Slow Cooker Poor Man’s Stew
This Slow Cooker Poor Man’s Stew is a simple, filling comfort-food dinner made with ground beef, potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, and a savory broth.
Using ground beef keeps the recipe affordable while still giving the stew plenty of rich flavor. The vegetables slowly become tender, while tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings deepen the broth as everything cooks together.
Slow Cooker Poor Man’s Stew
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced, about 3 cups
- 3 medium carrots, sliced
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 can diced tomatoes with juice, 14.5 ounces
- 1 cup frozen peas, optional
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Thyme, to taste
- Paprika, to taste
- Oregano, to taste
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Directions
1. Brown the ground beef
Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
Add the ground beef and cook until fully browned and no pink remains.
Drain off the excess grease.
Browning the beef first adds extra depth and savory flavor to the finished stew.
2. Load the slow cooker
Add the diced potatoes, sliced carrots, chopped onion, and minced garlic to the slow cooker.
Place the browned ground beef over the vegetables.
Add the diced tomatoes with their juice, tomato paste, and beef broth.
3. Add the seasonings
Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, thyme, paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper.
Mix gently until the tomato paste is evenly distributed through the broth.
4. Slow cook
Cover and cook on:
- LOW for 7 to 8 hours, or
- HIGH for 4 to 5 hours
The stew is ready when the potatoes and carrots are fork-tender.
5. Add the peas
If using frozen peas, stir them into the stew during the final 15 minutes of cooking.
This allows them to heat through without becoming overly soft.
6. Serve
Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
Ladle the stew into bowls and serve hot with crusty bread, biscuits, or dinner rolls.
Hearty, simple, and economical, this slow-cooker stew is an easy way to turn basic ingredients into a warm and satisfying family meal.
