Mom's Hearty Beef Stew with Dumplings is a classic American comfort food that warms the soul. This recipe features tender beef, hearty vegetables, and fluffy dumplings in a rich and flavorful broth. It's the perfect dish to enjoy on a cold winter day or any time you crave a comforting meal. With simple ingredients and easy preparation, this recipe will become a family favorite. Serve it with warm crusty bread for a complete and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 3 potatoes, peeled and diced
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup red wine
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Directions
- Season the beef stew meat with salt and pepper.
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
- Add the seasoned beef stew meat and cook until browned on all sides.
- Remove the beef from the pot and set aside.
- In the same pot, add the diced onion and minced garlic.
- Cook until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
- Add the sliced carrots and diced potatoes to the pot.
- Pour in the beef broth and red wine.
- Stir in the bay leaves and dried thyme.
- Return the browned beef to the pot.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low.
- Cover the pot and simmer for 1 hour, or until the beef is tender.
- In the meantime, make the dumplings by combining the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl.
- Add the milk and melted butter, stirring until just combined.
- After the stew has simmered for 1 hour, remove the bay leaves.
- Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling batter onto the simmering stew.
- Cover the pot and continue simmering for 15 minutes, or until the dumplings are cooked through.
- Stir in the frozen peas and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let the stew rest for a few minutes before serving.
- Serve the Mom's Hearty Beef Stew with Dumplings hot with warm crusty bread.
Interesting Facts
Beef stew is a classic dish that traces its roots back to medieval times, when tough cuts of meat were slow-cooked in a pot to tenderize them.
Dumplings are a versatile addition to many dishes and can be made with various ingredients, such as flour, cornmeal, or even breadcrumbs.
This recipe uses red wine to add depth of flavor to the stew, but it can be omitted if desired.
Leftover stew can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for later enjoyment.
Feel free to customize the stew by adding your favorite vegetables or herbs.