Best Crockpot Beef Stew starts with beef, slowly simmered in the slow cooker until the beef is spoon tender. Stuffed with carrots and potatoes, this is an easy meal that tastes AMAZING! Let your crockpot do the work while you do take all the credit!
Love this recipe? The next one you should try is Corned Beef Stew. Filled with beef, potatoes and cabbage - it's delicious!
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BEST Crockpot Beef Stew
Cozy up to a big bowl of this easy to make crockpot beef stew! You'll love the tender beef chunks combined with all the veggies. And the dumplings? Oooh those dumplings! So fluffy and hearty, it's the perfect combination and feels like a big hug in a bowl.
This is one of my favorite hearty soups, and I think you'll enjoy it as much as we do! This easy beef stew recipe is so simple and delivers flavor with every spoonful.
Ingredients
For the exact measurements, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!
#1 Add the beef, vegetables to a crockpot and top with canned tomatoes.
#2 Seasoning the stew well.
#3 Add the slurry, cover and cook.
#4 Add the seasoning to the flour for the dumplings.
#5 Drizzle milk into the flour and make the dumplings.
#6 Add by small scoops to the top of the cooked stew, cover and cook the dumplings.
Equipment
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I recommend using a small (tiny!) ice cream scoop for the dumplings.
FAQ's
You have many choices at the market for stew meat. Yes, you can use stew meat that is already diced, but I suggest you stay away from that. Buy a roast and dice the meat yourself. You'll get better quality meat for less money. My recommendations for stew meat are:
beef chuck
fatty brisket
round steak
My number one choice is definitely beef chuck. It has good marbling which gives the meat great flavor.
It hasn't cooked long enough! Beef stew meat is tough to begin with. It needs to be cooked low and slow. The slow cooker is the perfect way to tenderize beef stew meat.
You'll cook this stew on high for 4-5 hours or on low 8-10 hours. Let the crockpot do the work for you!
When you add the dumplings to the top of the stew, gently settle the dough on top of the beef and veggies, rather than drop them in the liquid. When they settle into the broth they become heavy because they are laden with liquid. They will also fall apart. By gently adding the dough on top of the stew, they immediately begin to steam. This results in light fluffy dumplings!
Tips
Remember - dumplings will triple in size as they cook! Use small spoonfuls as you spoon the dough on top of the stew.
Storage
Refrigerator - allow to cool completely in the refrigerator. Store in an airtight container up to three days.
Freezer - this will last in the freezer up to three months.
Reheat - in the microwave or on the stovetop until hot and bubbly.
Serving suggestions
This stew has everything you need, so I serve it simply with a great salad - Garden Salad Recipe with Creamy Vinaigrette or Asparagus Salad Recipes and if you're little piglets like Dan and me, serve with this Easy Dinner Rolls Recipe! YUM!!!
Related recipes
There are several lovely slow cooker soups on the blog. Be sure and check out these recipes soon!
- Slow Cooker Enchilada Soup - easy to make cheesy soup with a southwest twist - this soup is amazing!
- This Rustic Italian Soup is filled with beef, vegetables and made in your slow cooker, Italian Beef Stew is rich, savory and delicious!
- Crockpot Chicken Taco Soup Recipe - stuffed with shredded chicken, black beans, corn and all the flavors of your favorite tacos. Everyone will be begging for seconds!
BEST Crockpot Beef Stew Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. stewing beef cut into 1 inch pieces
- 2 cups baby carrots
- 2 stalks celery chopped
- 2 onions diced
- 1 14.5 oz canned diced tomatoes
- 2 potatoes diced
- ¾ cup red wine
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ cup water
- 3 tablespoon flour
- Homemade Dumplings
- 1 ½ cups biscuit mix
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon sage
- ½ cup milk
Instructions
- Add the beef stew ingredients in the slow cooker - beef, carrots, celery, tomatoes, potatoes, red wine, salt, thyme, mustard powder, salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Whisk together the flour and water until well blended, and stir into the stew.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours (or High for 4-5 hrs).
- When the stew is done, it's time to add the dumplings. In a medium bowl, mix baking mix, thyme and sage. Stir in milk just until it is just combined.
- Drop dough in small spoonfuls (use a small cookie scoop) on top of the stew.
- Switch the heat setting to high, and cover.
- Cook until a toothpick inserted in the dumplings comes out clean (about 20 minutes).
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Nutrition
Guess what day it is? Today is a BIG DAY - it's Freaky Friday, woot-woot!!! You remember what that's all about, right? That when a bunch of Bloggers all get together for a good ole' fashioned blog hop!
This time I am so excited because Kylee Cooks was the blog I was given. I have had the MOST fun trying to decide just what to make!
Ultimately, I decided to share this recipe for Easy Crockpot Beef Stew with Dumplings. Beef Stew + Dumplings = ❤️ don't you agree?
Cindy says
I never would have thought to have dumplings in beef stew but boy have I been missing out - these are great!
Camden says
Your slow cooker beef stew and dumplings is such a delicious and hearty meal. I am so glad to find a recipe that I can make in the slow cooker that actually satisfies us all!
Kristen says
I'm a sucker for a good dumpling! Your slow cooker beef stew and dumplings recipe looks like it is going to become one of my family's fall and winter go-to's!
Alyssa says
I can't wait to make this slow cooker beef stew and dumplings. Beef stew is one of the only soups my husband likes!
Cynthia says
My family loves when I make your slow cooker beef stew and dumplings!
Brittany says
Slow cooker beef stew AND dumplings..what a delicious idea!