There’s something truly comforting about a warm bowl of hearty stew simmering all day, especially when topped with pillowy dumplings. This Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Dumplings Recipe hits that cozy spot perfectly, with tender beef, veggies, and dumplings that soak up all the flavorful juices — making it a one-pot wonder you’ll want to make on repeat.

The image shows a thick beef stew in a black pot. The stew has chunks of dark brown beef mixed with small round orange carrot slices, light tan potato pieces, and small bright green peas. The stew sauce is smooth and brown, coating all the ingredients. A wooden spoon stands inside the pot, partially submerged in the rich stew with some sauce on it. The background is a white marbled texture. 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

This stew has been a game-changer on chilly weekends when I want minimal hands-on cooking but maximum flavor. The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, and the dumplings? They turn this meal into a hearty, satisfying hug in a bowl.

Effortless Cooking: Toss everything into the slow cooker and let it work its magic while you go about your day.
Flavor-Packed: The combination of red wine, tomato paste, and herbs creates deep, rich flavors that develop over hours.
Fluffy Dumplings: Adding dumplings at the end makes it extra special and turns it into a comforting, filling dish.
Family Favorite: It’s always a hit around my table, and I bet yours will love it just as much.

The image shows a ladle scooping a thick stew from a black pot, containing dark brown gravy with green peas, bright orange carrot pieces, and tender chunks of meat. Floating on top are several golden biscuit-like dumplings with a soft, slightly browned texture. The stew looks rich and hearty, with visible layers of vegetables and meat covered by the shiny sauce. The background is a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Dumplings Recipe plays a crucial role in building those deep, satisfying flavors and textures. Picking quality ingredients and understanding their purpose makes cooking this stew a real joy.

Flat lay of fresh raw stew beef chunks, a small pile of all-purpose flour on a simple white ceramic plate, a small white bowl filled with rich beef broth, a small white bowl of deep red wine, a small white bowl with vibrant red tomato paste, a small white bowl containing dark Worcestershire sauce, two peeled garlic cloves, one large chopped white onion, four peeled and chopped bright orange carrots, cubed golden Yukon gold potatoes, two fresh bay leaves, a fresh rosemary sprig, two thyme sprigs, a small handful of vibrant green frozen peas (thawed), whole brown eggs with smooth clean shells, 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: Choose well-marbled chuck for tenderness and flavor after slow cooking.
All-purpose flour: Lightly coats the beef to thicken the stew beautifully as it cooks.
Beef broth: The savory base that infuses the whole dish with rich, meaty depth.
Red wine: Adds acidity and complexity; don’t skip it—even a splash elevates the stew.
Tomato paste: Concentrates umami flavor and gives a subtle sweetness and color.
Worcestershire sauce: A secret umami booster that deepens the stew's savory notes.
Garlic cloves: Freshly minced for a fragrant, aromatic lift.
Onion: Classic base flavor—go for white or yellow for mild sweetness.
Carrots: Add natural sweetness and color.
Yukon gold potatoes: Creamy texture that holds up well in slow cooking.
Bay leaves, rosemary, thyme: Classic herbs that make the stew fragrant and cozy.
Frozen peas: Stirred in last minute for a pop of color and sweetness.
Butter: For rich, tender dumplings.
Baking powder: Helps dumplings rise and stay fluffy.
Milk: Adds moisture to the dumpling batter.
Sugar and salt (for dumplings): Just enough to balance flavor.

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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

I like to keep this stew pretty traditional, but I’m always experimenting a bit with the herbs or swapping potatoes for sweet potatoes for a twist. The beauty of slow cooker recipes is how forgiving they are if you want to add your personal touch.

Variation: Try swapping red wine for extra beef broth if you’re avoiding alcohol — it still creates a rich base.
Vegetarian option: Use mushrooms instead of beef and veggie broth to turn it into a veggie stew with dumplings.
Seasonal tweak: Add parsnips or turnips for earthy notes in the fall.
Spice it up: Add a pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne for a subtle kick.

