dumplings is a warm, filling dish that many families love.

Beef Stew and Dumplings — Introduction

Beef Stew and Dumplings brings meat, vegetables, and soft dumplings together in one pot for an easy meal.
This stew slowly cooks the beef until it is tender and the dumplings steam on top until fluffy.
If you like rich stews with a twist, try this related recipe Hearty coconut beef stew with potatoes and mushrooms for another flavor idea.

Why make this recipe — Beef Stew and Dumplings

Beef Stew and Dumplings is simple and comforting on cold days.
It uses common ingredients and gives you a full meal in one pot.
For more beef comfort-food ideas, see this take on meatballs and gravy Beef meatballs with onion mushroom gravy and mashed potatoes.

How to make Beef Stew and Dumplings

Beef Stew and Dumplings cooks the beef first, then adds vegetables and simmering broth.
The dumpling dough is dropped on top and cooks in the steam until soft and light.
Follow the Ingredients and Directions below for step-by-step details.

Ingredients for Beef Stew and Dumplings

• 2 lbs beef stew meat, cut into cubes
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 carrots, sliced
• 4 potatoes, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1 tsp rosemary
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup milk

Directions for Beef Stew and Dumplings

• 1. In a large pot, brown the beef over medium heat.
• 2. Add onion and garlic; sauté until soft.
• 3. Stir in tomato paste, broth, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
• 4. Add carrots and potatoes; bring to a simmer.
• 5. Cover and cook for about 1.5 to 2 hours until beef is tender.
• 6. In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
• 7. Cut in butter, then stir in milk to form a dough.
• 8. Drop spoonfuls of dumpling dough into the stew.
• 9. Cover and cook for another 15-20 minutes until dumplings are fluffy.
• 10. Serve hot.

How to serve Beef Stew and Dumplings

Serve Beef Stew and Dumplings hot in deep bowls so the dumplings stay soft.
Add a sprinkle of fresh parsley or a grind of black pepper if you like.
For a fun swap, you can serve the stew in bread bowls like this idea Beef stew in bread bowls.

How to store Beef Stew and Dumplings

Let the stew cool to room temperature before storing.
Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freeze the stew (without dumplings) for up to 3 months and add fresh dumplings when reheating.

Tips to make Beef Stew and Dumplings

• Brown the beef well for better flavor.
• Use low heat and slow cooking to make the meat tender.
• Do not lift the lid while the dumplings cook; the steam helps them rise.

Variation for Beef Stew and Dumplings

• Add mushrooms for an earthy flavor.
• Stir in a splash of red wine with the broth for depth.
• Swap some potatoes for parsnips or turnips for a twist.

FAQs — Beef Stew and Dumplings

Q: Can I use a slow cooker for Beef Stew and Dumplings?
A: Yes. Brown the beef first, then move everything to the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Add dumplings in the last hour so they stay soft.

Q: Can I make dumplings without baking powder?
A: Baking powder helps dumplings rise. If you do not have it, use a self-rising flour and skip added salt, or buy baking powder. Buy it here

Q: How do I reheat leftovers without making dumplings soggy?
A: Reheat stew on the stove until hot. If dumplings get soggy, make a fresh small batch and cook them right before serving.

Q: Can I make this recipe with stew beef substitutes?
A: Yes. Use chuck roast cut into cubes or even stew meat from the butcher for best texture.

Beef Stew and Dumplings

A warm and filling dish bringing tender beef, nutritious vegetables, and soft dumplings together in one pot for an easy and comforting meal.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 2 hours hrs

Total Time 2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American, Comfort Food

Servings 6 servings

Calories 450 kcal

Ingredients

  

For the beef stew

• 2 lbs beef stew meat, cut into cubes
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 unit onion, chopped
• 4 units carrots, sliced
• 4 units potatoes, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1 tsp rosemary
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the dumplings

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup milk

Instructions

 

Preparation

• In a large pot, brown the beef over medium heat.
• Add onion and garlic; sauté until soft.
• Stir in tomato paste, broth, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
• Add carrots and potatoes; bring to a simmer.
• Cover and cook for about 1.5 to 2 hours until beef is tender.

Dumpling Preparation

• In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
• Cut in butter, then stir in milk to form a dough.
• Drop spoonfuls of dumpling dough into the stew.
• Cover and cook for another 15-20 minutes until dumplings are fluffy.

Serving

• Serve Beef Stew and Dumplings hot in deep bowls so the dumplings stay soft.
• Add a sprinkle of fresh parsley or a grind of black pepper if you like.

Notes

Brown the beef well for better flavor. Use low heat and slow cooking to make the meat tender. Do not lift the lid while the dumplings cook; the steam helps them rise. For storage, let the stew cool to room temperature before storing. Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Freeze the stew (without dumplings) for up to 3 months and add fresh dumplings when reheating.

Keyword Beef Stew, Comfort Food, Dumplings, hearty, One Pot Meal