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