There’s nothing quite like a hearty, comforting bowl of stew bubbling away all day, especially one that comes with fluffy dumplings to sop up every bit of flavor. This Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Dumplings Recipe is exactly that—a cozy, soul-satisfying meal that fills your home with amazing aromas and your belly with pure happiness.

The image shows a close-up of a thick stew inside a dark pot. The stew has several layers of chunky pieces of dark brown meat mixed with soft orange carrot slices and light yellow potato chunks. Small bright green peas are scattered evenly throughout the stew, adding a pop of color. The sauce is rich and glossy, covering all the ingredients with a smooth brown texture. A wooden spoon rests inside the stew, partially submerged and coated in the sauce, stirring the mixture. The background surface is white marble. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Dumplings Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Dumplings Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Dumplings Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

What makes this slow cooker stew truly stand out for me is how effortlessly rich and tender the beef becomes, paired with light-as-air dumplings that cook right in the pot. I’ve made stews before, but this combo always brings my family running to the table.

Ultimate Comfort Food: The slow cooking process breaks down the beef into tender nuggets bursting with flavor.
Hands-Off Cooking: Pop everything in your slow cooker and let it work its magic—perfect for busy days.
Fluffy Dumplings Included: These delicate, pillowy bites soak up the stew’s juices, making every spoonful extra special.
Flexible and Familiar: Uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients—but you can tweak it to suit your taste or season.

The image shows a close-up view of a dark brown stew with visible chunks of orange carrots and green peas in a glossy sauce. On top and around the stew, there are several spoonfuls of light golden biscuit dough that looks soft and slightly browned on the edges. The stew appears thick and rich with tender meat pieces mixed in. The overall colors mix dark brown, orange, green, and pale yellow, with a shiny texture from the sauce and a soft texture from the biscuit dough. The scene is close and detailed, showing the moistness and thickness of the food. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient here plays its part in building deep, comforting flavors while ensuring the stew has the perfect texture. From tender steak chunks to silky potatoes and aromatic herbs, you’ll see how these simple staples come together beautifully in the slow cooker.

Flat lay of raw stew beef chunks, a small mound of all-purpose flour, a small white bowl filled with rich beef broth, a small white bowl containing deep red wine, a dollop of vibrant red tomato paste on a white ceramic plate, a small white bowl with dark Worcestershire sauce, two peeled garlic cloves, one large chopped white onion, four peeled and chopped large carrots, cubed peeled Yukon gold potatoes, two fresh bay leaves, one sprig of fresh rosemary, two sprigs of fresh thyme, a small white bowl filled with bright green frozen peas, two whole uncracked brown eggs, a small mound of flour mixed with baking powder and sugar, a small pat of butter, and a small white bowl of fresh milk, all arranged with perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p awthu7i m7354615311229779997

Stew beef: Cuts with good marbling like chuck work best—they become meltingly tender after hours of cooking.
All-purpose flour: Lightly coating the beef helps thicken the stew as it cooks.
Beef broth: The stew’s base, packed with savory depth.
Red wine: Adds subtle richness and a touch of acidity to balance the hearty flavors.
Tomato paste: Concentrates flavor and gives the broth a lovely, slightly tangy undertone.
Worcestershire sauce: A secret weapon for umami flavor.
Garlic: Fresh and aromatic, it layers in savory notes.
Onion: Adds natural sweetness as it breaks down in the slow cooker.
Carrots: Bring color, texture, and subtle sweetness.
Yukon gold potatoes: These hold their shape well and add creaminess.
Bay leaves, rosemary, thyme: Classic herbs that infuse the stew with cozy, familiar flavors.
Frozen peas: Stirred in at the end for a pop of color and fresh sweetness.
Dumpling ingredients (flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, butter, milk): Form the fluffy topping that makes this stew feel special.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the joys of this Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Dumplings Recipe is how easy it is to adapt. I love adding a splash of balsamic vinegar for a tangy kick or swapping the peas for green beans when they’re in season. Feel free to get creative!

Variation: I once tossed in mushrooms for earthiness, which turned out fantastic—adding a nice bite alongside the tender beef and dumplings!

