Beef and beer stew with dumplings recipe

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This tender beef and beer stew with dumplings is a great family meal. It’s perfect for those cold winter days and takes no time at all to prepare

(Image credit: TI Media Limited)
Serves4–5
SkillMedium
Preparation Time30 mins
Cooking Time3 hours
Total Time3 hours 30 mins
Nutrition Per PortionRDA
Calories630 Kcal32%
Fat30 g43%
Saturated Fat15 g75%

This all-in-one beer and beef stew with dumplings is a great winter warmer that is sure to feed all the family. It's easy to make and is a great way of getting the best flavour out of your tender beef. Why not try our classic dumplings recipe with this dish instead?

Ingredients

  • 2tbsp sunflower oil
  • 1kg diced stewing or braising steak
  • 250g shallots, peeled
  • 350g Chantenay carrots
  • 2 level tbsp plain flour
  • 440ml can bitter or ale
  • 1 beef stock cube
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the dumplings:

  • 150g self-raising flour
  • 75g shredded suet

WEIGHT CONVERTER

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Method

  1. Set the oven to 160°C/325°F/Gas Mark 3. Heat the oil in a sauté pan or large frying pan, and add a single layer of the meat. If it doesn’t all fit in the pan, cook it in batches. Brown all surfaces of the meat over a medium heat. The secret is to let each surface of the meat pieces brown completely before turning, rather than continually stirring. That way, the juices will be nicely sealed in and the meat properly caramelised to give the best flavour.
  2. Remove the meat from the pan, add the shallots and carrots to the juices and cook for a few mins, stirring occasionally, until they start to brown. Return the beef to the pan, with any juices that have escaped, and sprinkle over the flour. Stir well, then pour in the ale, add the stock cube and bay leaves, season and bring to the boil. Transfer mixture to a covered casserole dish, and cook in the centre of the oven for 2½-3hrs, or until the meat is really tender.
  3. To make the dumplings: Tip the flour and some seasoning into a bowl and stir in the suet. Add enough water to give a dropping consistency and form into balls. Add to the stew about 30 mins before the end of cooking. For slightly crispy dumplings, remove the lid when you return the dish to the oven; for soft, fluffy dumplings, keep the dish covered while cooking.
  4. To freeze: The stew may be frozen for up to 3 months; allow to defrost before reheating, and add a little water or stock if it’s too thick. The dumplings are not suitable for freezing.

Top tips for making beef and beer stew with dumplings

As a variation for the dumplings, try adding 1-2tbsps horseradish sauce to the mixture. We've used a 440ml can bitter or ale for this recipe, but you could opt for a low calorie beer instead to lower the calorie count.

Jessica Dady
Food Editor

Jessica Dady is Food Editor at GoodtoKnow and has over 11 years of experience as a digital editor, specialising in all things food, recipes, and SEO. From the must-buy seasonal food hampers and advent calendars for Christmas to the family-friendly air fryers that’ll make dinner time a breeze, Jessica loves trying and testing various food products to find the best of the best for the busy parents among us. Over the years of working with GoodtoKnow, Jessica has had the privilege of working alongside Future’s Test Kitchen to create exclusive videos - as well as writing, testing, and shooting her own recipes. When she’s not embracing the great outdoors with her family at the weekends, Jessica enjoys baking up a storm in the kitchen with her favourite bakes being chocolate chip cookies, cupcakes, and a tray of gooey chocolate brownies