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?
Pam DeMarco says
Do you brown the beef before you put in the crockpot?
Bowl Me Over says
Hey Pam - sorry I missed your comment yesterday. No, there is no need to brown the beef before putting it in the crockpot.
Hannah Flack says
Looks really good. Probably lots of flavor pop. Must try! ????
Regards Hannah Flack
Bowl Me Over says
wonderful, enjoy Hannah!
Jean says
Growing up my mom use to make something similar to this except she always made cornmeal dumplings and it was delicious too. Going to try this soon.
sandy tremblay says
Do you need to brown the meat before adding it to the slowcooker.?
Bowl Me Over says
Hey Sandy - no need to brown the meat before adding it to the slow cooker, you can if you have the time, but it's not necessary for this recipe.
Deanna says
It is getting cooler this weekend and I love to make this!!! It looks soo yummy!!
Bowl Me Over says
Thanks Deanna, I hope you give it a try!
Brandi says
It doesn't get much better thank this! Dumplings in beef stew is a GREAT idea!!!!
Bowl Me Over says
I agree Brandi, I just love this recipe!
Lori Vachon says
What a hearty dish! This meal is exactly the kind of meal my hubby requests over and over!
Bowl Me Over says
Enjoy Lori, it's a great meal!
Liza says
What an awesome recipe! It's fast, hearty, healthy - what else can you ask for?
Bowl Me Over says
Exactly, I hope you enjoy it Liza!
Sandra Shaffer says
Guess what I made last night? Yep, stew! Highly recommend this recipe. We used all wine (skipped the water), cause were winos 😉 and it came out delicious! Thank you, Deb and Kylee!
Bowl Me Over says
Ooh I can only imagine how much flavor the wine brought to that party!
Julie Menghini says
I'd say you definitely nailed this one little Miss Soup Queen! I haven't made dumplings in ages and we love them. I'd say you picked an amazing recipe!
Bowl Me Over says
Most definitely!!! I'm so excited to share Kylee's amazing recipe!
Jennifer A Stewart says
I usually eat my beef stew with crust bread or over some egg noodles but these dumplings are my new favorite way to eat beef stew!!
Bowl Me Over says
Most definitely, you'll love this meal!
Madi says
I love the addition of dumplings into beef stew! This sounds so wonderful for a cold winter meal!
Bowl Me Over says
It's the perfect meal, thank you!
Angela says
There is just something so comforting about beef stew and making it in the slow cooker makes life so so much easier! I've got to make this one this week! Thank you.
Erin Parker says
Not going to lie: My mind is BLOWN by the addition of dumplings to this beef stew! What a comforting dish that's PERFECT for so many occasions in the wintertime. I could go for a bowl right now.
Bowl Me Over says
I hope you give it a try Erin, it's just the BEST stew!!
Michele says
What a great tip on keep the dumplings lighter! Definitely going to try that!
Bowl Me Over says
Agree, the BEST tip Michele!
Angela says
YUM! This looks so amazing!!
Pinning 🙂
Bowl Me Over says
Thank you Angela!
Amy Nash says
I love, love, love me some dumplings and am totally sold on the recipe for that reason alone! Thanks for the helpful tip about making them super light and fluffy by not dropping them too deep into the soup so they can steam better on top!
Bowl Me Over says
You're welcome Amy, I hope you give this stew a try!
Kylee from Kylee Cooks says
This is my favorite slow cooker beef stew - I now need to make it again (and take better pictures)!!
I've been making this stew forever. More than 11 years now - glad you dug it out of the archives to remind me to add it to my weekly meal plan!
Bowl Me Over says
I had so much fun digging thru your blog and there are so many AMAZING recipes - thank you for the opportunity to share this delicious recipe!
Kathy says
Nothing like a hearty beef stew. The ultimate comfort food. This recipe is going on next week's menu!
Bowl Me Over says
Agreed Kathy! You'll love this stew!!
Lois says
This is just a great recipe and I will be making in this next week. I don’t have a slow cooker anymore but i can use my IP and put in on slow cooking. Will work just fine. Love it.
Bowl Me Over says
Wonderful, you'll love this stew Mom!
Michaela Kenkel says
Perfect comfort meal, there is nothing that is more satisfying than a piping hot bowl of stew when it's snowing outside!! (like today!!)
Bowl Me Over says
Eeek! That weather, you guys have gotten hit hard this year!
SHERRI says
Did not care at all for the thyme in the dumplings. Would skip that step next time
Bowl Me Over says
That works Sherri, thanks for your feedback. I hope you enjoyed the stew!