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Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Dumplings

Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Dumplings
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Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Dumplings is a hearty and comforting dish featuring tender beef chuck, fresh vegetables, and fluffy dumplings simmered together in a slow cooker. Perfect for chilly evenings and family dinners, this recipe delivers rich, cozy flavors with minimal hands-on cooking, making it an effortless go-to classic for satisfying meals.

Ingredients

Scale

Beef and Broth

  • 2 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

Vegetables

  • 3 carrots, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 1 large onion, diced

Herbs and Seasonings

  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Thickener

  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour or cornstarch

Dumplings

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 2 tbsp cold butter, cubed
  • 1/2 cup milk

Instructions

  1. Prepare and Brown the Beef: Cut beef chuck into bite-sized pieces, season with salt and pepper, then brown in a hot pan over medium-high heat until caramelized on all sides to lock in juices and enhance flavor.
  2. Chop the Vegetables: Dice carrots, celery, and onions into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking and balanced texture in the stew.
  3. Assemble Ingredients in the Slow Cooker: Combine browned beef, chopped vegetables, minced garlic, tomato paste, fresh rosemary and thyme sprigs, and beef broth in the slow cooker. Stir gently to combine and start melding flavors.
  4. Slow Cook Until Tender: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours, until beef is fall-apart tender and vegetables are soft.
  5. Prepare and Add Dumplings: In a bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, cold butter, and milk to form a soft dough. Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough evenly onto the surface of the stew. Cover and let cook for the last 30 minutes, allowing dumplings to steam until fluffy and cooked through.

Notes

  • Brown Your Beef: Searing locks in flavor and prevents a flat-tasting stew.
  • Use Fresh Herbs: Fresh rosemary and thyme enhance the stew’s aroma and depth.
  • Check Liquid Levels: Make sure there is enough broth to prevent burning but not so much that the stew is watery.
  • Dumpling Size: Keep spoonfuls uniform so dumplings cook evenly and don’t sink.
  • Use a Heavy-Duty Slow Cooker: To maintain consistent temperature and avoid sticking.

Nutrition

Keywords: beef stew, slow cooker, dumplings, comfort food, easy dinner, family meal, hearty stew

Find it online: https://sophiespace.com/slow-cooker-beef-stew-with-dumplings/