Historic Tour-Inspired Beef and Mushroom Stew with Herb Dumplings
A hearty beef stew featuring tender mushrooms and fluffy herb dumplings, evoking the comforting meals shared on historical tours. This american-inspired beef ready in about 135 minutes pairs tablespoons olive oil, large, diced yellow onion, ounces, halved cremini mushrooms for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds, cut into 1-inch cubes beef chuck stew meat
- 1/4 cup plus 1/2 cup for dumplings all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large, diced yellow onion
- 3 medium, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds carrots
- 8 ounces, halved cremini mushrooms
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 1/2 teaspoons, divided salt
- 1 teaspoon, divided black pepper
- 1 large eggs
- 1/2 cup whole milk
Instructions
- Step 1: Toss 1 1/2 pounds beef chuck stew meat with 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper until evenly coated.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the beef in batches, about 4 minutes per side, until a deep crust forms. Remove beef and set aside.
- Step 3: Add 1 large diced yellow onion, 3 sliced medium carrots, and 8 ounces halved cremini mushrooms to the pot, sautéing for 6-7 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 4: Stir in 2 tablespoons tomato paste and 1 teaspoon dried thyme, cooking for 1 minute until aromatic.
- Step 5: Return browned beef to pot and pour in 4 cups beef broth, scraping the bottom to loosen browned bits. Bring to a boil, then reduce to low heat and simmer covered for 1 1/2 hours until beef is tender.
- Step 6: Meanwhile, prepare dumplings by mixing 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1 large egg, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, and 1/2 cup whole milk until a sticky dough forms.
- Step 7: Drop tablespoon-sized dumplings onto the simmering stew, cover, and cook for an additional 15 minutes until dumplings are puffed and cooked through.
- Step 8: Adjust seasoning with remaining salt and pepper to taste before serving the stew hot with herb dumplings.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Historic Tour-Inspired Beef and Mushroom Stew with Herb Dumplings take to make?
Total time is about 135 minutes (25 min prep + 110 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Historic Tour-Inspired Beef and Mushroom Stew with Herb Dumplings?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep tablespoons olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Historic Tour-Inspired Beef and Mushroom Stew with Herb Dumplings?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Historic Tour-Inspired Beef and Mushroom Stew with Herb Dumplings for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Historic Tour-Inspired Beef and Mushroom Stew with Herb Dumplings?
American beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
Equipment for this recipe
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