Slow Cooker Beef Stew and Dumplings – this hearty stew packed with vegetables and topped with fluffy dumplings is the perfect comfort food. This easy crockpot beef casserole requires no browning – simply sit back and let your slow cooker do all the work.
Prep Time:15minutes minutes
Cook Time:6hours hours
Total Time:6hours hours 15minutes minutes
Servings:6
Ingredients
Beef Stew
- ▢900 g (2 lbs) braising steak/ chuck steak , cubed
- ▢2 tbsp flour seasoned with pinch salt and pepper
- ▢480 ml (2 cups) hot beef stock (broth)
- ▢80 ml (⅓ cup) red wine or dark ale or more beef stock
- ▢3 tbsp tomato paste
- ▢2 tbsp balsamic vinegar or Worcestershire sauce
- ▢3 tbsp dark soy sauce
- ▢2 garlic cloves minced
- ▢1 tsp salt
- ▢½ tsp black pepper
- ▢2 large onions , finely diced
- ▢2 leeks , white parts only, sliced
- ▢5 carrots , sliced
- ▢4 parsnips , sliced
- ▢2 bay leaves
- ▢1 sprig rosemary
- ▢Fresh parsley , chopped, to garnish
- ▢Salt and pepper , as needed
Light Dumplings (suet free)
- ▢125 g (1 cup) self raising flour
- ▢125 g ( ½ cup) fat free yogurt
- ▢1 tbsp chopped parsley or chives
- ▢2 tbsp grated Parmesan
- ▢1 tsp garlic granules
- ▢½ tsp salt
- ▢water , as needed, to bind
Suet Dumplings
- ▢125 g (1 cup) self raising flour
- ▢125 g (1 cup) shredded suet or vegetable shortening
- ▢1 tbsp chopped parsley or chives
- ▢2 tbsp grated Parmesan
- ▢1 tbsp horseradish or mustard
- ▢1 tsp garlic granules
- ▢½ tsp salt
- ▢cold water , as needed, to bind
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.
