If you’re looking for a comforting, hearty meal that practically cooks itself, you’re going to love this Crock Pot Poor Man’s Stew Recipe. It’s a simple, no-fuss dish that fills your kitchen with the smell of home and turns out tender, flavorful stew every time. Plus, it’s perfect when you need something warm and filling on a busy day or when you want to feed a crowd without spending hours in the kitchen.

What I adore about this Crock Pot Poor Man’s Stew Recipe is how budget-friendly it is without skimping on taste. The ingredients are humble, but together they create a satisfying, savory meal that feels like a big hug after a long day. If you’ve never tried a slow cooker stew like this, you’re in for a treat—and I promise you’ll wonder why it’s taken this long to add it to your recipe rotation.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Crock Pot Poor Man’s Stew Recipe plays its part to deliver flavor, texture, and heartiness to the pot. These are staples you can find in any grocery store, and I love choosing fresh produce to make it as vibrant as possible.

Ground beef: I prefer lean ground beef; it’s flavorful without too much fat, and it blends well with the veggies.
Potatoes: Use starchy potatoes like Russets or Yukon Golds for that melt-in-your-mouth softness after slow cooking.
Carrots: Fresh carrots bring natural sweetness that beautifully balances the savory beef.
Onion: Yellow or white onions work great here, adding depth and aroma.
Garlic: Fresh minced garlic always makes a difference—skip the powdered stuff if you can!
Beef broth: I recommend low sodium so you can control the saltiness as the stew cooks.
Diced tomatoes: Canned diced tomatoes add a subtle acidity that brightens the entire stew.
Green beans: I use canned green beans for convenience, but fresh or frozen works too if you prefer.
Salt and pepper: Essential seasonings to bring out the flavors of everything in the pot.
Dried thyme: A little herbal note that compliments the beef wonderfully.
Paprika: Adds a gentle smoky warmth—don’t skip it!

Variations

One of the best things about this Crock Pot Poor Man’s Stew Recipe is how easily you can tweak it to suit your tastes or pantry supplies. I like to mix things up depending on the season or what I have on hand, and it always turns out great.

Vegetarian version: Swap the ground beef for hearty mushrooms and add extra beans or lentils—trust me, it’s just as satisfying.
Spicier twist: Add a pinch of cayenne or a dash of hot sauce if you like a little heat.
Seasonal veggies: Feel free to add celery, peas, or even corn for some extra texture and color.
Different protein: I’ve tried this with ground turkey or chicken, and it works beautifully if you want a lighter option.

How to Make Crock Pot Poor Man’s Stew Recipe

Step 1: Brown the beef for extra flavor

Start by browning the ground beef in a skillet just until it’s no longer pink. This step adds a richer flavor and helps render some fat that melds into the stew. Drain any excess grease to keep it from becoming too oily. This little bit of effort upfront really pays off in the final taste.

Step 2: Prep and layer the veggies in the crock pot

Dice the potatoes, slice the carrots, chop the onion, and mince the garlic. Add all these into your slow cooker, layering the potatoes and carrots on the bottom—they need the most cooking time. Sprinkle the dried thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper evenly over the top to spread the seasoning nicely.

Step 3: Add liquids and cook low and slow

Pour in the beef broth and canned diced tomatoes—don’t drain the tomatoes, since their juice adds flavor and keeps the stew nice and moist. Stir gently just to combine everything, then cover and cook on low for about 7-8 hours. I find this low, slow cook lets all those flavors deepen perfectly without mushy veggies.

Step 4: Stir in green beans near the end

About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the canned green beans. Since they’re already cooked, this prevents them from becoming too soft or disintegrating. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed—you might want a pinch more salt or pepper depending on your broth choice.

How to Serve Crock Pot Poor Man’s Stew Recipe

Crock Pot Poor Man's Stew Recipe - Recipe Image

Garnishes

I love topping this stew with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or chopped green onions for a pop of freshness. Sometimes I add a dollop of sour cream or a little shredded cheddar for creaminess. It’s those finishing touches that really make it feel special on the plate.

Side Dishes

This stew is a meal on its own, but if you want to round it out, crusty bread or buttered dinner rolls are my go-to sides. They’re perfect for dipping into the rich broth and soaking up all those flavors. A simple side salad can add some brightness and balance on the plate, too.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, I’ve served this Crock Pot Poor Man’s Stew Recipe in individual bread bowls—that always impresses guests and makes the meal feel cozy and fun. You can also ladle it over creamy mashed potatoes for a twist that satisfies like a warm hug on a plate.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge, and the stew keeps wonderfully for about 3-4 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, so sometimes it tastes even better the next day. Just make sure to cool it to room temperature before refrigerating to keep it fresh.

Freezing

This Crock Pot Poor Man’s Stew Recipe freezes beautifully—I portion it out into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. It’s my go-to for meal prep because when you thaw it, the stew is just as tasty and comforting as fresh. Just be sure to label your containers with the date.

Reheating

When reheating, I prefer to warm the stew gently in a pot over low heat with a splash of broth or water to loosen it up. If you’re in a hurry, the microwave works too—just stir every minute or so to heat evenly. Avoid high heat to prevent the potatoes from turning mushy.

FAQs

Can I use frozen vegetables in this Crock Pot Poor Man’s Stew Recipe?

Absolutely! Frozen veggies like carrots, potatoes, or green beans can work well if fresh aren’t available. Just add them according to their usual cooking times—potatoes and carrots at the beginning, and quicker-cooking veggies like green beans toward the end.
Is it necessary to brown the ground beef first?

Browning the beef adds deeper flavor and better texture, but if you’re in a hurry, you can add it raw. Just know the flavor won’t be as rich, and there may be more fat or liquid released into your stew.
How thick should the stew be?

This stew should be brothy but hearty, not too runny or too thick. If it feels too thin after cooking, you can stir in a slurry made from cornstarch and water and cook for a few more minutes to thicken it up nicely.
Can I make this recipe in an Instant Pot instead of a crock pot?

You can! Brown the beef using the “Sauté” function first, then add the rest of the ingredients and cook on “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” for about 20-25 minutes. Release the pressure naturally for best results.

Final Thoughts

This Crock Pot Poor Man’s Stew Recipe holds a soft spot in my heart—it’s the kind of meal that makes you feel cared for without needing fancy ingredients or complicated prep. It’s my go-to comfort food on chilly days and a reminder that simple, slow-cooked meals can bring big smiles to the table. I hope you give it a try and find as much joy in it as I do. Trust me, once you make it, it’ll become a staple in your recipe box, just like it has in mine.

Crock Pot Poor Man’s Stew Recipe

★★★★★ 4.6 from 100 reviews

Author: Isabella
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours (low) or 3 hours (high)
Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes (low) or 3 hours 15 minutes (high)
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Category: Stew
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: American

Print Recipe

Description

This Crock Pot Poor Man’s Stew is a hearty and comforting one-pot meal made with ground beef, potatoes, carrots, and green beans simmered slowly in a flavorful beef broth with tomatoes and aromatic spices. Perfect for an easy, filling dinner with minimal preparation and maximum taste.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat

1 lb ground beef

Vegetables

4 medium potatoes, diced
3 large carrots, sliced
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz)
1 can green beans (14.5 oz)

Liquids & Broth

4 cups beef broth

Seasonings

Salt and pepper to taste
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon paprika

Instructions

Prepare Ingredients: Dice the potatoes, slice the carrots, chop the onion, and mince the garlic to have all your vegetables ready for the stew.
Brown the Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked and no longer pink, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks. Drain off any excess fat.
Combine in Crock Pot: Add the browned beef to the crock pot along with the diced potatoes, sliced carrots, chopped onion, minced garlic, canned diced tomatoes with juice, canned green beans with liquid, and beef broth.
Season the Stew: Sprinkle salt, pepper, dried thyme, and paprika over the ingredients in the crock pot. Stir gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
Cook Low and Slow: Cover the crock pot and cook on low heat for 6 to 8 hours, or on high heat for 3 to 4 hours, until the vegetables are tender and flavors have melded together.
Serve: Check seasoning and adjust salt and pepper if necessary. Serve the stew hot, perfect on its own or with a slice of crusty bread.

Notes

You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
For thicker stew, mash some of the potatoes or use less broth.
Adding a bay leaf during cooking adds extra depth of flavor – just remember to remove before serving.
If you prefer fresh green beans, add them during the last hour of cooking to keep them crisp.

Keywords: crock pot stew, poor man’s stew, ground beef stew, slow cooker stew, easy beef stew