Indulge in warmth and simplicity with this flavorful beef and dumplings stew – a comforting one-pot wonder that’s perfect for chilly days!
This slow-simmered beef stew and dumplings recipe combines succulent beef, tender vegetables, and fluffy Bisquick dumplings in a flavorful symphony of comfort.
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When it’s cold out, I crave comfort food. I want to serve my family and myself meals that not only fill the belly but also wrap us in a blanket of comfort.
Beef stew with Bisquick dumplings immediately comes to mind!
The simplicity of the recipe is complimentary to the complexity of flavors that this one-pot meal brings to the table.
Beef stew and dumplings is a slow-simmered masterpiece, loaded with tender beef, an array of veggies, and a gravy that’s downright drool-worthy.
Time is your friend for this recipe. It’s not quick, but it is worth the wait (you can always make Hearty Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Beef Stew if you’re short on time).
Fortunately, this stove top beef stew practically takes care of itself.
Once the meat is browned and everything is in the pot, let it simmer and work its magic.
No need for constant monitoring or complicated steps. Your job? Kick back, relax, and inhale the amazing aroma filling your home.
We top the stew with dumplings from my favorite Bisquick dumpling recipe for a hearty, filling and soul-warming meal.
Bisquick is an easy way to make fluffy drop dumplings, sometimes called suet dumplings, which pair perfectly with this stew.
More Classic Comfort Food Recipes:
Brown The Meat for Better Beef and Dumplings
Browning the meat is a crucial step in the process of making beef and dumplings stew and it significantly enhances the flavor profile of the final dish.
Don’t just take my word for it, it’s science!
When meat is subjected to high heat during the browning process, a series of complex chemical reactions, collectively known as the Maillard reaction, occur.
This reaction results in the development of a rich brown color and a myriad of new flavor compounds.
In essence, browning transforms the raw, neutral taste of the meat into a deeply flavorful and truly delectable stew.
Browning also creates a desirable texture in the meat, forming a flavorful crust that seals in juices and helps to maintain moisture during the slow-simmering process.
This caramelization enhances the rich flavor and creates a stew that’s truly next-level delicious.
How to Make Beef Stew and Dump
It’s really easy to make this hearty, satisfying meal.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Easy Beef Stew:
- Olive Oil
- Beef Stew Meat (or chuck roast cut into cubes)
- All-purpose Flour
- Onion
- Carrots
- Celery Ribs
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Ground thyme
- Italian seasoning
- Bay Leaves
- Beef Broth
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Tomato Paste
For the Drop Dumplings:
- Bisquick Baking Mix
- Milk
How to Make It:
(Full printable recipe card is available below)
Brown the Meat. First, you’ll heat oil in a dutch oven.
Add the meat and brown the beef on all sides, turning every couple of minutes until surfaces are browned.
Add the flour. Next, you’ll sprinkle the flour over the beef and its drippings, stirring to combine.
Cook the delicious beef stew. Next, you’ll add onions, carrots, and celery and stir to combine.
Add salt, pepper, garlic powder, thyme, Italian seasoning, bay leaf, broth, Worcestershire sauce, and tomato paste to the Dutch oven.
Give it a good stir to combine, and scrape any bits from the bottom of the pan.
Increase heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a boil. Then decrease the heat to low or medium-low to allow the contents to simmer.
Place lid on pot and continue to simmer, covered, for a cooking time of about an hour and a half, stirring occasionally, until the beef chunks are tender.
Prepare the dumpling dough mixture. Next you’ll prepare dumplings by combining Bisquick baking mix and milk in a mixing bowl.
Stir together until the baking mix is moistened and a sticky dough is formed. Let sit for about 5 minutes.
Cook the dumplings. Next, ensure that the stew is at a simmer/low boil on medium-low or medium heat.
Drop dough by tablespoon (a small cookie scoop is helpful if you have one) onto the top of the stew.
Simmer the dumplings uncovered for 10 minutes (you’ll notice they are puffing up as they cook), then place a lid on the pot and continue to simmer for 10 minutes more.
You’ll know the dumplings are done when the interior is fluffy, like the inside of a biscuit. If they’re still doughy or dense inside, they aren’t done yet!
Serve. Last, you’ll uncover the stew and serve!
Use a wooden spoon or ladle to scoop out some of the stew and fluffy dumplings.
Notes and Adaptations:
- Feel free to add different vegetables if you’d like. Frozen peas, green beans, or corn would be tasty additions. You could also add cubed russet potatoes.
- When cooking the dumplings, you want the stew to be bubbling at a good simmer, but not at a full, vigorous rolling boil. Otherwise, the dumplings can fall apart and the stew can scorch on the bottom of the pot. But if the liquid isn’t hot enough, they may take longer to cook through the middle.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. You will likely need to add some water or broth when reheating to thin out the stew.
Recommended Equipment:
- Dutch oven or stockpot
Beef Stew and Dumplings
This hearty beef stew with dumplings is a deliciously comforting meal that immediately makes you feel cozy!
Ingredients
- For the Beef Stew:
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 1/2 - 2 pounds beef stew meat (or chuck roast cut into cubes)
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 medium onion, diced
- 3 carrots, sliced
- 2 celery ribs, sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 bay leaves
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
- For the Dumplings:
- 2 1/4 cups Bisquick baking mix
- 2/3 cups milk
Instructions
- Add olive oil to a Dutch oven or other oven-safe pot and heat over medium heat.
- Once oil is hot, add beef pieces. Brown the beef on all sides, turning every couple of minutes until surfaces are browned.
- After browning, sprinkle the flour over the beef and its drippings, stirring to combine.
- Add onions, carrots, and celery and stir to combine.
- Add salt, pepper, garlic powder, thyme, Italian seasoning, bay leaf, broth, Worcestershire sauce, and tomato paste to the Dutch oven. Stir to combine, scraping up any bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Increase heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a boil. Then decrease the heat to low or medium-low to allow the contents to simmer. Place lid on pot and continue to simmer, covered, for about an hour and a half, stirring occasionally, until the beef chunks are tender.
- Remove the bay leaves and discard.
- Prepare dumplings by combining Bisquick baking mix and milk in a mixing bowl. Stir together until the baking mix is moistened and a sticky dough is formed. Let sit for about 5 minutes.
- Ensure that the stew is at a simmer/low boil. Drop dough by tablespoon (a small cookie scoop is helpful if you have one) onto the simmering liquid. Simmer the dumplings uncovered for 10 minutes, then place a lid on the pot and continue to simmer for 10 minutes more. Dumplings are done when the interior is fluffy, like the inside of a biscuit.
- Remove lid and serve.
Notes
- Feel free to add different vegetables if you'd like. Frozen peas, green beans, or corn would be tasty additions. You could also add cubed russet potatoes.
- When cooking the dumplings, you want the stew to be bubbling at a good simmer, but not at a full, vigorous rolling boil. Otherwise, the dumplings can fall apart and the stew can scorch on the bottom of the pot. But if the liquid isn't hot enough, they may take longer to cook through the middle.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 626Total Fat: 25gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 165mgSodium: 1527mgCarbohydrates: 39gFiber: 2gSugar: 9gProtein: 60g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and is not guaranteed for accuracy.
Be sure to save this recipe to your dinner ideas board on Pinterest!
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