Beef Stew and Dumplings Recipe – Hearty One-Pot Comfort Food

A rustic bowl of beef stew with tender chunks of beef, carrots, and peas, topped with fluffy golden dumplings and garnished with fresh thyme.
Tender beef, hearty veggies, and pillowy dumplings—this stew is pure comfort in a bowl. 🥣🍖
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Why Beef Stew and Dumplings Is the Ultimate Comfort Food

There’s nothing quite like a bubbling pot of beef stew and dumplings to warm you from the inside out. It’s the kind of meal that fills your kitchen with mouthwatering aromas and your bowl with pure comfort. With slow-cooked beef, rich, savory gravy, and fluffy dumplings that soak up every drop, this dish is a cold-weather favorite for good reason.

Perfect for chilly nights, family dinners, or Sunday meal prep, it’s hearty, satisfying, and surprisingly simple to make. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just craving something cozy, beef stew and dumplings delivers big on flavor and nostalgia.

So pull out your Dutch oven, grab a spoon, and get ready to enjoy one of the most soul-soothing meals you’ll ever make.

What Is Beef Stew and Dumplings?

Beef stew and dumplings is a beloved comfort food classic in both British and American kitchens. It features tender chunks of beef slowly simmered with root vegetables in a deeply flavorful broth or gravy.

What sets this dish apart is the addition of dumplings—soft, pillowy dough balls that cook right on top of the stew. In the UK, dumplings are often made with suet, while American versions lean toward biscuit-style dumplings made with butter or shortening.

The result is a one-pot wonder that’s rich, rustic, and deeply satisfying. It’s the kind of meal that brings people together and makes you feel right at home.

Whether served in deep bowls with crusty bread or straight from the pot at the table, beef stew and dumplings is a timeless dish that never goes out of style.

Ingredient Breakdown: What You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll need to make a hearty pot of beef stew and dumplings:

Beef

  • 2 lbs beef chuck or stewing beef, cut into 1½-inch cubes

Vegetables

  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 carrots, sliced
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 2 potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 1 small turnip, peeled and diced

Liquids

  • 4 cups beef stock
  • ½ cup red wine (optional)
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

Seasonings

  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Dumplings

  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 3 tbsp suet or cold butter
  • ½ cup milk or water

Optional Add-ins

  • 1 tbsp tomato paste (for richness)
  • ½ cup green peas (added at the end)
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Tip: Use beef chuck for the best balance of marbling and tenderness after long cooking.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Brown the Beef Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown beef in batches, turning to sear all sides. Remove and set aside.
  2. Sauté Aromatics In the same pot, add onion and garlic. Sauté until softened, about 3–4 minutes. Stir in tomato paste if using.
  3. Deglaze & Simmer Pour in red wine (if using) and scrape up browned bits. Add beef stock, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, paprika, bay leaf, and return beef to the pot.
  4. Add Vegetables Stir in carrots, celery, potatoes, and turnip. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook on low for 2–3 hours, until beef is fork-tender.
  5. Make Dumplings In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in suet or butter until crumbly. Stir in milk to form a soft dough.
  6. Add Dumplings Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the surface of the simmering stew. Cover tightly and cook for 15–20 minutes without lifting the lid.
  7. Finish & Serve Remove bay leaf. Stir in peas if using. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot.

Tip: Don’t lift the lid while dumplings cook—steam is essential for fluffy results.

Taste & Texture Profile

Beef stew and dumplings is the definition of comfort food:

  • The beef is melt-in-your-mouth tender, having simmered for hours in a rich, savory broth.
  • Root vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and turnips add earthy sweetness and heartiness.
  • The gravy is velvety and flavorful, infused with herbs, garlic, and a hint of wine.
  • Dumplings are soft and fluffy, soaking up the stew’s richness while adding a satisfying bite.
  • The seasoning is balanced and herby, with thyme and bay leaf lending warmth and depth.

Each spoonful delivers a perfect mix of textures and flavors—hearty, homey, and deeply satisfying.

A rustic bowl of beef stew with tender chunks of beef, carrots, and peas, topped with fluffy golden dumplings and garnished with fresh thyme.

Beef Stew and Dumplings Recipe – Hearty One-Pot Comfort Food

This Delicious Beef Stew and Dumplings recipe is the ultimate comfort food—rich, savory, and soul-warming. Tender beef simmers in a flavorful broth with carrots, onions, and herbs, then gets topped with soft, fluffy dumplings that soak up all the goodness. Perfect for chilly nights, Sunday dinners, or when you need a cozy, satisfying meal. Make it in one pot for easy cleanup and maximum flavor!
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 20 minutes
Course Comfort Food, Main Course, One-Pot Meal
Cuisine British / American
Servings 6
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • Dutch oven or large pot with lid
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk or spoon
  • Knife and cutting board
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons

Ingredients
  

Stew Base

  • 2 lbs beef chuck or stewing beef, cubed
  • 1 tbsp oil (for browning)
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 carrots, sliced
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 2 potatoes, cubed
  • 1 small turnip, diced
  • 4 cups beef stock
  • ½ cup red wine (optional)
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste (optional)
  • ½ cup green peas (optional)
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Dumplings

  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 3 tbsp suet or cold butter
  • ½ cup milk or water
  • Optional: 1 tsp chopped herbs (thyme, rosemary, parsley)

Instructions
 

  • Brown the Beef Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown beef in batches until well-seared. Remove and set aside.
  • Sauté Aromatics Add onion and garlic to the pot. Cook until softened. Stir in tomato paste if using.
  • Deglaze & Simmer Pour in red wine and scrape up browned bits. Add beef stock, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, paprika, bay leaf, and return beef to the pot.
  • Add Vegetables Stir in carrots, celery, potatoes, and turnip. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook on low for 2–3 hours until beef is tender.
  • Make Dumplings In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, salt, and herbs. Cut in suet or butter until crumbly. Stir in milk to form a soft dough.
  • Add Dumplings Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the surface of the stew. Cover tightly and cook for 15–20 minutes without lifting the lid.
  • Finish & Serve Remove bay leaf. Stir in peas if using. Garnish with parsley and serve hot.

Notes

  • Use beef chuck for the best flavor and tenderness.
  • Red wine adds richness—optional but recommended.
  • Add herbs to dumpling dough for extra flavor.
  • For a spicy twist, include chili flakes or smoked paprika.
  • Make stew ahead and refrigerate—flavors deepen overnight.
  • Freeze stew (without dumplings) for up to 3 months.
  • Reheat gently and refresh with herbs or vinegar before serving.
  • Dumplings are best fresh but can be reheated with a splash of broth.
Keyword Beef Stew, Comfort Food, dumplings, one-pot meal, slow-cooked stew, winter recipe