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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- Transfer the seared meat into the crockpot and layer remaining vegetables and seasonings around the protein, creating a robust foundation for the stew.
- 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.
- While the stew simmers, craft delicate dumplings by incorporating mashed potatoes with herbs, cheese, and binding ingredients, mixing until a cohesive, soft dough forms.
- Shape the dumpling mixture into uniform spheres, keeping them chilled to maintain structural integrity before introducing them to the simmering stew.
- Approximately one hour before serving, gently thicken the stew’s liquid by whisking a cornstarch slurry, which will create a luxurious, velvety texture.
- Carefully nestle the prepared dumplings into the bubbling stew, allowing them to absorb surrounding flavors and become pillowy soft.
- Complete the cooking process, ensuring dumplings are fully cooked and the stew reaches a perfect consistency.
- 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