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CrockPot Poor Man’s Stew (aka Hamburger Stew)

CrockPot Poor Man’s Stew (aka Hamburger Stew)

CrockPot Poor Man’s Stew is an easy, budget-friendly family favorite made with simple ingredients.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 5 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 303 kcal

Equipment

  • slow cooker

Ingredients
  

Cooking Oil and Meat

  • 2 tablespoons cooking oil
  • 1 medium onion sliced into chunks
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 pound ground beef

Liquid and Seasonings

  • 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes canned
  • 4 cups beef stock can sub chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon cracked pepper
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning

Vegetables

  • 2 medium potatoes peeled and diced large
  • 2 medium carrots roughly chopped
  • 2 stalks celery diced
  • 1 cup frozen peas (add these at the end of cooking time)

For Thickening

  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Instructions
 

Prep the Meat and Veggies

  • Peel and chop the potatoes, carrots, onions and celery. Mince the garlic.
  • Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat and sauté the onion until softened.
  • Add the garlic and cook 30 more seconds.
  • Add the ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.

Mix Together the Liquid and Seasonings

  • In a large bowl, mix together the tomatoes stock, onion powder, garlic powder and Italian seasoning (can sub dried thyme).

Combine and Cook

  • Add the browned ground beef mixture, liquid mixture, and the potatoes, carrots and celery to your slow cooker.
  • Mix well.
  • Cover and cook on low for 6 hours, or 4 hours on high.

Thicken the Stew

  • Remove about half a cup of the cooking liquid, and mix flour into it until smooth, then stir the mixture into the pot.
  • Add the frozen peas (if using) at this point.
  • Cook 30 more minutes.

Notes

Make this overnight, and pack into the fridge in the morning - helpful when you'll be gone more than 7 hours from home! Add frozen green beans to the last half hour of cooking! 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce will add to the savory flavor. 1 tablespoon of tomato paste will boost the tomato flavor. Use chicken stock if you don't have beef broth. Tomato soup will work in a pinch to replace the canned diced tomatoes. Use a blend of turkey and beef to make it a bit healthier.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 303kcal
Keyword budget friendly, Crockpot, easy dinner, family favorite, Hamburger Stew, Poor Man’s Stew
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