Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Dumplings

Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Dumplings: Ultimate Comfort Food 🍲🥟

If there’s one dish that defines cozy, home-cooked comfort, it’s hearty beef stew. Tender beef, fresh vegetables, and rich, savory broth come together, topped with light, fluffy dumplings that soak up every bit of flavor. It’s a meal that warms the heart and fills the kitchen with irresistible aromas.

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Ingredients and Their Roles

For the Stew:

• ➡️ 1 kg (2.2 lbs) stewing beef, cubed – Tender, juicy chunks of beef are the star of this stew.
• ➡️ 2 tbsp flour – Helps brown the beef and naturally thickens the stew.
• ➡️ 1 tsp salt & 1/2 tsp black pepper – Enhances all flavors.
• ➡️ 2 tbsp oil – For browning the beef, adding richness.
• ➡️ 1 onion, chopped – Adds sweetness and depth.
• ➡️ 3 carrots, sliced – Brings color and subtle natural sweetness.
• ➡️ 2 potatoes, diced – Adds heartiness and thickens the broth.
• ➡️ 2 celery stalks, chopped – Provides aromatic undertones.
• ➡️ 3 cloves garlic, minced – Infuses savory flavor.
• ➡️ 500 ml (2 cups) beef broth – Creates a flavorful base.
• ➡️ 400 g (1 can) diced tomatoes – Adds tang and balances richness.
• ➡️ 2 tbsp tomato paste – Concentrates flavor and enhances color.
• ➡️ 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce – Boosts umami depth.
• ➡️ 1 tsp dried thyme & 1 tsp dried rosemary – Earthy herbs that complement beef perfectly.
• ➡️ 2 bay leaves – Adds aromatic depth.

For the Dumplings:

• ◾️ 150 g (1 1/4 cups) self-raising flour – Forms the fluffy base.
• ◾️ 75 g (1/3 cup) suet or butter, grated – Creates tender texture.
• ◾️ 1/2 tsp salt – Enhances flavor.
• ◾️ 3–4 tbsp cold water – Binds ingredients into soft dough.

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Step-by-Step Instructions

✅ Step 1: Brown the Beef

• 👉 Toss beef in flour, salt, and pepper.
• 👉 Heat oil in a pan and brown beef in batches for maximum flavor. Transfer to slow cooker.

✅ Step 2: Add Vegetables

• 🔹️ Layer in onion, carrots, potatoes, celery, and garlic.

✅ Step 3: Build the Broth

• 🔹️ Pour in beef broth, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce.
• 🔹️ Sprinkle in thyme, rosemary, and add bay leaves. Stir to combine.

✅ Step 4: Slow Cook

• ➡️ Cover and cook on low for 7–8 hours or high for 4–5 hours until beef is tender.

✅ Step 5: Prepare Dumplings

• ◾️ Mix flour, suet (or butter), and salt.
• ◾️ Gradually add cold water to form soft dough.
• ◾️ Shape into small balls.

✅ Step 6: Add Dumplings to Stew

• 👉 Remove bay leaves.
• 👉 Drop dumplings on top and cook on high for 30–40 minutes until fluffy.

✅ Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

• 🔹️ Serve warm, straight from the slow cooker. Dumplings soak up the savory broth perfectly.

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Pro Tips for Perfection

• 🔹️ Brown beef properly – Skipping this step results in a less flavorful stew.
• 🔹️ Don’t overmix dumpling dough – Keeps them light and fluffy.
• 🔹️ Adjust seasoning at the end – The slow cooking intensifies flavors.

Serving Suggestions

• ✅ Pair with crusty bread or mashed potatoes for a complete comfort meal.
• ✅ Add a side of green beans or steamed broccoli for color and freshness.

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Summary

This Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Dumplings is the ultimate comfort food: rich, flavorful, and effortlessly easy. With tender beef, fresh vegetables, and pillowy dumplings, it’s a dish the whole family will love. Set it in the morning and come home to a hearty, satisfying dinner that tastes like it took hours—but required minimal effort. Perfect for any cozy night, this recipe is a must-try that truly outshines ordinary stew recipes.