Step-by-Step: How I Make Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Dumplings Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Coat the Beef

Start by seasoning your stew beef with salt and pepper—don’t be shy here. Toss the meat in all-purpose flour until each piece is lightly coated. This little step helps thicken the stew later on, giving you that perfect hearty texture without needing extra thickeners.

Step 2: Layer in the Slow Cooker

Place the floured beef directly into your slow cooker. Add beef broth, red wine, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, chopped onion, carrots, potatoes, bay leaves, rosemary, and thyme. Give it a gentle stir so everything gets cozy together.

Step 3: Let it Slow Cook

Cover your slow cooker and cook on high for about 5 hours, or low for 8 hours. You’ll come back to incredibly tender beef and veggies soaked in savory, rich broth. I prefer the low-and-slow method—it lets all those flavors meld beautifully.

Step 4: Prepare the Dumplings

About 30 minutes before your stew is done, mix together flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt in a bowl. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture looks crumbly—this step creates that light, flaky texture. Stir in milk until you have a thick batter that’s easy to scoop.

Step 5: Finish with Peas and Dumplings

When the cooking time's up, stir frozen peas into the stew and season with salt and pepper to taste. Drop spoonfuls of your dumpling batter right onto the surface of the stew—6 to 8 dollops work well. Cover and cook for another hour. Your dumplings will puff up fluffy and golden as they soak in the stew’s amazing flavors.

Top Tip

Having made this recipe a dozen times, I can’t stress enough how important it is not to rush the slow cooking part. Patience here rewards you with melt-in-your-mouth beef, and perfectly cooked potatoes that hold up without falling apart.

Flour Lightly: Don’t dump flour on the beef—just a thin coating helps thicken the stew without clumps.
Dumplings Timing: Add dumplings in the last hour; too early and they overcook, too late and they won’t fluff properly.
Don’t Peek Too Often: Every time you lift the lid, heat escapes, extending cook time and affecting texture.
Herb Freshness: Using fresh rosemary and thyme over dried makes a noticeable difference in flavor depth.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Dumplings Recipe

beef stew with dumplings - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top—adds a pop of color and a bit of brightness that cuts through the richness perfectly. Sometimes a little cracked black pepper on the dumplings finishes the dish off nicely.

Side Dishes

Because this stew is such a complete meal, I like to keep sides simple. A crisp green salad or some steamed green beans work beautifully. On colder days, crusty bread to soak up leftover broth is a total win.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday dinners, I’ve served this stew in rustic bread bowls, turning it into a festive, grab-and-go meal. It’s also fun to scatter extra fresh herbs or a drizzle of chili oil for a spicy twist that surprises your guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store any leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just be sure to keep the stew and dumplings together to maintain that cozy flavor combo—reheating is a breeze, just like fresh.

Freezing

This stew freezes beautifully—but I usually freeze the stew and dumplings separately. Dumplings can get a bit tough after freezing. Defrost overnight in the fridge, then reheat gently on the stove or in the slow cooker.

Reheating

When reheating, low and slow works best to keep beef tender. I reheat on the stovetop with a splash of broth if it’s thickened too much. For dumplings, gently warming covered helps them stay fluffy—avoid microwaving for best texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different cut of beef for this stew?

You can! However, tougher cuts like chuck or brisket work best for slow cooking because they become tender and flavorful. Lean cuts might dry out or become tough.

Can I make the dumplings gluten-free?

Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking. Be sure to check that the baking powder is gluten-free as well, and you may need to adjust liquids slightly for the best texture.

How do I prevent the dumplings from sinking in the stew?

To help dumplings stay on top, gently drop spoonfuls of batter onto the surface without stirring after adding them. Then cover the slow cooker to trap steam and ensure they rise properly.

Can I make this recipe on the stove top instead of a slow cooker?

Yes, you can! Brown the beef in a heavy pot, then add liquids and vegetables and simmer gently for 2-3 hours until meats and veggies are tender. Add dumplings during the last 30 minutes, cooking covered until they’re fluffy.

Final Thoughts

This Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Dumplings Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen rotation. It’s the cozy hug of a meal that’s effortless to make yet feels like you spent hours crafting it. I hope you enjoy it as much as my family does—it’s perfect for any night you need a little warmth and comfort served in a bowl.