Slow Cooker Beef Stew and Dumplings
User Reviews
4.8
-
Prep Time
15 mins
-
Cook Time
6 hrs
-
Total Time
6 hrs 15 mins
-
Servings
6
-
Calories
667 kcal
-
Course
Main Course
-
Cuisine
British
Slow Cooker Beef Stew and Dumplings
Description
The stew starts by coating beef chunks in seasoned flour, then cooking them in beef stock combined with red wine, tomato paste, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, garlic, and a variety of whole spices including bay leaf, cinnamon, cardamoms, mace, and cloves. Onions, leeks, parsnips, and carrots add sweetness and body, cooking slowly on high or low in a slow cooker for several hours until the beef is tender and the flavors meld.
Two dumpling options are provided: light dumplings made with flour, yogurt, Parmesan, parsley, and garlic granules, kneaded to dough and portioned; or a suet dumpling variant using suet or vegetable shortening with similar seasoning. Dumplings are formed and added to the stew during cooking or near the end to poach until cooked through and fluffy, providing a soft contrast.
Served hot, this meal is hearty and warming, perfect for colder weather. Garnishing with fresh chopped parsley enhances brightness. It pairs well with rustic bread or on its own for a satisfying comfort food experience.
Ingredients
Beef Stew
- 900 g braising steak cubed, or chuck steak
- 2 tbsp flour seasoned with pinch salt and pepper
- 480 ml beef stock broth, 2 cups; hot
- 80 ml red wine or more beef stock, or dark ale
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar or Worcestershire sauce
- 3 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 2 garlic minced, cloves
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 onion finely diced, large
- 2 leek white parts only, sliced
- 5 carrot sliced
- 4 parsnip sliced
- 2 bay leaf
- 1 rosemary sprig
- parsley chopped, to garnish, fresh
- salt as needed
- black pepper as needed
Light Dumplings (suet free)
- 125 g self-raising flour
- 125 g yogurt fat free; ½ cup
- 1 tbsp parsley chopped or chives chopped
- 2 tbsp Parmesan Cheese grated
- 1 tsp garlic granules
- ½ tsp salt
- water , as needed, to bind
Suet Dumplings
- 125 g self-raising flour
- 125 g suet or vegetable shortening, shredded
- 1 tbsp parsley chopped or chives chopped
- 2 tbsp Parmesan Cheese grated
- 1 tbsp horseradish or mustard
- 1 tsp garlic granules
- ½ tsp salt
- water as needed, to bind, cold
Instructions
Prepare the Stew
- Toss the beef cubes with the seasoned flour to lightly coat.
- Preheat the slow cooker on “HIGH”. Add the hot beef stock, red wine, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar (or Worcestershire sauce), garlic, tomato paste, salt and pepper. Give everything a good stir.
- Add the onions, leeks, parsnips and carrots. Stir to combine.
- Stir in the beef, add the bay leaves and rosemary and cook on HIGH for 5 hours (or on LOW for 8 hours).
CHOOSE YOUR DUMPLINGS
Light Dumplings
- Meanwhile prepare the dumplings: combine flour, herbs, Parmesan, salt and garlic granules in a bowl.
- Stir in the yoghurt and then use your hands to briefly knead in the bowl until the dough comes together. Add a little water if it’s too dry and crumbly.
- Divide the dough into 6-8 portions and roll into balls.
Suet Dumplings
- Mix the flour, suet, salt, garlic granules, herbs and parmesan together in a bowl.
- Slowly drizzle in cold water, a little at a time, mixing with your hands until the dough comes together and leaves the side of the bowl easily. Don’t overmix the dough, handle with a light touch for light and fluffy dumplings.
- Divide the dough into 6-8 portions and roll into balls.
Finish cooking the stew
- Give the stew a good stir. Remove and discard the bay leaves and rosemary.
- Add the dumplings to the slow cooker, spaced slightly apart. Cover and cook for an additional hour with the lid on.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Garnish with the parsley and serve.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 667 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 667kcal | 33% |
| Carbohydrates | 69g | 23% |
| Protein | 40g | 80% |
| Fat | 25g | 38% |
| Saturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 103mg | 34% |
| Sodium | 2448mg | 102% |
| Potassium | 1532mg | 33% |
| Fiber | 9g | 36% |
| Sugar | 14g | 28% |
| Vitamin A | 9254IU | 185% |
| Vitamin C | 31mg | 34% |
| Calcium | 156mg | 16% |
| Iron | 6mg | 33% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.8
You'll Also Love
