Poor Man’s Stew

This poor man’s stew recipe has the best flavor and comes out of your slow cooker hearty enough to satisfy even the biggest appetite.

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Table of Contents

Poor Man’s Stew Ingredients
Substitutions And Additions
How To Make This Poor Man’s Stew Recipe
How To Serve
Storage
Why We Love This Recipe
Frequently Asked Questions
More Recipes You’ll Love
JUMP TO RECIPE
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If you’re looking for easy and affordable comfort food, look no further than poor man’s stew. This dish has a delicious flavor that results from simmering the beef, veggies, and seasonings in the slow cooker, making it the perfect choice for a cozy night.

Poor Man’s Stew Ingredients

Poor Man’s Stew raw ingredients that are labeled

The flavorsome recipe is filled with nourishing ingredients such as beef, vegetables, and seasonings that create a complex and satisfying taste.

All the components are cooked together, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. The end result is a warm and comforting dish that will leave you feeling full and happy.

You’ll need:

1 pound of ground beef (I used 80/20% blend)
4 tablespoons of tomato paste
4 cups of russet potatoes, large diced
2 cups of carrots, large diced
1 cup of sweet yellow onion (also known as a Vidalia onion), large diced
2 cups of low-sodium beef broth
14.5-ounce can of diced tomatoes with roasted garlic and onions
1 packet (from a 1.8-ounce box) of Lipton Beefy Onion soup mix
2 tablespoons of dried parsley flakes
½ teaspoon of salt
¼ teaspoon of black pepper
Chopped fresh parsley, optional garnish

Substitutions And Additions

POTATOES: I will sometimes make this stew using a bag of petite golden potatoes that are already pre-washed, making it an even quicker meal. If the potatoes are too big, I will cut them in half. You can also substitute Yukon gold potatoes in place of the russet potatoes in this recipe.

CARROTS: I often buy a small bag of mini carrots (often called snack carrots or baby carrots) as a fuss-free option. If you do use these quick alternatives (for the potatoes and carrots), you will need to check your stew for doneness at the 3-hour mark and go from there.

TOMATOES: If you do not have a can of diced tomatoes with roasted garlic and onions, you can substitute a can of standard petite diced tomatoes and add a tablespoon of minced garlic to the recipe. I love using cans of diced tomatoes with the extra garlic, onions, or pepper because you get a great boost of flavor without having to buy extra ingredients.

BROTH: I like using low-sodium broths in my slow-cooker recipes because the flavors really intensify as they cook, and you want to control the salt you add to your recipe. You can always use a standard beef broth, but I would suggest tasting it and only adding additional salt to your recipe if needed. You will also need to remember that the packet of Lipton Beefy Onion soup mix has salt added to it as well.

GROUND MEAT: Any ground meat that you have on hand would be delicious in this hearty stew. Try making it with ground turkey, pork, or chicken as an alternative.

MEAT: For extra flavor, consider adding cooked and crumbled bacon to the stew. To add a layer of smokiness, consider incorporating diced smoked sausage or kielbasa along with the potatoes.

SPICE: To introduce some heat, add a diced jalapeño or red pepper flakes to the stew.

How To Make This Poor Man’s Stew Recipe

Once you brown the ground beef, you will combine the ingredients in the slow cooker and let it do all the work. You will be rewarded with delicious aromas of the stew cooking away at dinner time.

STEP ONE: In a medium skillet on medium-high heat, brown ground beef for 3 to 5 minutes or until no pink remains. Drain the excess grease and add the cooked ground beef to the insert of your slow cooker.

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

Ground beef can be cooked ahead of time and stored in the fridge or freezer. This would save even more time in putting together this recipe.

STEP TWO: Add the tomato paste to the slow cooker and stir it into the warm ground beef. This helps to ensure that the tomato paste does not stay in a lump while slow cooking.

tomato paste added to the slow cooker and stirred into the ground beef

STEP THREE: Add the diced russet potatoes, diced carrots, and diced sweet yellow onions.

STEP FOUR: In a medium bowl, stir together the low-sodium beef broth, diced tomatoes, the contents from the packet of Lipton Beefy Onion soup mix, dried parsley flakes, salt, and black pepper.

STEP FIVE: Pour the sauce over the top of all the vegetables and ground beef in the slow cooker. Give the stew ingredients a gentle stir, cover with the lid, and cook on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours or until the potatoes and carrots are tender.

PRO TIP:

You can also cook the stew on LOW heat in the slow cooker for 6 to 7 hours.

sauce poured over the top of the vegetables

STEP SIX: Remove the lid to the slow cooker for the last 30 minutes of cook time to allow some of the liquids to evaporate and slightly thicken the stew.

STEP SEVEN: You can garnish each serving with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley.

PRO TIP:

If you’re not ready to eat, you can leave the crockpot on warm for a little longer if needed.

How To Serve

Serve this delicious stew on a cold winter night when you are looking for a hearty meal. Add dinner rolls, cornbread, or crusty bread on the side to mop up all the rich sauce. The whole family will be back for seconds once they get a taste of this appetizing stew.

Balance the richness of the stew by serving it alongside a fresh green salad. Opt for a simple salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, and a tangy vinaigrette dressing.

