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Beef Stew & Dumplings

A classic comfort food that combines tender beef, flavorful veggies, and fluffy dumplings, perfect for cold days or hearty family dinners.
Print it Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: British, Comfort Food
Calories: 600
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Dumplings
  • 12 oz self-raising flour Lightly breadcrumbed with butter
  • 6 oz butter Use cold butter for best results
  • 1 pinch salt To taste
  • 1 pinch pepper To taste
  • as needed water Water To combine the dough
For the Stew
  • 1 lb stewing beef Choose good quality for best flavor
  • 1 tin oxtail soup
  • 1 tin tomato soup
  • to taste Worcester sauce Don't skip, it adds depth of flavor
  • 2 oxo cubes Oxo cubes For added flavor
  • to taste pinch salt
  • to taste pinch pepper
  • 1 large onion, chopped Adds sweetness
  • 2 medium carrots, chopped For sweetness and color
  • 1 large swede, chopped
  • 2 medium parsnips, chopped Adds sweetness
  • as needed water Water to cover ingredients

Method
 

Prepare Dumplings
  1. Lightly breadcrumb the flour and butter in a bowl with a pinch of salt and pepper.
  2. Gradually mix in water until the mixture is just combined. Be careful not to overwork the dough.
Cook Stew
  1. In a large pot, combine the stewing beef with the oxtail soup, tomato soup, Worcestershire sauce, oxo cubes, salt, pepper, onion, carrots, swede, and parsnips.
  2. Add enough water to cover all the ingredients in the pot and bring to a simmer.
  3. Let it cook all day until the meat and vegetables are nice and tender.
Serve
  1. Ladle the stew into bowls and place the dumplings on top.
  2. Enjoy with a slice of fresh bread for dipping or on its own.

Notes

If you have leftovers, let the stew cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Separate the dumplings if freezing as they do not freeze well.