One-Pot Ground Beef Stew

Ground beef stew is the cozy, family-style comfort food you’ve been craving—minus the long cook times of traditional stews. Made in just one pot, this weeknight-friendly version features browned ground beef, tender vegetables, and a thick, savory broth that feels like it simmered all day. It’s fast, affordable, and filling—perfect for chilly evenings or when you need a no-fuss dinner that satisfies everyone at the table.

Classic beef stew is a cold-weather staple, but it often requires hours of slow cooking and pricey cuts of meat. This ground beef stew flips the script with everyday ingredients and quicker cook time, while keeping all the rich flavor and warmth you’d expect from a traditional version.

The secret? Using ground beef means no marinating or searing stew meat, and everything simmers together to develop that deep, beefy flavor. You still get chunky potatoes, sweet carrots, savory onions, and a velvety gravy—all ready in about an hour.

Table of Contents

❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Budget-friendly: Ground beef is much more affordable than stew beef.
• Simple pantry staples: No fancy ingredients or specialty tools needed.
• One pot, less mess: Easy cleanup makes this perfect for weeknights.
• Great texture: Soft veggies, tender beef, and a hearty, gravy-style broth.
• Meal-prep friendly: Tastes even better the next day—and it freezes well.

🧂 Ingredients

For the Stew:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb ground beef (80/20 recommended)
• 2 large carrots, chopped (½-inch pieces)
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 1 tbsp garlic, minced
• ½ lb potatoes, cubed (any variety)
• 2 ½ cups beef stock
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried)
• 1 bay leaf

For Thickening:

• 1 packet brown gravy mix
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• ½ cup water

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. Brown the Ground Beef

• In a large Dutch oven or deep saucepan, cook ground beef over medium-high heat until fully browned and crumbly.
• Drain excess fat and transfer meat to a paper towel-lined plate.

2. Sauté the Veggies

• Add olive oil to the same pot.
• Stir in chopped carrots, celery, and onions.
• Cook 8–10 minutes over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the onions are lightly golden and softened.

3. Add Garlic and Herbs

• Stir in garlic, thyme sprigs, and bay leaf.
• Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

4. Build the Stew

• Add cubed potatoes, beef stock, and Worcestershire sauce.
• Return browned beef to the pot. Stir to combine.
• Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer.
• Cover and simmer for 25–30 minutes, or until veggies are fork-tender.

5. Thicken the Stew

• Stir in brown gravy mix.
• In a small bowl, whisk flour and water into a smooth slurry.
• Slowly stir slurry into the simmering stew and cook 5–7 more minutes, until the broth thickens into a gravy.

6. Finish and Serve

• Remove bay leaf and thyme stems.
• Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
• Serve hot with crusty bread or over mashed potatoes.

⏱️ Recipe Details

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 50–60 minutes
• Total Time: ~1 hour 15 minutes
• Servings: 4–6
• Difficulty: Medium

🔍 Nutrition Facts (per serving, approx.)

• Calories: 375–425
• Protein: 20g
• Fat: 18g
• Carbs: 30g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sodium: 700mg

💡 Tips & Variations

• Brown your beef properly: Let it sit and develop a crust before crumbling.
• Swap the meat: Use ground turkey or sausage for a twist.
• Mix up the veggies: Add peas, green beans, or bell peppers.
• Ditch the packet: Use 3 tbsp flour if you don’t have gravy mix—just season to taste.
• Make it a stew-over-rice: Serve leftovers over rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes.

❓ FAQs

Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! It stores beautifully and even tastes better after a day in the fridge.

Can I freeze this stew?
Absolutely. Cool completely, portion, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.

Can I use a slow cooker instead?
Yes—brown the beef first, then transfer all ingredients to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 6–7 hours.

How do I make it gluten-free?
Use a gluten-free gravy mix and substitute cornstarch for flour.

🏁 Conclusion

This one-pot ground beef stew is the definition of simple comfort food: hearty, rich, and guaranteed to warm you up from the inside out. It’s easy enough for a Tuesday night but satisfying enough to serve guests. Once you try it, you’ll want to make it again and again—especially when the weather cools down.