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Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Dumplings

Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Dumplings
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Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Dumplings is a comforting, hearty meal featuring tender beef chunks slow-cooked in a rich, flavorful broth with classic vegetables, topped with soft, fluffy dumplings that soak up all the savory juices. Perfect for cozy evenings, this recipe is effortless, nutritious, and a family favorite that fills your kitchen with warm aromas.

Ingredients

Scale

Beef and Stew Base

  • 2 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into bite-sized chunks
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (for coating beef)
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme or 2 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (for searing beef)

Vegetables

  • 3 large carrots, roughly chopped
  • 3 medium potatoes, peeled and roughly chopped
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

Dumplings

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free option)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup milk

Instructions

  1. Prep and Sear the Beef: Cut the beef chuck roast into bite-sized chunks, pat dry, and toss with flour to coat evenly. Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the beef chunks on all sides until browned. This step locks in flavor and builds depth in the stew’s broth.
  2. Assemble the Ingredients in the Slow Cooker: Transfer the seared beef pieces to the slow cooker. Add the chopped carrots, potatoes, onions, minced garlic, bay leaves, and thyme. Pour in the beef broth and stir gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
  3. Slow Cook to Tender Perfection: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours or on high for about 4 hours. The slow cooking process tenderizes the beef and melds the flavors beautifully.
  4. Prepare the Dumpling Dough: While the stew is cooking, mix together flour, baking powder, salt, melted butter, and milk to form a soft, sticky dough suitable for dropping by spoonfuls.
  5. Add and Cook Dumplings: When the beef and vegetables are tender, drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough onto the stew surface. Cover and cook for another 20-30 minutes until the dumplings puff up and are cooked through, absorbing the stew’s flavors.

Notes

  • Patience is key: low and slow cooking yields tender beef and rich broth.
  • Don’t skip browning: searing adds caramelized depth to the stew.
  • Keep dumpling dough slightly sticky but manageable for the fluffiest texture.
  • Adjust liquid levels before adding dumplings if the stew is too thick by stirring in extra broth or water.
  • Add fresh parsley or thyme at the end for brightness and color.
  • To prevent dumplings from sticking to the lid, place a clean kitchen towel between the lid and slow cooker rim to catch condensation.

Nutrition

Keywords: beef stew, slow cooker, dumplings, comfort food, hearty stew, easy dinner, slow cooker recipe

Find it online: https://gourmetglazing.com/slow-cooker-beef-stew-with-dumplings/