Gordon Ramsay’s Beef Stew And Dumplings Recipe [+Tips & Tricks]

Because it’s a masterclass in hearty, home-style cooking-combining slow-cooked, melt-in-your-mouth beef with golden, fluffy dumplings, all brought to life with Gordon Ramsay’s signature bold flavors and no-nonsense technique.

What Is Gordon Ramsay’s Beef Stew And Dumplings

Gordon Ramsay’s Beef Stew and Dumplings is a luxurious yet rustic British dish that elevates humble ingredients into a soul-satisfying meal. It’s built around slow-cooked beef chuck that becomes tender and rich as it simmers in a deeply savory gravy made from red wine, aromatic vegetables, and fresh herbs.

What sets it apart?

The dumplings-light, slightly crisp on the outside, fluffy inside-steamed right atop the stew, soaking up all the goodness while offering a satisfying contrast in texture. It’s comfort food done with finesse and finesse done with flavor.

Gordon Ramsay’s Beef Stew And Dumplings Recipe

Ingredients Needed

For the Beef Stew:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 lbs (900g) stewing beef (like chuck), cut into 1.5-inch chunks
• 2 tbsp flour (seasoned with salt and pepper)
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp tomato purée
• 1 cup (250ml) red wine (a bold variety like Cabernet Sauvignon)
• 2 cups (500ml) beef stock
• 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 sprig fresh rosemary
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

For the Dumplings:

• 1 ½ cups (200g) self-raising flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 100g shredded beef suet (or cold grated butter)
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• Pinch of salt
• Cold water, as needed (approx. 100ml)

Equipment Needed

• Large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven (with lid)
• Mixing bowls
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Sharp knife and cutting board
• Ladle
• Tongs or slotted spoon
• Measuring cups and spoons

Optional but helpful:

• Oven (for baking the dumplings on top if you want extra browning)
• Slow cooker (if adapting to long, gentle cooking over the day)

How To Make Gordon Ramsay’s Beef Stew And Dumplings?

1. Prepare the Meat:

   Lightly toss beef chunks in seasoned flour. Heat olive oil in your pot over medium-high heat and brown the beef in batches to get a golden crust. Set aside.

2. Build the Base:

   In the same pot, add a touch more oil if needed and sauté the onion, carrots, and celery until softened-about 8 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.

3. Intensify the Flavor:

   Stir in the tomato purée and cook for a couple of minutes to remove any bitterness. Deglaze the pot with red wine, scraping up the fond from the bottom-this is pure flavor!

4. Combine and Simmer:

   Return the beef to the pot. Add beef stock, Worcestershire sauce, rosemary, thyme, and bay leaf.

   Bring to a simmer, then cover and cook over low heat for 2 to 2.5 hours, stirring occasionally.

5. Make the Dumplings:

   While the stew simmers, combine flour, baking powder, suet (or butter), chopped parsley, and a pinch of salt. Gradually add cold water until the dough comes together-soft but not sticky. Roll into 8-10 small balls.

6. Add the Dumplings:

   After 2 hours of cooking, remove the stew lid and drop the dumplings on top, spacing them evenly. Replace the lid and cook for another 20-25 minutes, until the dumplings puff up and are cooked through.

Optional Finish:

For a golden top, pop the pot (lid off) into a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 10-15 minutes.

1. Serve:

   Ladle generous portions into deep bowls-each bite brimming with tender beef, silky gravy, and a soft, fluffy dumpling.

Expert Tips

• Brown in Batches: Don’t overcrowd the pot when browning beef. Give each piece room to sear-this adds deep umami.
• Wine Wisdom: Choose a wine you’d actually drink. Ramsay often emphasizes using quality ingredients-even in stews.
• Stock Matters: Homemade or good-quality store-bought beef stock will make a world of difference.
• Herb Hack: Tie herbs in a bundle (bouquet garni) for easy removal after cooking.
• Dumpling Texture: For extra indulgence, mix grated cheddar into the dumplings before shaping.
• Let It Rest: After cooking, let the stew sit for 10 minutes off the heat to deepen the flavor and allow the sauce to thicken slightly.

