Slow cooker vegan beef stew and dumplings is the epitome of plant-based comfort food.
Deep savoury stew with sweet potatoes and the fluffiest, softest, delicious wee dumplings.
Seriously you have got to try making these vegan dumplings. They are not heavy or filling but resemble little fluffy pillows of yumminess.
Origins of beef stew and dumplings
A stew is simply a selection of vegetables, pulse, meat, fish, herbs, spices, etc cooked in a flavoured liquid gravy-sauce.
Humans have been preparing stews for thousands of years. Most countries have their own favourite traditional stews.
Dumplings are also a traditional food prepared differently depending on the cuisine.
British dumplings are generally a mix of flour and suet. This type of dumpling has been popular for many hundreds of years. They were commonly used in stews and soups to bulk the meal out as meat was expensive.
Vegan beef stew and dumplings
For my recipe I have prepared the dumplings with self-raising flour, vegan mayonnaise, plant-milk and dried thyme. This combination works a treat!
You might want to double up the recipe as 2 dumplings per serving may not be enough! This recipe uses a 3.5 litre (3-4 quart) slow cooker and not sure I could fit in more dumplings but I think I will give it a good try next time!
Textured vegetable protein chunks (TVP) replace the beef element. I love how versatile TVP can be as well as how it soaks up all the delicious gravy flavours. TVP is also really economical and lasts well in the pantry. In the US soy curls can be used instead.
I have chosen to use sweet potatoes as they lend a sweet, creamy taste and texture, and the usual suspects of carrots, onions and garlic!
If you can source the new meat-free beef flavour Oxo cubes then I recommend these for this stew but if not any vegan beef flavour or veggie stock will be fine.
How to prepare vegan 'beef' stew and fluffy dumplings:
Prepare the doughballs by mixing all the ingredients together.
Add the lid and cook for 20 minutes.
Dish up the tastiness!
Slow Cooker Vegan Beef Stew And Dumplings Recipe Notes
- Vegan stew will keep fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat leftovers until piping hot. A little more liquid may need to be added to reheat if the gravy is all soaked up!
- Perfect for batch prep! Portions can be frozen until required. Defrost and reheat until piping hot.
- Don't have a slow cooker? Just use a large saucepan to prepare your stew. Gently simmer the stew for at least 45 minutes, and then add the dumplings. Cook the dumplings for 10 minutes then flip and cook for another 10 minutes. Add a lid while cooking the dumplings.
- If cooking on the stove top you may need to add more veggie stock.
- Instead of veggie or vegan beef flavour stock use some vegan gravy granules.
- For thicker stews thicken up with a little cornflour/starch.
- Switch out the sweet potatoes for white potatoes.
- Bulk out the stew by adding more sweet potato and carrot.
- Bulk up the calories by serving the stew over your favourite grain such as a portion of cooked barley.
- Add some chopped kale to the stew before you add the dumplings.
- Garnish with some twigs of fresh parsley.
- For a cheezie hit and boost of nutrients add a teaspoon or 2 of nutritional yeast powder to each serving. Just mix through the stew and it will dissolve.
- A chunk of wholemeal bread would be amazing with this vegan stew. Try my easy vegan Irish soda bread recipe.
More traditional vegan stew ideas
Creamed Vegan 'beef' And Barley Stew
Vegan 'chicken' Stew And Dumplings
Scottish Stovies (with mashed neeps (turnips/rutabaga)
Recipe
Slow Cooker Vegan Beef Stew and Dumplings
Equipment
- Slow cooker/crock pot at least 3.5 litres (3 quart plus) size
Ingredients
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 4 whole garlic cloves diced or minced
- 220 grams carrots 2 medium. Chopped into chunks.
- 460 grams sweet potatoes Chopped into chunks.
- 100 grams celery 2-3 stalks. Chopped into chunks.
- 100 grams soy chunks (TVP) or soy curls.
- 2 vegan stock cubes I used meat-free beef flavour OXO cubes. If using vegan beef Oxo cubes you may need 3 as they are smaller than other stock cubes. Alternatively use a different beef flavour vegan stock or vegetable stock. Using a vegan beef flavour stock does provide a rich, brown gravy colour.
- 1 teaspoon vegetable extract or marmite
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon tomato puree or paste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 litre water
For 8 fluffy doughballs
- 165 grams self-raising flour
- 125 millilitre plant milk
- 2 tablespoon vegan mayonnaise I used Asda (UK) own brand of vegan mayonnaise.
