Slow-Simmered Beef & Vegetable Stew with Herbed Dumplings
A hearty, one-pot stew with tender beef, seasonal veggies, and fluffy herb dumplings, simmered to perfection over 2 hours for deep, rich flavor. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 165 minutes pairs cut into 1-inch cubes beef chuck roast, all-purpose flour, vegetable oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 510 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
- 2 lbs, cut into 1-inch cubes beef chuck roast
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 4 medium, peeled and sliced carrots
- 3 stalks, sliced celery
- 1 large, diced onion
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 cup (store-bought or homemade) dumpling dough
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat beef cubes dry and toss with 3 tbsp all-purpose flour until evenly coated. Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown beef in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until deeply seared, then set aside.
- Step 2: Add diced onion, sliced carrots, and celery to the pot. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened. Stir in 1 tsp dried thyme and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Return beef to the pot, add 4 cups beef broth and 1 can diced tomatoes. Bring to a simmer, then cover and reduce heat to low. Cook for 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until beef is fork-tender.
- Step 4: While stew simmers, form dumpling dough into 12 small balls. Gently drop dumplings onto the surface of the simmering stew. Cover and cook for 20 minutes more, until dumplings are puffed and cooked through. Stir in 2 tbsp chopped parsley before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Simmered Beef & Vegetable Stew with Herbed Dumplings take to make?
Total time is about 165 minutes (25 min prep + 140 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 Slow-Simmered Beef & Vegetable Stew with Herbed 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 all-purpose flour from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Simmered Beef & Vegetable Stew with Herbed 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 Slow-Simmered Beef & Vegetable Stew with Herbed 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 Slow-Simmered Beef & Vegetable Stew with Herbed Dumplings?
American slow cooker 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★☆☆☆
The proportions seem off. Way too much of some ingredients.
