Yes, you can use a slow cooker to make beef and dumpling stew. Full instructions are detailed in the recipe card at the end of this post. Do ensure that the meat is seared before adding to the slow cooker to ensure the best-flavoured stew cooked this way. If you do not own a cast iron dutch oven but still want to make this easy slow-cooked beef stew in the oven use a suitably sized casserole pot with a lid.