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to the slow cooker.Mix. Push the TVP down below the stock as much as possible.(Half way through cooking if possible give the stew a little stir and push the TVP down if necessary. But don't worry if you can't do this step!)
- Set the slow cooker to medium for 5 hours.
- Alternatively cook on low for 6-7 hours.Or high for 3-4 hours. If cooking on high check your vegetables after 3 hours as they may be cooked through, and then the doughballs can be added.[Exact times may vary depending on your slow cooker or crockpot, and how chunky your veggies have been cut]
- After 5 hours prepare the dough balls. Turn the slow cooker to high while making the dough balls.Mix the flour with the plant milk, vegan mayonnaise, thyme, a pinch of salt and pepper, to a thick sticky wet dough.
- Using a tablespoon or small ice cream scoop make 8 doughballs, plonking each one gently in the stew. Try not to let each doughball stick to another. But don't worry if they do.
- Place the lid on the slow cooker and leave for 20 minutes.Gently flip each doughball be careful to not break them up.Cook for another 20-25 minutes with the lid on.
- Check the seasoning. Add salt and pepper as desired.
- Serve right away or use the keep warm setting.
Notes
- Nutritional information is provided for guidance only and is not a strict calculation as ingredients vary.
- Leftover vegan beef stew and dumplings will keep fresh in the refrigerator, within a covered container, for up to 3 days.
- Or freeze for up to 4 months.
- Reheat by placing in a saucepan and gently reheating until piping hot. Extra water of stock may be required if the gravy has become very thick. Although as the gravy heats it will become thinner.
Alys
This is hands down the best stew I’ve ever had it comes so close to my mams recipe! I’m just waiting for the dumplings to cook I didn’t have any self raising so used plain with two tsp of baking powder and 1/4 tsp of bicarbonate of soda.
Jacq
Thanks so much! So happy the vegan beef stew is like your mams recipe! x
Sarah F
I used my crockpot for the very first time yesterday and am really glad this was the first recipe I tried out in it… so easy and yummy, and these dumplings are next level!! I’m eating the leftovers as I type this and it’s even better today.
Jacq
Thanks so much for your comment! Really happy that you love the stew and dumplings. I agree stews taste even better the next day and those dumplings are my all-time favourite. Am sure you will make lots more lovely things in your new crockpot this winter, they are so handy x
Karen
I made this a few times last (Florida) winter and the family loved it. Today is the first cool day here, so made for supper. Picky granddaughter is all excited ( she devoured it last time)! Thanks for the recipe.
Jacq
Your so welcome! Very happy you all loved the stew. It's one of our family favourites x
Toni
Totally comforting!! Everyone at my house was impressed! Such a huge hit for dinner!
Jacq
So happy your family enjoyed the vegan 'beef' stew!! It's a huge hit at our house too 🙂
Sue
I have a vegan nephew so I'm going to try this out on him, love those dumplings!
Jacq
Brilliant! My son loves these dumplings and stew. Would love to know how your nephew liked them. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Dannii
You can't beat a hearty stew for comfort food. This vegan version looks delicious.
Jacq
Thanks so much! I agree totally. Hearty stews are just so comforting 🙂
Gina
What a cozy meal, definitely make extra dumplings, they're the best part!
Jacq
I totally agree!!! Extra dumplings are a must. Although I usually end up sacrificing the dumplings to my kids and only having a few. As they love the dumplings so much! 🙂
Allyssa
Thank you so much for sharing this very tasty recipe! Will surely make it again!
Jacq
So glad you enjoy the vegan beef stew and dumplings. I make it for my family at least once a month 🙂
Biana
This stew looks amazing, and the dumplings are perfect in it! Such a great dinner recipe.
Jacq
Thanks so much! The dumplings are something I dream about when I'm starving!!!
Jill
Those dumplings look fantastic. I had no idea you could make vegan dumplings. Going to try this!
Jacq
Thanks so much! Vegan dumplings are so tasty and a yummy treat 🙂
Irina
Made this stew for our lunch today. It is the best beef stew I have made and tasted. It is worth trying: yummy and delicious!
Jacq
Thanks so much! I'm happy you love the stew 🙂
Beth
This was amazing and so tasty! The flavor was perfect and I love the dumplings added to it! My family loved this stew! I’ll definitely be making this more often!
Jacq
So glad your family enjoyed the stew and dumplings! 🙂
Claudia
totally comforting and delicious the flavors all meld together perfectly
Jacq
Brilliant! So glad you enjoyed the stew and dumplings. I agree this meal is so comforting 🙂