Olivia Carter
If you’re looking for a hearty and comforting meal that requires minimal effort, then beef stew and dumplings in a slow cooker is the perfect recipe for you. This classic dish is packed with tender chunks of beef, flavorful vegetables, and pillowy dumplings that are sure to satisfy your taste buds.
The slow cooker is a great tool for making beef stew because it allows the flavors to meld together over a long period of time, resulting in a rich and delicious dish. Plus, using a slow cooker means you can set it and forget it, making it ideal for busy weeknights or lazy weekends.
To start, you’ll need to gather your ingredients. You’ll need stewing beef, such as chuck or stewing steak, as well as a variety of vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and onions. Don’t forget to stock up on beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and your favorite herbs and spices to add depth to the stew.
Once you have all your ingredients prepped, the next step is to brown the meat. This step is essential as it adds a depth of flavor to the stew. Simply heat some oil in a skillet and brown the beef on all sides. Once the beef is browned, transfer it to the slow cooker and add in your vegetables, broth, Worcestershire sauce, and spices. Give everything a good stir to ensure that all the flavors are well combined.
Tasty Beef Stew And Dumplings Recipe In Slow Cooker
If you’re looking for a hearty and delicious meal that practically cooks itself, then this beef stew and dumplings recipe is perfect for you. Made in a slow cooker, this recipe is convenient and requires minimal effort. The tender beef combined with flavorful vegetables simmering in a rich gravy is a comforting dish that everyone will love.
Ingredients:
| For the Beef Stew: | |
| – 2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized pieces | |
| – 1 onion, diced | |
| – 3 carrots, peeled and sliced | |
| – 3 potatoes, peeled and cubed | |
| – 2 cloves garlic, minced | |
| – 4 cups beef broth | |
| – 1 cup red wine (optional) | |
| – 2 teaspoons dried thyme | |
| – Salt and pepper, to taste | |
| For the Dumplings: | |
| – 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour | |
| – 2 teaspoons baking powder | |
| – 1/2 teaspoon salt | |
| – 1/2 cup milk | |
| – 2 tablespoons butter, melted |
Instructions:
- Place the beef stew meat, onion, carrots, potatoes, and garlic in a slow cooker.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the beef broth, red wine (if using), dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Pour this mixture over the ingredients in the slow cooker.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours, or on high heat for 4-5 hours, until the beef is tender.
- While the stew is cooking, prepare the dumplings. In a bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the milk and melted butter to the dry ingredients, and stir until just combined.
- When the stew is ready, drop spoonfuls of the dumpling mixture onto the surface of the stew.
- Cover the slow cooker again and cook for an additional 30-45 minutes on high heat, or until the dumplings are cooked through and fluffy.
- Serve the beef stew and dumplings hot. Enjoy!
This hearty beef stew and dumplings recipe is the perfect comfort food for a cozy dinner. The slow cooker does all the work for you, leaving you with a delicious and satisfying meal. Give it a try and enjoy the warm and comforting flavors!
Ingredients for Beef Stew
Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make a delicious beef stew:
- 2 pounds of beef stew meat, cubed
- 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 4 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 3 potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 4 cups of beef broth
- 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 cup of frozen peas
These ingredients will give your beef stew a rich and flavorful taste. Make sure to gather all the ingredients before you begin cooking.
Instructions for Cooking Beef Stew
To cook beef stew in a slow cooker, follow these simple steps:
- Preparation:
- Chop the beef into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
- Peel and chop the onions, carrots, and potatoes.
- Mince the garlic cloves.
- Measure out the beef broth and tomato paste.
- Browning the Meat:
- Heat some oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add the beef to the skillet and cook until browned on all sides.
- Transfer the browned beef to the slow cooker.
- Discard any excess oil from the skillet.
- Adding the Vegetables and Flavors:
- Add the chopped onions, carrots, and potatoes to the slow cooker.
- Sprinkle the minced garlic over the vegetables.
- In a separate bowl, mix the beef broth and tomato paste until well combined.
- Pour the beef broth mixture over the vegetables and beef in the slow cooker.
- Add any additional seasonings or herbs according to your preferences.
- Cooking the Beef Stew:
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 8-10 hours, or on high heat for 4-6 hours.
- Stir the stew occasionally during cooking to ensure even distribution of flavors.
- Serving:
- Once the beef is tender and the vegetables are cooked through, the stew is ready to be served.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve the beef stew hot with dumplings or a side of crusty bread.
Enjoy your delicious homemade beef stew!
Ingredients for Dumplings
For the dumplings in this beef stew recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 1 cup |
| Baking powder | 2 teaspoons |
| Salt | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Butter | 2 tablespoons, cold and cubed |
| Milk | 1/2 cup |
To make the dumplings, you will combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl. Then, you will cut in the cold, cubed butter using a pastry blender or a fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Next, you will gradually add the milk, stirring until the dough comes together.
Once the dough is ready, you can shape it into small balls or drop spoonfuls of it onto the simmering stew. The dumplings will cook and expand during the remaining cooking time, absorbing the flavors of the stew.
These simple dumplings add a delicious and comforting element to the beef stew, making it a complete and hearty meal. Enjoy!
Step-by-step Instructions for Making Dumplings
Once your beef stew has been simmering for a few hours, it’s time to prepare the dumplings to go along with it. Follow these simple steps to make fluffy, delicious dumplings that will perfectly complement your stew:
Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients
Before you begin, gather the following ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir them together until they are well-mixed.
Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk and melted butter. Then, pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the dumplings tough.
Step 4: Drop Dumplings into Stew
Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop spoonfuls of the dumpling batter onto the simmering stew. Make sure to distribute them evenly across the surface of the stew.
Step 5: Cover and Cook
Place the lid back on the slow cooker and allow the dumplings to cook for about 20-30 minutes. They will puff up and become light and fluffy.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Once the dumplings are cooked through, your beef stew and dumplings are ready to be enjoyed! Serve them hot and savor the comforting flavors of this classic dish.
Now that you know how to make dumplings from scratch, you can easily elevate any soup or stew into a hearty and satisfying meal. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different herbs and seasonings to customize the flavor to your liking. Happy cooking!
Questions and answers
What is beef stew and dumplings?
Beef stew and dumplings is a classic dish that consists of tender chunks of beef simmered in a rich and flavorful broth, along with vegetables, herbs, and spices. The dumplings are soft and fluffy balls of dough that are cooked on top of the stew, absorbing all the delicious flavors.
Can I cook beef stew and dumplings in a slow cooker?
Absolutely! Using a slow cooker is a great way to cook beef stew and dumplings. The slow cooker allows the flavors to develop and the meat to become tender and juicy. Plus, it’s a convenient and hands-off method of cooking, as you can simply set it and forget it until it’s time to enjoy your delicious meal.