Gordon Ramsay’s Beef Stew and Dumplings is more than just dinner-it’s a heartwarming experience. It marries slow-cooked comfort with refined culinary technique, turning basic ingredients into a masterpiece of texture, aroma, and taste.

Whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or just yourself on a chilly evening, this dish brings warmth, satisfaction, and a sense of rustic luxury to the table. One spoonful and you’ll understand why Ramsay’s take on this British classic is simply unforgettable.

Easy Recipe Variations For Gordon Ramsay’s Beef Stew And Dumplings

Gordon Ramsay’s beef stew is the gold standard of rustic comfort, with deeply savory, wine-infused gravy and meltingly tender chunks of beef. But one of the joys of stew is its versatility-there are endless ways to make it your own while staying true to the core flavors. Let’s stir in some culinary creativity:

1. Mushroom Medley Twist
   Replace a portion of the beef with a mix of wild mushrooms-shiitake, cremini, and oyster mushrooms work beautifully. This earthy variation is rich in umami and makes the stew feel lighter while keeping that deep flavor profile.

2. Guinness or Ale Infusion
   Swap out the red wine for a dark stout like Guinness or a rich ale. This gives the gravy a robust, malty depth and an unmistakably British pub-style heartiness. Just let the alcohol simmer out to mellow the bitterness.

3. Root Vegetable Revival
   Beyond the standard carrots and onions, consider adding parsnips, swede (rutabaga), turnips, or even a few cubes of butternut squash. These root veggies caramelize as they cook, adding a natural sweetness that balances the richness.

4. Spiced Mediterranean Take
   Add a hint of North African influence by incorporating cinnamon sticks, ground coriander, and a dash of cumin to the braising liquid. Toss in olives and preserved lemon for a bold, tangy finish.

5. Herbaceous Dumplings
   Instead of plain suet dumplings, infuse them with fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, and chopped parsley. You can even stir in a little grated mature cheddar for cheesy dumpling goodness that melts into the stew.

Best Practices To Store Leftovers

Stew only gets better with time, as the flavors continue to develop and marry. But proper storage is key to keeping it safe and delicious.

1. Cool Down Properly
   Let the stew cool to room temperature before refrigerating. To speed things up, spread it out in a shallow dish or rest the pot in a sink of ice water. Avoid leaving it out for more than 2 hours.

2. Refrigeration
   Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Beef stew will stay good for 3-4 days. Dumplings may go a bit soggy over time, so consider storing them separately if texture matters to you.

3. Freezing
   Beef stew freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Allow it to thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. If you’re planning to freeze from the get-go, hold off on the dumplings-they’re best made fresh.

4. Reheating Like a Pro
   Reheat gently over low heat on the stove, stirring occasionally. You can also microwave individual portions, but cover them to prevent drying out. If the stew thickens too much, add a splash of beef stock or water.

What Goes Well With Beef Stew And Dumplings?

This dish is a hearty centerpiece, but thoughtful accompaniments can elevate the experience from comforting to unforgettable.

1. Wine Pairings
   A full-bodied red wine is a classic choice-think Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah/Shiraz, or Malbec. If you used Guinness or ale in the recipe, serve the same beer alongside for a thematic pairing.

2. Crusty Bread or Soda Bread
   While dumplings provide a starchy side, a slice of warm, buttered crusty bread is perfect for mopping up gravy. Irish soda bread is an especially delightful nod to tradition.

3. Green Vegetables
   To add color and freshness, serve the stew with sautéed greens like kale, green beans, or Brussels sprouts. Their bitterness balances the richness of the stew beautifully.

4. Pickled or Sharp Condiments
   Consider a dollop of horseradish cream, pickled red onions, or even a spoonful of chutney to cut through the hearty flavors and add zing to each bite.

