Olivia Carter
If you’re looking for a comforting and satisfying meal on a cold day, look no further than beef stew and dumplings. This classic dish is hearty, full of flavour, and perfect for those times when you need a no-fuss, hands-off meal. And the best part? You can easily make it in your slow cooker, allowing the flavours to meld together and the meat to become tender and delicious.
To make beef stew and dumplings in a slow cooker, you’ll need a few key ingredients. Start with chunks of beef – you can use stewing beef, chuck roast, or any other cut that’s suitable for slow cooking. Brown the beef in a hot pan to seal in the juices and add depth of flavour. Then, transfer the beef to your slow cooker and add in your choice of vegetables – carrots, potatoes, and onions are classics, but feel free to add whatever you have on hand.
Next, it’s time to create the rich and savoury broth that will infuse your stew. Use beef broth, red wine, or a combination of both, along with some tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and herbs like thyme and bay leaves. Season with salt and pepper, then pour the broth over the beef and vegetables in the slow cooker. Set the slow cooker to low and let it cook for 6-8 hours, or until the beef is tender and the flavours have melded together.
Once the stew is almost done, it’s time to add the dumplings. These fluffy and tender bites of dough are the perfect finishing touch to your beef stew. To make the dumplings, combine self-rising flour, suet or butter, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Add enough cold water to form a soft dough, then roll the dough into small balls. Drop the dumplings into the slow cooker, cover, and let them cook for an additional 30 minutes, or until they’re cooked through.
Once the dumplings are done, it’s time to serve up your delicious beef stew and dumplings. Take a ladleful of the stew and dumplings, making sure to get some of the rich broth, tender beef, and hearty vegetables in each spoonful. Add a sprinkle of fresh herbs like parsley or thyme as a garnish, and enjoy your comforting and filling meal. Serve with crusty bread or mashed potatoes for a complete and satisfying dinner.
The Perfect Slow Cooker Recipe: Beef Stew and Dumplings
If you’re looking for a comforting and hearty meal that requires minimal effort, then this slow cooker beef stew and dumplings recipe is perfect for you. This recipe combines tender chunks of beef, fresh vegetables, and fluffy dumplings in a rich and flavorful broth, creating a delicious and soul-warming dish.
To start, gather the ingredients:
– 2 pounds of beef stew meat, cut into cubes
– 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
– 1 onion, diced
– 2 cloves of garlic, minced
– 4 carrots, peeled and sliced
– 2 potatoes, diced
– 2 celery stalks, sliced
– 2 cups of beef broth
– 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
– 1 bay leaf
– Salt and pepper to taste
– For the dumplings:
– 1 cup of all-purpose flour
– 2 teaspoons of baking powder
– 1/2 teaspoon of salt
– 1/2 cup of milk
– 2 tablespoons of melted butter
Next, follow these simple steps to prepare the beef stew:
1. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef stew meat in batches and brown on all sides. Transfer the browned meat to the slow cooker.
2. In the same skillet, add the diced onion and minced garlic. Cook until the onion is translucent and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. Transfer the onion and garlic to the slow cooker.
3. Add the sliced carrots, diced potatoes, and sliced celery to the slow cooker. Pour in the beef broth and add the dried thyme and bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir everything together.
4. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours or on high heat for 3-4 hours, until the beef is tender and the vegetables are cooked through.
5. While the beef stew is cooking, prepare the dumplings. In a bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Pour in the milk and melted butter, and stir until just combined.
6. During the last 30 minutes of cooking time, drop spoonfuls of the dumpling mixture onto the surface of the stew. Replace the lid and continue cooking until the dumplings are cooked through, about 30 minutes.
Once the beef stew and dumplings are ready, serve them hot and enjoy the comforting flavors. This dish is perfect for a cozy family dinner or for entertaining guests on a chilly evening. The slow cooker does all the work for you, allowing you to enjoy a delicious and satisfying meal with minimal effort.