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

Step 1: Prep and Brown Your Beef for Extra Flavor

Start by seasoning your stew beef well with salt and pepper, then toss it gently in flour. This step helps tenderize the meat and thickens the stew later. I like to quickly brown the beef in a hot skillet for a few minutes—this caramelizes the edges and amps up the flavor. While optional, it’s worth the extra few minutes and makes a difference.

Step 2: Load Everything into the Slow Cooker

Next, transfer that beef to your slow cooker along with beef broth, red wine, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, onion, carrots, potatoes, bay leaves, rosemary, and thyme. Give it all a good stir to evenly mix ingredients and distribute flavors. This is where the magic happens—low and slow for tender, luscious stew.

Step 3: Cook Low and Slow for Best Results

Set your slow cooker on low for about 8 hours, or high for around 5 hours. Longer cooking on low tends to develop deeper flavors and melt the beef into tender goodness. It’s worth planning ahead when you can!

Step 4: Make Dumplings and Add Peas

About 30 minutes before the stew’s done, whisk together your dumpling ingredients: flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, and butter cut in until crumbly, then stir in milk. Your batter should be thick enough to scoop. Stir frozen peas into the stew, then drop spoonfuls of the dumpling batter over the top. Cover and cook for one more hour to let those dumplings puff up perfectly.

Top Tip

From my experience, these tips really help anyone make this Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Dumplings Recipe shine — they’ve saved me from soggy dumplings and tough beef more than once!

Coat the Beef in Flour: Don’t skip flouring the beef; it not only flavors the meat but also thickens the stew as it cooks.
Don’t Overcrowd the Dumplings: Drop the batter by 6 to 8 spoonfuls, giving them room to expand without merging into one big dumpling mass.
Use Fresh Herbs When Possible: They really brighten up the stew compared to dried. But in a pinch, dried herbs work just fine.
Patience with Cooking Time: Let the stew do its thing without lifting the lid too often — you might be tempted, but it lets all that flavor concentrate.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Dumplings Recipe

beef stew with dumplings - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping the stew with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or thyme leaves — it adds a burst of color and freshness that balances the richness. Sometimes I add a little cracked black pepper on top for a slight heat that wakes up the dish.

Side Dishes

This stew is a full meal on its own, but if you want a little extra, a simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette or crusty bread on the side works beautifully. The bread is perfect for mopping up any leftover sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve served this in mini cast iron skillets or rustic bread bowls — it makes the experience feel extra cozy and indulgent. Plus, it’s a conversation starter when guests see those fluffy dumplings piled high on top!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I transfer leftovers to airtight containers and keep them in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making the next day’s meal even tastier.

Freezing

I usually freeze the stew and dumplings separately to maintain texture, especially the dumplings which can go a bit mushy if frozen together. Freeze the stew in portion-sized containers for up to 3 months. The dumplings freeze well if wrapped tightly, then reheated gently.

Reheating

Reheat the stew gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally. If frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator first. For the dumplings, warm them in a covered dish in the oven or microwave to keep them fluffy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Dumplings Recipe without red wine?

Absolutely! You can replace the red wine with an equal amount of extra beef broth or a splash of balsamic vinegar to retain depth of flavor. It won’t be exactly the same, but still delicious.

How do I know when the dumplings are cooked?

The dumplings should be fluffy and set on top of the stew after about an hour of cooking. You can test them by inserting a toothpick or fork—if it comes out clean, they’re done. Avoid lifting the lid too often as it lets steam escape.

Can I prepare the stew a day ahead?

Yes! You can prepare the stew base a day ahead and keep it refrigerated. When ready to cook, add the dumplings last to ensure they remain fresh and fluffy. This helps flavors develop even more overnight.

What’s the best cut of beef for this stew?

Chuck roast cut into 1-inch cubes is ideal for slow-cooking because it becomes tender and flavorful without drying out. Avoid lean cuts like sirloin, as they can get tough from long cooking.

Final Thoughts

This Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Dumplings Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen for comfort food that’s both simple and impressive. It’s one of those dishes where you get all the rewards with minimal fuss — perfect for busy days or when you want to impress without stressing. I promise, once you try it, it’ll become a go-to “slow cooker hug” for you and your loved ones.