For a comforting twist, sprinkle some shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese on top of each serving. Let it melt slightly into the stew, creating a cheesy and gooey delight.

To make the stew even heartier, serve it over a bed of fluffy white rice or creamy mashed potatoes. The starch provides a satisfying base that complements the flavors of the stew.

Our crockpot beef stew and Hungarian goulash are two more easy stew recipes that will warm you up on a chilly day.

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Storage

Storing the poor man’s stew properly is essential to maintain its flavor and quality. Here’s a guide on how to store it:

MAKE AHEAD: If you want to save time on busy days, you can prepare the stew ahead of time. Follow the recipe instructions, allow the stew to cool completely, and then transfer it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When ready to serve, reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated through.

IN THE FRIDGE: You can store leftovers of this hearty stew in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days. When reheating, add a splash of beef broth or water to help restore the original consistency.

IN THE FREEZER: Once the stew has cooled completely, you can place it into an airtight container and store it in the freezer for up to 2 months. Allow the stew to thaw completely in the refrigerator before adding it to a saucepan to rewarm on medium-low heat.

close up shot of a spoon grabbing a piece of Poor Man’s Stew

Why We Love This Recipe

The poor man’s stew has captured the hearts and taste buds of many for several reasons. Here are a few reasons why we love this recipe:

BUDGET FRIENDLY: As the name suggests, this stew is an affordable and economical meal option. With simple ingredients like ground beef, potatoes, and carrots, it proves that delicious meals can be made without breaking the bank.

HEARTY AND COMFORTING: The stew’s combination of tender ground beef, flavorful vegetables, and rich broth creates a hearty and comforting dish. It’s like a warm hug on a cold day, providing ultimate comfort and satisfaction.

FREEZER FRIENDLY: The stew can be made in larger batches and frozen for later use. It’s a convenient option for meal prepping or stocking up on ready-to-eat meals for busy days. Having a container of homemade stew in the freezer is like having a comforting meal at your fingertips.

This ground beef stew crockpot recipe may be made using inexpensive ingredients, but it can still boast a lot of flavor. Fill up your slow cooker and leave it to do the hard work of cooking a meal the whole family will enjoy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I freeze leftovers from this delicious recipe?

This recipe freezes well and can be stored for up to two months.

Can I use different vegetables in this recipe?

This hamburger stew is fairly customizable. If there are other veggies you’d like to add to the mix, it will make this stew even tastier.

Can I use ground pork instead of ground beef?

If you would like to use a different ground meat in this slow cooker poor man’s stew, it would be just as delicious.

Can I use sweet potatoes instead of russet potatoes?

Sweet potatoes can be a delicious alternative to russet potatoes in this stew. They will add a touch of sweetness and a vibrant color to the dish.

Can I make this stew in an Instant Pot?

You can adapt the recipe for the Instant Pot. Brown the ground beef using the sauté function, then add the remaining ingredients and pressure cook on high for about 8-10 minutes, followed by a natural release.

Can I make this stew on the stovetop instead of using a slow cooker?

You can adapt the recipe for stovetop cooking. Brown the ground beef in a large pot, add the remaining ingredients, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer until the potatoes and carrots are tender.

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Poor Man’s Stew

5 from 1 vote

This poor man’s stew recipe has the best flavor and comes out of your slow cooker hearty enough to satisfy even the biggest appetite.

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 4

Total Time 4 15

Servings

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Ingredients

1 pound ground beef, I used 80/20% blend
4 tablespoons tomato paste
4 cups russet potatoes, large diced
2 cups carrots, large diced
1 cup sweet yellow onion, also known as a Vidalia onion, large diced
2 cups low-sodium beef broth
14.5 ounces diced tomatoes with roasted garlic and onions
1.8 ounces lipton beefy onion soup mix
2 tablespoons dried parsley flakes
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
Chopped fresh parsley, optional garnish

Instructions

In a medium skillet on medium-high heat, brown the ground beef for 3 to 5 minutes or until no pink remains. Drain the excess grease and add the cooked ground beef to the insert of your slow cooker.
Add tomato paste to the slow cooker and stir it into the warm ground beef. This helps to ensure that the tomato paste does not stay in a lump while slow cooking.
Add the diced russet potatoes, diced carrots, and diced sweet yellow onions.
In a medium bowl, stir together the low-sodium beef broth, diced tomatoes, contents from the packet of Lipton Beefy Onion soup mix, dried parsley flakes, salt, and black pepper.
Pour the sauce over the top of all the vegetables and ground beef in the slow cooker. Give the stew ingredients a gentle stir, cover with the lid and cook on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours or until the potatoes and carrots are tender.
Remove the lid to the slow cooker for the last 30 minutes to allow some of the liquids to evaporate and slightly thicken the stew.
You can garnish each serving with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley.

Notes

Ground beef can be cooked ahead of time and stored in the fridge or freezer. This would save even more time in putting together this recipe.
You can also cook the stew on LOW heat in the slow cooker for 6 to 7 hours.
If you’re not ready to eat, you can leave the crockpot on warm for a little longer if needed.

Nutrition

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This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

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Poor Man’s Stew

Poor Man’s Stew Ingredients

Substitutions And Additions

How To Make This Poor Man’s Stew Recipe

How To Serve