Hearty Homemade Minced Beef And Dumplings Recipe

Hearty Homemade Minced Beef And Dumplings Recipe To Savor

Comfort flows through every spoonful of this classic minced beef and dumplings dish that captures the essence of home-cooked warmth.

Rich, savory beef simmers gently with tender vegetables and herbs, creating a robust foundation for pillowy dumplings.

Generations have treasured this hearty meal as a staple of rustic cooking.

Each bite promises a delectable blend of soft, fluffy dumplings nestled in a deeply flavorful beef stew.

The recipe melds simple ingredients into a symphonic culinary experience that warms you from the inside out.

Meat lovers will adore the depth of flavor and satisfying texture in this traditional comfort food.

This soul-warming meal stands ready to become your new favorite winter dinner companion.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients For Homemade Minced Beef And Dumplings

For The Base:
  • Onion: Adds sweet, aromatic foundation to the dish's flavor profile.
  • Garlic: Delivers intense, pungent depth and warming undertones.
  • Vegetable Oil: Provides smooth cooking surface and prevents sticking.
For Protein and Vegetables:
  • Minced Beef: Rich, hearty protein that creates substantial, satisfying texture.
  • Carrots: Brings natural sweetness and vibrant orange color to the meal.
  • Frozen Peas: Offers bright, fresh pop of color and subtle green sweetness.
For Liquid and Seasoning Components:
  • Beef Stock: Creates silky, rich liquid base with deep meaty undertones.
  • Tomato Puree: Adds tangy, robust background flavor and helps thicken sauce.
  • Worcestershire Sauce: Introduces complex, umami-rich undertone with slight tanginess.
  • Dried Thyme: Provides earthy, herbal notes that complement beef beautifully.
  • Black Pepper: Delivers subtle heat and aromatic warmth.
  • Salt: Enhances and balances overall flavor profile.
  • Plain Flour: Acts as natural thickening agent for creating luxurious, smooth sauce texture.

Tools To Prepare Minced Beef And Dumplings

  • Large skillet or deep pan: Perfect for cooking ground beef and creating a flavorful sauce.
  • Wooden spoon or spatula: Essential for stirring and breaking up beef while cooking.
  • Measuring spoons: Helps accurately add spices and seasonings.
  • Measuring cups: Crucial for precise stock and ingredient measurements.
  • Sharp knife: Needed for chopping onions, garlic, and carrots.
  • Cutting board: Provides a clean surface for chopping ingredients.

How To Make Minced Beef And Dumplings

  • Fire Up the Flavor Saute onions until they turn translucent and release their sweet aroma. Toss in garlic and let it dance around the pan for a quick moment.
  • Brown the Meat Break up the ground beef in the skillet, letting it sizzle and develop a rich, golden color that promises deep flavor.
  • Build the Base Tumble in carrots and a splash of tomato puree. Let the ingredients mingle and start creating a delicious foundation for your dish.
  • Thicken and Transform Dust the mixture with flour, stirring carefully to create a smooth base that will give your sauce body and richness.
  • Create the Liquid Magic Pour in beef stock slowly, whisking to keep everything silky smooth. Add Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and a sprinkle of seasoning. Let the mixture bubble gently, transforming into a hearty, thick sauce that tells a story of comfort and warmth.
  • Final Touch Stir in peas for a pop of color and freshness, letting them warm through just before serving. The result? A soul-warming meal that feels like a culinary hug.

Tips And Tweaks For Minced Beef And Dumplings

  • Meat Moisture Magic: Pat ground beef dry before cooking to ensure a perfect brown crust and prevent steaming instead of searing.
  • Dumpling Delicacy: Rest dumpling dough for 10-15 minutes before shaping to allow gluten to relax, creating lighter, more tender dumplings.
  • Gluten-Free Twist: Swap wheat flour with gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and use gluten-free stock for a celiac-friendly version of the dish.
  • Veggie Power Boost: Experiment with additional vegetables like mushrooms, celery, or spinach to enhance nutritional value and add extra flavor complexity.
  • Low-Carb Alternative: Replace traditional dumplings with cauliflower dumplings or serve over cauliflower rice for a lower-carbohydrate option that still delivers incredible taste and satisfaction.

Serving Suggestions For Minced Beef And Dumplings

  • Rustic Family Platter: Serve this hearty dish family-style in a large, warm ceramic dish that invites everyone to gather around and enjoy together.
  • Comforting Side Companions: Pair with buttery mashed potatoes, steamed green beans, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious gravy and complete the meal.
  • Fresh Herb Finale: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or chives on top just before serving to add a bright, fresh flavor and beautiful green color that elevates the presentation.
  • Wine Pairing Magic: Complement the rich beef with a medium-bodied red wine like Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon, which will enhance the savory flavors of the dish.

