Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Dumplings

Here’s a hearty, comforting recipe for Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Dumplings — tender chunks of beef simmered with vegetables in a rich gravy, topped with soft, fluffy dumplings that soak up all that savory flavor. Perfect for cozy evenings or make-ahead meals.

🥣 Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Dumplings

🔹 Ingredients

For the Beef Stew:

2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1½-inch cubes
2 tbsp flour (for dredging)
Salt and pepper
2 tbsp oil (for browning)
4 cups beef broth
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp rosemary
2 bay leaves
1 large onion, chopped
3 carrots, peeled and sliced
2–3 potatoes, peeled and diced
2 celery stalks, sliced
1 cup frozen peas (add at the end)
2 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (for thickening, optional)

For the Dumplings:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tbsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp dried thyme (optional)
3 tbsp cold butter, cubed
¾ cup milk (plus more if needed)
Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

🔪 Instructions

1. Brown the Beef (optional but recommended):

Toss beef with salt, pepper, and flour.
In a hot skillet, sear beef cubes in oil until browned on all sides. Work in batches and transfer to the slow cooker.

2. Assemble the Stew in the Slow Cooker:

Add browned beef, chopped onions, carrots, potatoes, celery, garlic, broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves to the slow cooker.
Stir to combine. Cover and cook:
- Low: 8–9 hours
- High: 4–5 hours

3. Thicken the Stew (optional):

30 minutes before it’s done, mix 2 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp cold water and stir into the stew to thicken.
Add peas at this point too.

4. Make the Dumplings:

In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, salt, and thyme.
Cut in cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Stir in milk just until a soft dough forms (do not overmix).
Drop spoonfuls of dough on top of the hot stew (about 8 dumplings).

5. Cook the Dumplings:

Cover the slow cooker and cook on High for another 45–60 minutes. Don’t lift the lid during the first 30 minutes — the dumplings need steam to cook through.
They should be puffed and cooked through (a toothpick should come out clean from the center).

🍽️ To Serve:

Ladle stew into bowls with a dumpling or two on top. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with crusty bread if you’re extra hungry.

Would you like an oven version, gluten-free dumplings, or a wine-enhanced stew variation