Cozy Crockpot Beef Stew with Dumplings Recipe for Chilly Days

Hearty crockpot beef stew is a timeless comfort dish that fills bellies and warms hearts on cool evenings.

Many people love slow-cooked meals because they turn basic ingredients into mouthwatering, tender dishes.

Beef stew with fluffy dumplings offers rich flavors that make for a satisfying and nourishing meal everyone can enjoy.

Using a crockpot ensures the meat turns soft, while vegetables soak up deep flavors as they cook slowly.

Classic recipes often include root veggies and juicy beef chunks simmered in a thick, tasty broth.

Fans of this dish appreciate its ease of preparation and the delicious results it delivers with little effort.

Why Crockpot Beef Stew With Dumplings Recipe Is So Cozy

• Effortless Comfort Cooking: This crockpot beef stew transforms tough meat into melt-in-your-mouth tenderness with minimal kitchen effort, perfect for busy home cooks seeking delicious meals.
• Hands-Off Meal Preparation: Simply brown meat, toss ingredients into the crockpot, and walk away while the slow cooker works its magic, delivering a hearty dinner with almost zero active cooking time.
• Family-Friendly Crowd-Pleaser: Packed with protein, vegetables, and homemade dumplings, this stew satisfies hungry family members of all ages, creating a warm and inviting dinner experience that everyone will love.
• Versatile Seasonal Delight: Ideal for chilly winter evenings, cozy weekend gatherings, or when craving a comforting one-pot meal that fills the kitchen with incredible aromas and provides maximum satisfaction.

Ingredients For Crockpot Beef Stew With Dumplings Recipe

• Beef Chuck Roast: A hearty and flavorful cut perfect for slow cooking, becomes tender and rich with long simmering.
• Beef Broth: Provides deep, meaty base flavor and helps tenderize the meat during cooking.

• Carrots, Celery, Onions: Classic stew base that adds sweetness, texture, and depth to the overall dish.
• Garlic: Brings robust, earthy flavor that complements the beef perfectly.
• Potatoes: Starchy vegetable used for both stew base and dumpling preparation, adds heartiness.

• All-Purpose Flour: Essential for both thickening stew and creating dumpling structure.
• Egg: Binds dumpling ingredients and provides richness.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds savory, nutty flavor to dumplings.
• Thyme, Salt, Garlic Powder: Herbs and seasonings that enhance overall taste profile.

• Cornstarch: Creates smooth, glossy texture for the stew's sauce.
• Olive Oil: Used for browning meat and adding moisture to dumplings.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright garnish that adds color and fresh herb note.

How To Cook Crockpot Beef Stew With Dumplings Recipe

Step 1: Sear and Prepare Beef

• Pat beef dry with paper towels
• Coat beef pieces with flour
• Heat olive oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat
• Brown beef in batches without overcrowding
• Transfer perfectly seared beef to crockpot

Step 2: Layer Flavor Base

• Chopped onions
• Sliced carrots
• Diced celery
• Minced garlic
• Beef broth
• Red wine
• Tomato paste
• Worcestershire sauce
• Dried herbs (rosemary, thyme)
• Bay leaves
• Salt
• Black pepper

Step 3: Slow Cook Stew

• Cover crockpot
• Cook on low setting for 7-8 hours
• Meat should become incredibly tender
• Vegetables will absorb rich flavors

Step 4: Create Dumpling Dough

• Mashed potatoes
• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Egg
• Parmesan cheese
• Olive oil
• Garlic powder
• Dried thyme
• Salt

Mix ingredients until smooth dough forms

Roll into golf ball-sized dumplings

Refrigerate until ready to use

Step 5: Thicken and Finish Stew

• Whisk cornstarch with cold water
• Stir mixture into stew
• Gently add dumplings
• Press dumplings slightly into broth
• Cook additional hour until dumplings become fluffy

Step 6: Serve and Garnish

• Discard bay leaves
• Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley
• Ladle into warm bowls
• Serve immediately while hot

Tips For Crockpot Beef Stew With Dumplings Recipe

• Perfectly Brown Beef: Pat meat dry before flouring to ensure a golden, crispy exterior that locks in maximum flavor and creates a delicious foundation for your stew.
• Manage Dumpling Moisture: Refrigerate dumpling dough before adding to prevent them from falling apart and help them maintain a light, fluffy texture during cooking.
• Customize Dumpling Variations: Swap parmesan for cheddar or add herbs like rosemary for a personalized twist that elevates the classic comfort dish.
• Control Stew Consistency: Adjust cornstarch mixture gradually to prevent over-thickening, allowing you to achieve the perfect stew texture without becoming too dense.
• Optimize Slow Cooking: Choose low temperature setting for more tender beef, letting collagen break down slowly and creating melt-in-your-mouth meat that's incredibly succulent.

How To Store Crockpot Beef Stew With Dumplings Recipe

• Refrigerate: Store leftover beef stew in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacteria growth.
• Freeze: Pour stew without dumplings into freezer-safe containers. Freeze for maximum 3 months. Separate dumplings to maintain their texture.
• Reheat Stovetop: Transfer stew to a pot, add splash of broth or water. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. Add fresh dumplings if desired.
• Microwave Option: Place portion in microwave-safe dish, cover loosely. Heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each to distribute warmth evenly. Check temperature before serving.