Conclusion

Gordon Ramsay’s Beef Stew and Dumplings is more than just a meal-it’s a story of slow-simmered patience, deep flavors, and soul-warming comfort. With a few thoughtful twists, it becomes a dish that adapts to your taste, your season, or your mood. Whether you’re ladling it over a chilly winter evening or saving the leftovers for a midweek miracle, this dish never fails to deliver.

So next time you find yourself craving something deeply satisfying, don’t just make dinner-craft a moment. Pour a glass, light a candle, and enjoy the kind of stew that brings people back to the table, again and again.

FAQs

What Ingredients Are Needed For Gordon Ramsay’s Beef Stew And Dumplings Recipe?

For Gordon Ramsay’s beef stew and dumplings, you’ll need beef chuck, carrots, onions, celery, garlic, red wine, beef stock, tomato paste, fresh thyme, and bay leaves for the stew. For the dumplings, you will need flour, suet, baking powder, and salt. Ramsay also recommends adding some parsley and horseradish for extra flavor.

How Do You Prepare The Beef For Gordon Ramsay’s Beef Stew And Dumplings?

For the beef, start by cutting it into large chunks, about 2 inches in size. Brown the beef in batches to ensure a nice sear on all sides, which adds depth of flavor. After browning, set the beef aside to be added to the stew later.

How Long Does It Take To Cook Gordon Ramsay’s Beef Stew And Dumplings?

The beef stew itself takes about 2.5 to 3 hours to cook, with the first 2 hours spent simmering the stew and the dumplings being added about 30 minutes before the end to cook. This gives the dumplings enough time to puff up and absorb the flavors.

Can I Make Gordon Ramsay’s Beef Stew And Dumplings In Advance?

Yes, you can make the stew in advance. In fact, the flavors will deepen and improve if left to sit overnight in the fridge.

Reheat the stew gently before adding the dumplings and cooking them. You can also freeze the stew for up to 3 months, though it’s best to freeze the stew and dumplings separately.

How Do You Make The Dumplings For Gordon Ramsay’s Beef Stew And Dumplings?

To make the dumplings, mix flour, suet, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Add a bit of water to form a dough.

Then, roll the dough into small balls, about the size of a golf ball, and drop them into the simmering stew 30 minutes before it’s finished cooking. Let them cook uncovered for the dumplings to steam and puff up.

Can I Use A Different Cut Of Beef For The Stew?

While Gordon Ramsay recommends using beef chuck for its tenderness and flavor when cooked slowly, you can substitute with other cuts like brisket or round. However, these cuts may not be as tender or flavorful as chuck after long cooking times.

What Is The Best Way To Thicken The Beef Stew In Gordon Ramsay’s Recipe?

To thicken the stew, you can either allow it to simmer longer, letting the liquid reduce naturally, or use a thickening agent like a slurry of cornstarch and water. Another option is to mash some of the vegetables in the stew to create a thicker consistency.

Can I Add Vegetables Other Than The Ones Listed In Gordon Ramsay’s Beef Stew Recipe?

Yes, feel free to add extra vegetables like parsnips, potatoes, or mushrooms, depending on your preferences. Just make sure to chop them into similar sizes so they cook evenly and complement the other ingredients in the stew.

Is Gordon Ramsay’s Beef Stew And Dumplings Recipe Suitable For Freezing?

Yes, Gordon Ramsay’s beef stew without the dumplings can be frozen for up to 3 months. However, it’s best to freeze the stew and dumplings separately, as the dumplings may become soggy when reheated. Simply cook the dumplings fresh when reheating the stew.

Can I Use A Slow Cooker For Gordon Ramsay’s Beef Stew And Dumplings?

Yes, you can adapt Gordon Ramsay’s beef stew recipe for a slow cooker. Brown the beef and prepare the vegetables as directed, then transfer everything into the slow cooker along with the wine and stock.

Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Add the dumplings 30 minutes before serving.