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Easy Slow Cooker Poor Man’s Stew Recipe

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A hearty, budget-friendly stew made with ground beef, potatoes, carrots, and simple pantry staples, all cooked low and slow in a slow cooker. Perfect for busy weeknights when you need a comforting meal without the fuss.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 works best)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
  • 4 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, diced into 1-inch cubes (about 4 cups)
  • 3 large carrots, peeled and sliced into rounds (about 1.5 cups)
  • 2 celery stalks, sliced (about 1 cup)
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained (fire-roasted preferred)
  • 4 cups beef broth (low-sodium)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 cup frozen peas (optional)
  • 1 cup frozen corn (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary (optional)
  • Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Brown the ground beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned, about 6-8 minutes. Drain off excess fat, leaving about a tablespoon for flavor.
  2. Sauté the aromatics: Add the diced onion to the skillet with the beef and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Deglaze the pan: Pour about half a cup of the beef broth into the hot skillet and scrape up all the browned bits from the bottom.
  4. Layer the slow cooker: Place the diced potatoes and carrots on the bottom of the slow cooker. Add the celery on top.
  5. Add the meat mixture: Spoon the browned beef and onions over the vegetables.
  6. Pour in the liquids: Add the diced tomatoes (with their juices), the remaining beef broth, and the tomato paste. Stir gently to combine.
  7. Season: Add the bay leaf, thyme, smoked paprika, and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Stir gently.
  8. Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or on HIGH for 4-5 hours.
  9. Check for doneness: The stew is ready when the potatoes are fork-tender and the broth has thickened slightly. If too thin, mix 2 tablespoons cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water and stir in during the last 30 minutes.
  10. Finish and serve: Remove the bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning. If adding frozen peas or corn, stir them in and let heat through for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Brown the beef properly for best flavor. Don’t lift the lid too often during cooking. For a thicker stew, use a cornstarch slurry. Leftovers taste even better the next day. Freezes well for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker stew, ground beef stew, poor man's stew, budget-friendly dinner, easy stew recipe, comfort food, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://twirltaste.com/easy-slow-cooker-poor-mans-stew-recipe/