Gather the Ingredients
Before you start cooking the beef stew and dumplings in the slow cooker, make sure you have all the necessary ingredients:
- 2 pounds of stewing beef, cut into cubes
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 cup of beef broth
- 1 cup of red wine
- 2 tablespoons of tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup of all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons of baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 2 tablespoons of butter, cold and cubed
- 1/2 cup of milk
- 1/4 cup of chopped fresh parsley
Make sure to gather all the ingredients before you begin, as this will make the cooking process much smoother. Once you have everything ready, you can start preparing the beef stew and dumplings in your slow cooker.
Prepare the Beef Stew
To make a delicious beef stew, you’ll need a slow cooker and a few simple ingredients. Follow these steps to prepare your beef stew:
1. Gather the Ingredients
Before you begin, make sure you have all the necessary ingredients on hand:
- 2 pounds of beef stew meat, cut into chunks
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 4 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 4 potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 2 cups of beef broth
- 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary
- Salt and pepper to taste
2. Brown the Beef
In a large skillet, heat some oil over medium-high heat. Add the beef chunks in batches and cook until browned on all sides. Transfer the browned beef to the slow cooker.
3. Sauté the Vegetables
In the same skillet, add the diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant. Add the carrots, potatoes, and celery, and cook for a few minutes until slightly softened. Transfer the sautéed vegetables to the slow cooker with the beef.
4. Add the Liquid and Seasonings
Pour the beef broth into the slow cooker, along with the Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, and dried rosemary. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and give everything a good stir to combine.
Your beef stew is now ready to cook in the slow cooker. Set it to low heat and let it simmer for 6-8 hours, or until the beef is tender and the flavors have melded together.
Add the Dumplings
Once the beef stew has been simmering for several hours and the meat is tender and cooked through, it’s time to add the dumplings. This step will add a delicious and comforting touch to your stew.
To make the dumplings, you’ll need:
- 1 cup self-raising flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons cold butter, diced
- 1/2 cup milk
In a mixing bowl, combine the self-raising flour, salt, and chopped fresh parsley. Add the cold butter and use your fingers to rub it into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. This will help create a light and fluffy texture for the dumplings.
Next, gradually add the milk to the flour mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in tough dumplings. The dough should be slightly sticky but manageable.
Shaping the Dumplings
Take a tablespoonful of the dough and shape it into a ball using your hands. Repeat this process until all the dough is used up. The size of the dumplings will depend on personal preference, but aim for golf ball-sized portions for a hearty stew.
Note: For an added burst of flavor, you can also add a bit of grated cheddar cheese or chopped herbs to the dough mixture.
Adding the Dumplings to the Stew
Carefully drop the shaped dumplings into the simmering stew, spacing them evenly across the surface. It’s important to resist the temptation to stir the stew after adding the dumplings, as this can cause them to break apart.
Cover the slow cooker with its lid and continue cooking for an additional 30 minutes to 1 hour, or until the dumplings have puffed up and are cooked through. They should be soft, light, and fluffy.
Tip: To test if the dumplings are fully cooked, insert a toothpick or skewer into the center of one. If it comes out clean, they are done.
Once the dumplings are cooked, they are ready to be served alongside the beef stew. Ladle the stew into bowls, making sure to include a generous portion of dumplings in each serving. The combination of tender beef, flavorful vegetables, and fluffy dumplings is sure to delight your taste buds.
Let it Simmer
Once all the ingredients are in the slow cooker, it’s time to let them simmer and meld together. The low and slow cooking method allows the flavors to develop and intensify, resulting in a rich and flavorful beef stew.
Set the slow cooker to low heat and cover it with the lid. Let the beef stew cook for about 8 hours, or until the meat is tender and the flavors have melded together.
During this time, resist the temptation to lift the lid and check on the stew too often. Each time you lift the lid, heat escapes and it takes extra time for the temperature to build back up. Trust the process and allow the slow cooker to work its magic.