What Goes With Crockpot Beef Stew With Dumplings Recipe

• Pair Robust Red Wines: Select full-bodied wines like Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah, which complement the rich beef's deep, hearty flavors and match the stew's intense meaty profile.
• Complement with Crusty Bread: Serve warm, artisan sourdough or rustic French bread to soak up the delicious stew broth, adding textural contrast and absorbing the savory liquid.
• Enhance with Fresh Green Salad: Create a light, crisp side salad with mixed greens, tangy vinaigrette, and some crumbled blue cheese to balance the stew's heavy, warm notes and provide a refreshing counterpoint.
• Match with Earthy Side Vegetable: Roast Brussels sprouts with garlic and olive oil, offering a caramelized, slightly bitter companion that cuts through the stew's richness and adds nutritional depth.

Ways To Change Crockpot Beef Stew With Dumplings Recipe

• Gluten-Free Comfort: Replace wheat flour with gluten-free all-purpose flour or almond flour for the beef coating and dumplings, ensuring those with gluten sensitivities can enjoy this hearty meal.
• Vegetarian Transformation: Swap beef with firm tofu or sturdy mushrooms like portobello, using vegetable broth and adding extra root vegetables for a rich, satisfying plant-based version.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Skip traditional dumplings and replace with cauliflower rice dumplings or use turnip cubes instead of potatoes to reduce carbohydrate content while maintaining the stew's robust flavor profile.
• Dairy-Free Option: Substitute parmesan with nutritional yeast in dumplings and use coconut oil instead of regular oil, creating a creamy texture without dairy ingredients for those with lactose restrictions.

Crockpot Beef Stew With Dumplings Recipe FAQs

• What type of beef is best for this stew?

Chuck roast or stew meat works perfectly. These cuts have more fat and connective tissue that break down during slow cooking, making the meat incredibly tender and flavorful.

• Can I skip browning the meat?

No, browning creates a rich, caramelized exterior that adds depth and complexity to the stew’s flavor. It’s a crucial step for developing a more robust taste profile.

• How do I know if my dumplings are cooked correctly?

Dumplings are done when they’re fluffy, slightly firm to the touch, and have absorbed some of the stew’s broth. They should look puffy and feel light when gently pressed.

• Is this recipe gluten-free friendly?

Not in its current form. You’ll need to substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour alternatives like rice flour or a gluten-free blend to make it suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.

Hearty Crockpot Beef Stew with Dumplings Recipe

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4.6 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty “Crockpot Beef Stew with Dumplings” offers comfort in a bowl, combining tender meat and vegetables with fluffy homemade dumplings. Slow-cooked perfection brings warmth and satisfaction for anyone craving a classic, soul-soothing meal.

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Ingredients

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Proteins and Meat:

• 2 lbs stew meat or chuck roast, cut into 2-inch pieces
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 4 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 4 celery stalks, sliced
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 2 large russet potatoes, peeled and cooked
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 sprig fresh thyme, leaves minced

Liquids, Seasonings, and Thickeners:

• 3 cups beef broth
• 1 (14 ounces / 396 grams) can diced tomatoes (do not drain)
• 1 (6 ounces / 170 grams) can tomato paste
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon oil
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 tablespoon fresh)
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary (or 1 fresh sprig)
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons water
• Water, as needed to bind
• Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional

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Instructions

1. Prepare the meat by coating it lightly with seasoned flour, then caramelize in a hot skillet until golden brown on all sides, ensuring each piece develops a rich, deep color without steaming.
2. Transfer the seared meat into the crockpot and layer remaining vegetables and seasonings around the protein, creating a robust foundation for the stew.
3. Allow the crockpot to slowly transform the ingredients, rendering the meat tender and infusing the liquid with complex flavor profiles through low, consistent heat over several hours.
4. While the stew simmers, craft delicate dumplings by incorporating mashed potatoes with herbs, cheese, and binding ingredients, mixing until a cohesive, soft dough forms.
5. Shape the dumpling mixture into uniform spheres, keeping them chilled to maintain structural integrity before introducing them to the simmering stew.
6. Approximately one hour before serving, gently thicken the stew’s liquid by whisking a cornstarch slurry, which will create a luxurious, velvety texture.
7. Carefully nestle the prepared dumplings into the bubbling stew, allowing them to absorb surrounding flavors and become pillowy soft.
8. Complete the cooking process, ensuring dumplings are fully cooked and the stew reaches a perfect consistency.
9. Finish the dish with a sprinkle of fresh herbs, presenting a comforting, rustic meal ready to be savored.

Notes

• Perfectly searing beef creates deeper flavor layers by caramelizing meat’s exterior and trapping juicy tenderness inside.
• Choosing fatty beef cuts like chuck roast ensures rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture during slow cooking process.
• Refrigerating dumpling dough before adding helps maintain structural integrity and prevents falling apart in hot stew.
• Adjusting liquid consistency with cornstarch slurry allows customizable thickness without comprom

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 hours
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 53 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg