I have a new take on Beef Stew With Ground Beef that never disappoints. I combine ground beef with diced yellow onion, minced garlic, chopped carrots and cubed potatoes simmered in beef broth with tomatoes and Worcestershire sauce. It is a delightful and budget friendly dish perfect for any weeknight meal.

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I’ve been experimenting with simple meals lately and wanted to share my take on a Crock Pot Poor Man’s Stew. This recipe is a total winner when you’re short on time but still want something tasty and filling.

I start off with ground beef, diced yellow onions, and minced garlic that all come together in my crock pot as the base. Then, I toss in chopped carrots, celery, and cubed potatoes, along with a can of diced tomatoes and a little beef broth to create a flavorful broth.

Throw in some Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, salt and pepper and let it all meld. I love how it turns into a hearty, budget friendly dish that reminds me of a classic ground beef pot roast or fall stew recipe.

It might not be fancy but its simplicity makes it a solid weeknight meal that keeps everyone coming back for more.

Why I Like this Recipe

I like this recipe because it’s super easy to make even on crazy busy nights. I don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen and it comes together with pretty much everything prepped in the right time. I also love that it’s really budget friendly so I can whip it up without stressing about money. Another thing is that its packed with veggies and all those meaty flavors that make it taste hearty and delicious. Lastly, it just makes me feel cozy and satisfied every time I have it, like i’m really treating myself to a comforting meal.

Ingredients

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Ground beef delivers protein, hearty flavor and richness, adding a satisfying savory bite.
Carrots add natural sweetness, essential vitamins and vibrant color making the stew more appealing.
Potatoes bring a soft texture, lots of carbohydrates for lasting energy and a filling meal.
Diced tomatoes contribute tanginess, moisture and antioxidants that boost both flavor and nutrition.

Ingredient Quantities

1 lb ground beef

1 medium yellow onion, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

3 carrots, peeled and chopped

2 celery stalks, sliced

3 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed

1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juice

2 cups beef broth

1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp dried thyme

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp ground black pepper

Optional: 1 bay leaf

How to Make this

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1. Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until its no longer pink. Drain excess grease if needed.

2. Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the pan, cook for about 2 minutes until they start to soften.

3. Transfer the beef, onions, and garlic to your crock pot.

4. Add the chopped carrots, sliced celery, and cubed potatoes into the crock pot.

5. Pour in the can of diced tomatoes with its juice and 2 cups of beef broth.

6. Stir in 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp ground black pepper.

7. If you like, toss in the bay leaf for extra flavor.

8. Mix everything together well so that the flavors combine nicely.

9. Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours, or on high for about 4 hours, until the vegetables are tender.

10. Give it a good stir, remove the bay leaf, and serve hot. Enjoy your meal!

Equipment Needed

1. Large skillet for browning the beef
2. Crock pot for the slow cook
3. Sharp knife for chopping the onion, carrots, celery, and potatoes
4. Cutting board for prepping the veggies
5. Measuring spoons and measuring cup for the broth, Worcestershire sauce, and spices
6. Wooden spoon or spatula for stirring
7. Can opener for the diced tomatoes with juice

FAQ

Q: Can I swap out the ground beef for something else?

A: Yeah, you can use ground turkey or even pork if you want, but keep in mind the flavor might change a bit.

Q: How long should I cook this in my crock pot?

A: The stew usually takes about 7-8 hours on low or 4-5 hours on high. Check your slow cooker to see what works best for you.

Q: Do I have to peel the potatoes?

A: Not really, you can leave the skin on if you're okay with a more rustic look, just give them a good wash first.

Q: Can I add other veggies?

A: Sure, you could add things like peas or green beans in the last hour of cooking for extra color and texture.

Q: What should I do if my stew seems too thick?

A: If it appears too thick, you can add a bit more beef broth or water to get the consistency you dig.

Crock Pot Poor Man’s Stew Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Ground beef: You could try ground turkey or pork if you dont have beef, but it might change the flavor a bit.
Yellow onion: Red onions or even shallots work well as a substitute if you want a slightly sweeter taste.
Carrots: If carrots are missing, parsnips or turnips can do the trick and still give you that earthy texture.
Beef broth: Chicken broth or a veggie stock can stand in, though the stew will have a lighter taste.
Worcestershire sauce: A combo of soy sauce with a splash of vinegar and a pinch of sugar can mimic its tangy flavor.

Pro Tips

1. Try browning the beef real good and let it get a little crispy on the edges before draining the grease. It makes the flavors richer and really adds depth to the dish.

2. Make sure the veggies are chopped into about the same size pieces so that they cook evenly. When some pieces are too big, they might not soften as nicely as the others.

3. If you’ve got a chance, toss in a little extra herbs like chopped fresh parsley near the end. It gives the stew a fresher taste that can brighten up the hearty flavors.

4. Let the stew sit for a few minutes after you turn it off. This helps all the flavors mix together more, so every bite tastes better even if it isn’t perfect every time.

Crock Pot Poor Man's Stew Recipe

Recipe by Bob Jones

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

servings

Calories

300

kcal

Equipment: 1. Large skillet for browning the beef
2. Crock pot for the slow cook
3. Sharp knife for chopping the onion, carrots, celery, and potatoes
4. Cutting board for prepping the veggies
5. Measuring spoons and measuring cup for the broth, Worcestershire sauce, and spices
6. Wooden spoon or spatula for stirring
7. Can opener for the diced tomatoes with juice

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
1 medium yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 carrots, peeled and chopped
2 celery stalks, sliced
3 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juice
2 cups beef broth
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
Optional: 1 bay leaf

Directions

Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until its no longer pink. Drain excess grease if needed.
Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the pan, cook for about 2 minutes until they start to soften.
Transfer the beef, onions, and garlic to your crock pot.
Add the chopped carrots, sliced celery, and cubed potatoes into the crock pot.
Pour in the can of diced tomatoes with its juice and 2 cups of beef broth.
Stir in 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp ground black pepper.
If you like, toss in the bay leaf for extra flavor.
Mix everything together well so that the flavors combine nicely.
Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours, or on high for about 4 hours, until the vegetables are tender.
Give it a good stir, remove the bay leaf, and serve hot. Enjoy your meal!

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.