Beef Stew with Dumplings is a hearty stew with soft beef, vegetables, a flavorful broth, and big, fluffy dumplings that you make yourself. It is the perfect comfort food based on my Crock Pot Beef Stew. One of those dishes that your family will love right away! You could also use slow cooker dumplings to make this stew.
Meat: When making beef stew, choosing a chuck roast is best. This is a good choice because it has a lot of marbling, which makes the meat taste better and keeps it moist while it cooks. The stew is tender and tasty because the chuck roast has a good balance of lean meat and fat. If you can’t find chuck roast, you can use bottom round or brisket instead. It’s important to brown the meat before you add the rest of the stew ingredients.
Vegetables: Adding an abundance of vegetables is a surefire way to enhance a stew’s flavor and nutritional value. In this recipe, I included celery, carrots, peas, potatoes, and onions, but the possibilities are endless. You could also add your favorite vegetables, like mushrooms, green beans, parsnips, turnips, sweet potatoes, or any of the others listed above.
What kind of wine should I use? A full-bodied, dry red wine like Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon will go well with the strong flavors of the beef and vegetables. Make sure it is a wine you enjoy drinking for the best results. If you prefer not to add wine, substitute a little more beef broth.
Herbs: I used both fresh thyme and fresh parsley in the stew. In fact, I even added thyme to the dumpling dough to add a little subtle flavor. If you only have dried herbs, use about 1/3 of the amount of each fresh herb.
Dumplings: The large homemade dumplings are added to the stew to steam for about 20 minutes before serving. You could also use the store-bought dumpling dough.
Beef stew and dumplings is the ultimate comfort food. This hearty dish fills your soul with happiness in every spoonful. With tender beef, carrots, potatoes and fluffy dumplings swimming in a savory gravy, it’s pure perfection.
But like any stew, it can get a little heavy. That’s why you need the right side dishes to balance out the richness. The good news is beef stew and dumplings pairs well with a variety of sides.
In this article, you’ll discover 12 delicious options for what to serve with beef stew and dumplings. From crispy roasted veggies to warm, buttery rolls, these sides will take your cozy meal from great to spectacular!
What Goes Well with Beef Stew and Dumplings?
Before diving into the recipes, let’s look at what kinds of sides work best with beef stew and dumplings:
Crunchy, Crispy Sides – The soft, tender textures of the stew demand something crisp and fresh. Roasted vegetables, salads and breads add nice contrast.
Starchy Sides – Hearty starches like mashed potatoes rice or polenta soak up the rich gravy perfectly.
Bright, Tangy Sides – Beef stew tends to be heavy, so bright, acidic sides help cut through the richness. Think salads with vinaigrette or slaws with tangy dressing.
Warm Baked Breads – Is there anything better than dunking a warm, buttery roll or biscuit into beef stew? These baked goods complete the meal
Keep these elements in mind as you browse the 12 side dish recipes below. With the right balance of flavors and textures, you’ll have an unforgettable beef stew feast!
12 Perfect Side Dishes for Beef Stew and Dumplings
- Buttermilk Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Sweet Potatoes
- Smoky Roast Potatoes
- Colcannon
- Irish Soda Bread
- Cornbread
- Sourdough Bread
- Dinner Rolls
- Focaccia Bread
- Cauliflower Mash
- Green Salad
- Roasted Vegetables
Below you’ll find more details on each side dish recipe and why it pairs so perfectly with beef stew and dumplings. Let’s get started!
1. Buttermilk Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Creamy, garlicky mashed potatoes are pretty much everyone’s favorite comfort food. This side dish has major stew-sopping potential. The potatoes soak up all that rich gravy beautifully.
To make them, boil and mash russet potatoes with butter, garlic, and tangy buttermilk. The buttermilk gives them extra creaminess without the need for heavy cream. Sprinkle the tops with chives or green onions for color and freshness.
With beef stew and dumplings, these mashed potatoes provide the ideal starchy accompaniment. Each bite melts in your mouth!
2. Sweet Potatoes
Here’s a fun twist on basic mashed potatoes! Sweet potatoes are just as creamy but have a lovely natural sweetness. They add festive color to your stew dinner, too.
Boil or roast sweet potato chunks until tender. Then mash them with butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and a splash of milk or cream.
The sweet potatoes balance the heartiness of the stew perfectly. Plus, they’re packed with vitamins and fiber. A healthier comfort food – yes, please!
3. Smoky Roast Potatoes
For a crispy, crunchy potato dish, roasted potatoes can’t be beat. Diced potato wedges seasoned with paprika, garlic and olive oil transform into irresistible morsels in the oven.
Parboil the potatoes briefly until just tender but not fully cooked. Drain them well then coat with oil and seasonings. Roast at high heat until crispy and browned.
The smoky roast potatoes provide fabulous textural contrast to the soft stew. Scoop them up and enjoy!
