Poor man’s stew is the definition of comfort food on a budget. This slow-cooked, one-pot wonder turns basic, affordable ingredients like ground beef, potatoes, carrots, and broth into a rich, flavorful meal the whole family will love. Perfect for busy weeknights or feeding a crowd without breaking the bank, this stew proves that delicious doesn’t have to mean expensive.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- 💰 Budget-friendly and uses pantry staples
- 🥘 Made in the crock pot — minimal hands-on time
- 🥕 Hearty and filling with protein and vegetables
- 🍽️ Great for leftovers or freezing
- 🧄 Customizable with spices or vegetarian swaps
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey for a leaner version)
- 3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes (with juice)
- 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
- 2 cups beef broth (or water)
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp dried thyme (optional)
Instructions
1. Brown the Meat
In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with diced onion until browned and caramelized. Drain any excess fat.
2. Assemble in Crock Pot
Transfer the browned meat and onion to your crock pot. Add diced potatoes, carrots, and celery.
3. Add Liquids and Seasoning
Pour in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and broth. Stir in Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and thyme.
4. Slow Cook
Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours or until vegetables are fork-tender and flavors are well developed.
5. Taste and Serve
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot in deep bowls with crusty bread, rice, or mashed potatoes.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6–8 hours
- Total Time: 6–8 hours 15 minutes
- Servings: 6–7
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American Comfort Food
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
- Calories: 250
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Protein: 15g
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 4g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
- Sodium: 600mg
Tips & Variations
- 🥩 Use lean ground beef (85% or leaner) to avoid greasy stew
- 🥕 Add other veggies like peas or green beans in the last 30 minutes
- 🍄 Make it vegetarian with lentils, mushrooms, or plant-based ground
- 🧂 Go low-sodium by using low-sodium broth and cutting back on added salt
- ❄️ Freezer-friendly: Cool completely, then freeze in airtight portions
Savory & Simple Crock Pot Poor Man’s Stew Recipe
Equipment
- – Large skillet
- – Cutting board
- – Slow cooker (Crock Pot)
- – Wooden spoon
Ingredients
- – 1 lb ground beef
- – 3 medium potatoes peeled and diced
- – 1 small onion diced
- – 3 carrots sliced
- – 2 celery stalks chopped
- – 1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
- – 1 8 oz can tomato sauce
- – 2 cups beef broth
- – 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- – 1 tsp garlic powder
- – 1 tsp onion powder
- – ½ tsp smoked paprika optional
- – ½ tsp salt
- – ¼ tsp black pepper
- – ½ tsp dried thyme optional
Instructions
- Brown ground beef and onions in skillet until cooked. Drain excess fat.
- Transfer to crock pot. Add potatoes, carrots, celery.
- Pour in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and broth.
- Add Worcestershire and spices. Stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on low 6–8 hours.
- Taste, season if needed, and serve hot.
Notes
– Add peas or beans for extra bulk
– Great for freezing and reheating later
FAQs
Q: Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
A: Yes! It’s leaner and works just as well in this recipe.
Q: Can I cook it on high instead of low?
A: You can cook it on high for 3–4 hours, but low-and-slow gives the best texture and flavor.
Q: How long will it keep in the fridge?
A: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Q: Can I freeze poor man’s stew?
A: Absolutely! Freeze in portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and reheat gently with a splash of broth.
Q: What can I serve this with?
A: Crusty bread, biscuits, rice, or mashed potatoes all make great sides.
Conclusion
This poor man’s stew is humble in ingredients but rich in flavor. It’s the kind of meal that reminds you how simple cooking can still be soul-satisfying. With easy prep and affordable ingredients, this slow-cooked classic is perfect for meal prep, busy families, or cozy weeknight dinners.