Adjusting the Consistency and Seasoning
After the stew has simmered for several hours, you can adjust the consistency and seasoning according to your preference. If the stew is too thin, you can thicken it by adding a cornstarch slurry. In a separate bowl, mix equal parts cornstarch and cold water until smooth, then gradually stir it into the stew. Let it cook for an additional 30 minutes to allow the cornstarch to thicken the liquid.
For seasoning, taste the stew and add salt and pepper as needed. You can also add any additional herbs or spices if desired, such as thyme, rosemary, or paprika. Let the stew continue to cook for another 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Preparing the Dumplings
While the stew is simmering, you can prepare the dumplings. In a mixing bowl, combine self-rising flour, suet, salt, and herbs of your choice. Gradually add cold water and mix until you have a soft dough. Roll the dough into small balls, around the size of golf balls.
About an hour before serving, gently place the dumplings on top of the stew. Don’t overcrowd them, as they will expand as they cook. Replace the lid and let the dumplings cook for about an hour or until they are fluffy and cooked through.
Once the dumplings are cooked, you can ladle the beef stew and dumplings into bowls and serve hot. The tender beef, flavorful vegetables, and fluffy dumplings make for a hearty and satisfying meal.
Serve and Enjoy
Once your beef stew and dumplings are cooked to perfection in the slow cooker, it’s time to serve and enjoy this hearty comfort food. Follow these steps to serve and savor every bite:
Step 1: Ladle into Bowls
Using a large spoon or ladle, carefully scoop the beef stew and dumplings into individual serving bowls. Make sure to distribute the meat, vegetables, and dumplings evenly.
Step 2: Garnish
For an extra touch of flavor and presentation, you can garnish each bowl of beef stew with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or thyme. This will add a pop of color and enhance the aroma.
Step 3: Serve with Bread
Beef stew and dumplings pair perfectly with crusty bread or dinner rolls. Serve a few slices or rolls alongside the stew to soak up the delicious gravy and to add a satisfying crunch to your meal.
Step 4: Pair with Wine
If you like, you can elevate your dining experience by pairing your beef stew and dumplings with a glass of red wine, such as a merlot or cabernet sauvignon. The rich flavors of the stew will complement the robust notes of the wine.
Remember, cooking beef stew and dumplings in a slow cooker requires patience and time, but the result is worth it. Enjoy this comforting meal with your loved ones on a chilly evening or whenever you’re in need of a heartwarming dish. Bon appétit!
Questions and answers
What is beef stew and dumplings?
Beef stew and dumplings is a classic comfort food dish made with tender pieces of beef cooked in a rich and flavorful broth, along with vegetables like carrots, onions, and potatoes. The dumplings are soft and fluffy dough balls that are cooked in the stew, soaking up all the delicious flavors.
Can I make beef stew and dumplings in a slow cooker?
Yes, absolutely! Making beef stew and dumplings in a slow cooker is a great option, as it allows the flavors to develop slowly and the meat to become really tender. It also saves you time as you can set it and forget it, letting the slow cooker do all the work for you.
What ingredients do I need to make beef stew and dumplings in a slow cooker?
To make beef stew and dumplings in a slow cooker, you will need beef stew meat, flour, salt, pepper, oil, onion, garlic, carrots, potatoes, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, bay leaves, flour, baking powder, suet or vegetable shortening, and milk.
How long does it take to cook beef stew and dumplings in a slow cooker?
It typically takes about 6-8 hours to cook beef stew and dumplings in a slow cooker on low heat. However, cooking times may vary depending on your specific slow cooker, so it’s important to check the meat for tenderness and the dumplings for doneness before serving.
Can I freeze beef stew and dumplings?
Yes, you can freeze beef stew and dumplings! Once the stew has cooled, transfer it to an airtight container or freezer bag and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, simply thaw it in the fridge overnight and reheat it on the stove or in the microwave.
