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Published 27/08/2025
2:40
Serves 6
Easy

Beef stew and dumplings

With thick, rich gravy, chunky vegetables and tender chunks of beef, our beef stew with dumplings recipe will warm you through.

An ideal recipe for those colder, longer evenings, this beef stew recipe is easy to make and packed full of flavour. Serve with buttery mash, steamed greens or alongside crusty bread. We love to top this stew with homemade dumplings.

What you'll need...

For the beef stew

  • 1kg stewing steak, cut into 1 inch cubes
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 2 tbsp plain flour
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 2 stalks of celery, chopped
  • 3 large carrots, chopped roughly
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 200ml red wine
  • 1 litre of beef stock
  • Bouquet garni of thyme and rosemary
  • 2 bay leaves 

For the suet dumplings

  • 150g plain flour
  • 75g suet
  • Pinch of salt
  • 2 tsp dried thyme, optional

Method

  1. Heat a large cast iron casserole over a medium high heat and add the oil. Place the cubed meat in a plastic food bag and add the flour with plenty of salt and pepper. Once coated, fry off the meat in batches, ensuring you don’t overcrowd the pan. Remove the browned meat and set aside on a plate.  

  2. Add the onion, celery and carrot – sauté until softened, then add the garlic and cook for a further minute. Add the tomato paste and cook for a minute before deglazing the pan with the wine. Cook off the alcohol for a minute or two then add the beef stock.  

  3. Return the meat to the pan, add the herbs, cover and cook on low for 1-2 hours until the meat is tender. You can simmer your cast iron in a 160C fan oven for 2-3 hours.  

  1. Make the dumplings by adding all the ingredients to a bowl and using a blunt knife to cut through 2-3 tbsp of cold water at a time. Once the dough has come together, divide it into 8 equal pieces and add them to the stew 20 minutes before cooking finishes.  

  2. Remove the herbs and test for seasoning. Add more salt and pepper as needed. Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce at the end for a little kick if you like. Serve with creamy mashed potatoes and buttered greens of your choice. 

Shop the tools you will need

Secondary image for image of Professional Bi-Ply Frying Pan 28cm Main image for image of Professional Bi-Ply Frying Pan 28cm

£55.00

Secondary image for image of Professional X50 Contour Chefs Knife 15cm / 6in Main image for image of Professional X50 Contour Chefs Knife 15cm / 6in

£32.00 £25.60

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