Storage Tips For Minced Beef And Dumplings

  • Quick Cooling Strategy: Let the dish cool to room temperature within two hours to prevent bacterial growth, spreading it onto a wide, shallow dish for faster cooling.
  • Refrigeration Management: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep the container sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent odor absorption.
  • Freezing Wisdom: Transfer leftovers to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Label with the date and contents. Freeze for up to 3 months to maintain optimal taste and texture.
  • Reheating Magic: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Warm gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat, adding a splash of beef stock if the mixture seems dry. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating and prevent sticking.
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Hearty Homemade Minced Beef And Dumplings Recipe

Hearty Homemade Minced Beef And Dumplings Recipe


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4.9 from 30 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Hearty Midwestern homemade minced beef and dumplings showcase classic comfort cuisine with robust flavors. Savory beef stew nestled with tender dumplings offers you a satisfying meal that warms both body and soul.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) minced beef
  • 2 cups (500ml) beef stock
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tbsps tomato puree
  • 2 carrots, peeled and diced
  • 1 tbsp oil or beef dripping
  • 2 tbsps plain flour
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 cup (120g) self-raising flour
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 cup frozen peas or diced swede/parsnip (optional)
  • ½ cup (60g) shredded suet or 3 tbsps cold butter, cubed
  • 45 tbsps cold water
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp dried thyme or parsley (optional)
  • Salt, to taste

Instructions

  1. Aromatics Awakening: Heat oil in a skillet and sauté diced onions until translucent, releasing their delicate sweetness and creating a flavor foundation.
  2. Flavor Layering: Introduce minced garlic, rapidly toasting to amplify its aromatic essence, then seamlessly incorporate ground beef, methodically breaking it into delicate crumbles and achieving an even, caramelized sear.
  3. Vegetable Integration: Merge chopped carrots and tomato puree into the pan, stirring to construct a robust culinary base while allowing vegetables to gently soften and release their inherent flavors.
  4. Thickening Technique: Dust the mixture with flour, thoroughly coating ingredients and whisking continuously to eliminate raw flour notes and establish a velvety smooth consistency.
  5. Liquid Harmony: Gradually stream beef stock into the pan, persistently whisking to prevent lumps and create a silky, well-integrated sauce, then season with Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, black pepper, and salt.
  6. Simmering Transformation: Reduce heat and allow the mixture to gently simmer, enabling liquid reduction and vegetable tenderization while developing a luxuriously rich, hearty texture.
  7. Final Touch: Introduce sweet green peas during the concluding moments of cooking, infusing a vibrant color and additional nutritional dimension to the complete dish.

Notes

  • Control Meat Browning: Ensure ground beef is browned at high heat without overcrowding the pan, creating caramelized edges for deeper flavor complexity.
  • Manage Flour Coating: Dust flour evenly and stir continuously to prevent clumping, eliminating raw flour taste and achieving silky sauce texture.
  • Balance Liquid Reduction: Simmer gently and monitor sauce consistency, allowing gradual reduction that concentrates flavors without drying out the dish.
  • Customize Vegetable Options: Swap or add vegetables like celery, parsnips, or bell peppers to enhance nutritional profile and personalize the recipe’s taste profile.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: British

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 600mg
  • Fat: 25g
  • Saturated Fat: 10g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 35g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 25g
  • Cholesterol: 80mg
John Nicholson

John Nicholson

Lead Writer & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Recipe Testing and Development, Kitchen Hacks and Time-Saving Tips, Flavor Pairing and Ingredient Selection, Engaging Food Writing and Storytelling

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Program: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: A hands-on curriculum emphasizing farm-to-table cooking, local ingredient sourcing, and creative menu development. Students gained real-world restaurant experience, learning both classic techniques and modern approaches to sustainable cooking.

John Nicholson honed his skills at Johnson & Wales University, learning how to use fresh, local ingredients and down-to-earth techniques to make cooking simple and satisfying.

His recipes blend Southern comfort flavors with a modern touch, inviting everyone to cook with ease and confidence.

Living in Charleston, John takes cues from the city’s lively food scene, local markets, and seasonal produce. He’s all about making meals stress-free through easy tips, flavor pairings, and fun experiments in the kitchen

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