4. Colcannon
Here’s an Irish take on mashed potatoes – colcannon! It’s made by mashing together potatoes, cabbage or kale, green onions, butter and cream.
The potatoes provide creaminess while the greens lend an earthy flavor. Combined, they make a hearty, satisfying side for rich stews.
As an added bonus, colcannon is thought to bring good luck when served, which is perfect for St. Patrick’s Day. Sláinte!
5. Irish Soda Bread
Warm, crusty soda bread is another Irish specialty that begs to be served with beef stew and dumplings. The nutty whole wheat flour, tangy buttermilk and hint of sweetness from raisins or caraway seeds make it simply divine.
Though called a bread, Irish soda bread has a crumbly, cake-like texture. It’s delicious served warm from the oven, split open and slathered with butter.
For a fun twist, shape your dough into round buns instead of a loaf. They’ll soak up the stew juices perfectly.
6. Cornbread
If you prefer a Southern touch, cornbread is the way to go. Made from cornmeal, buttermilk and egg, cornbread boasts a signature crumbly yet moist texture. It’s slightly sweet and pairs perfectly with savory stews.
For extra flavor, add shredded cheddar cheese, minced jalapeños, or kernels of corn. Bake your cornbread in a cast iron skillet for warm, golden edges.
Crumble a wedge of cornbread right into your stew bowl and enjoy the combination of sweet and savory. Delish!
7. Sourdough Bread
With its signature chewy crumb and tangy flavor, sourdough bread is a natural fit for beef stew. Tear off a chunk and use it to soak up every last drop of gravy from your bowl.
Bake your own sourdough at home or pick up a loaf from a local bakery. An artisan sourdough with nuts, seeds or roasted garlic takes this simple side to the next level.
Don’t forget to spread each slice with soft butter or dip it right into your stew!
8. Dinner Rolls
Warm, yeasty dinner rolls may be simple, but they check all the boxes. They soak up sauce beautifully, provide a nice texture contrast to stew and round out the meal.
Plus, pulling apart a golden roll and dipping it into stew is just plain fun and satisfying. Store-bought rolls heated up or homemade yeast rolls both do the trick.
For added flavor, try rolls topped with garlic butter, sea salt, seeds or grated cheese. Yum!
9. Focaccia Bread
Need to serve a crowd with your beef stew? Focaccia to the rescue! This flatbread baked in a sheet pan feeds a lot of hungry people.
Focaccia has a crisp, oily crust with a chewy, airy interior. Season your dough with rosemary, garlic, chili flakes or other savory herbs and let it rise twice for maximum flavor.
Cut the large focaccia into squares for dunking into your fabulous stew and dumplings. It’s easy to make and so impressive.
10. Cauliflower Mash
If you’re looking for a lighter, gluten-free side, try mashed cauliflower! When blended smooth, cauliflower has a similar creamy texture to mashed potatoes.
Simply steam cauliflower florets until very tender, then mash them with butter, cream cheese, garlic, and any other seasonings you like. They’re healthier but just as comforting as potatoes.
Cauliflower mash adds great color to your stew dinner, too. It holds its own against the heartiness of the dish.
11. Green Salad
A simple green salad provides necessary balance and brightness to beef stew’s richness. The crunch of crisp lettuce, onion and tomato paired with a tart vinaigrette cuts through all that meaty gravy in the best way.
Dress up your salad with any toppings you like – cheese, nuts, dried cranberries, croutons, etc. The choices are endless for building a fantastic salad.
Don’t forget to drizzle your salad with a bold vinaigrette. The acidic tang prevents your meal from feeling too heavy.
12. Roasted Vegetables
Last but not least, roasted vegetables are a fabulous pick for what to serve with beef stew and dumplings. Roasting caramelizes natural sugars and intensifies flavors for delicious results.
Almost any veggie tastes amazing roasted – potatoes, Brussels sprouts, carrots, parsnips, asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, peppers, onions…you name it!
Toss your vegetables in olive oil, salt, pepper and herbs like rosemary or thyme. Roast at 400°F until browned and tender. Enjoy the medley of flavors and textures alongside your stew.
Tips for the Best Stew and Dumplings Dinner
- Make your stew and side dishes ahead of time. Then just reheat and assemble everything
How to Tell When Dumplings are Done
The cooking time can vary depending on the size and thickness of the dumplings. For instance, these dumplings took over 20 minutes to cook. First, look for a soft, golden-brown texture to indicate that the dumplings are cooked. They should not be sticky to the touch. Put a toothpick through the middle of a dumpling to make sure it’s done. If it comes out clean, the dumplings are ready to eat!
Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Dumplings
First, brown the beef cubes in a pan and sprinkle them with flour. Then, put them in a slow cooker. Next, add the browned beef to the slow cooker along with the remaining stew ingredients. Cook on low for 8 hours. In the final 15 minutes of cooking time, remove the bay leaves and add the dumplings.
Beef Stew & Dumplings
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