Hearty Beef Stew and Dumplings – Comfort Food at Its Best
Warm up with this Hearty Beef Stew and Dumplings! Tender chunks of beef, flavorful vegetables, and fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth dumplings make this dish the ultimate comfort food. Perfect for cozy weeknight dinners, family meals, or chilly winter nights, it’s rich, filling, and irresistibly delicious.
Equipment
- Heavy-bottomed pot, Dutch oven, or slow cooker
- Knife set and cutting board
- Wooden spoon and ladle
- Mixing bowls for dumplings
- Slotted spoon (optional)
- Oven mitts
Ingredients
For the Stew:
- 2 lbs beef chuck or stew meat, trimmed and cut into chunks
- 2 tbsp vegetable or olive oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 2–3 potatoes, cubed
- 1–2 parsnips, peeled and sliced
- 3–4 cups beef stock (or combination of stock and red wine)
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)
- 2 tsp fresh thyme or 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: peas, mushrooms, or pearl onions
For the Dumplings:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2 tbsp butter or shortening
- ⅓ cup milk (adjust as needed)
- Optional: chopped herbs or grated cheese
Instructions
- Prepare beef: Season chunks with salt and pepper. Sear in hot oil until browned on all sides; set aside.
- Build the stew: Sauté onions, garlic, and aromatics in the same pot. Deglaze with stock or wine, scraping up browned bits.
- Add vegetables and beef: Return seared beef to pot. Add carrots, celery, potatoes, and parsnips. Add stock to cover ingredients. Stir in thyme and bay leaves.
- Simmer: Reduce heat and simmer gently for 1.5–2 hours, until beef is tender. Adjust thickness with a slurry of flour or cornstarch if desired.
- Prepare dumplings: Mix flour, baking powder, salt, fat, and milk to form sticky dough. Shape into small balls.
- Cook dumplings: Drop dumplings onto simmering stew, partially cover, and cook 15–20 minutes until fully puffed and cooked.
- Finish: Remove herb stems, adjust seasoning, and serve hot. Garnish with fresh parsley or chives and a drizzle of cream if desired.
Notes
- Make-ahead: Stew can be cooked and refrigerated up to 3 days; add dumplings fresh when reheating.
- Freezing: Freeze stew separately; add dumplings upon reheating.
- Dumpling texture: Avoid overmixing to keep them light and fluffy.
- Variations: Spice it with smoked paprika, cayenne, or chili flakes; add rustic root vegetables like turnips or rutabaga; use cheesy or herb-infused dumplings.
- Serving tips: Pair with crusty bread, green salad, or pickles; perfect with red wine, ale, or sparkling water.