Name: Slow Cooker Poor Man’s Stew Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 7 h
Total time: 7 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb. ground beef, browned and drained; 1 ½ lbs russet or gold potatoes, peeled and diced large; 3 carrots, sliced thick; 1 yellow onion, diced; 1 garlic clove, minced (or ½ teaspoon garlic powder); 6 oz. can tomato paste; 2 cups water; 1 tsp. salt; ¼ tsp. pepper; 1 tsp. onion powder; 2 tsp. Italian seasoning (or oregano)

Description

Slow Cooker Poor Man’s Stew is a comforting and budget-friendly meal featuring browned ground beef, hearty potatoes, carrots, and a rich tomato sauce. This easy-to-make crockpot recipe simmers all ingredients slowly to develop deep, flavorful goodness, perfect for effortless family dinners on busy days.

Ingredients

Meat

1 lb. ground beef, browned and drained

Vegetables

1 ½ lbs russet or gold potatoes, peeled and diced large
3 carrots, sliced thick
1 yellow onion, diced
1 garlic clove, minced (or ½ teaspoon garlic powder)

Liquids & Seasonings

6 oz. can tomato paste
2 cups water
1 tsp. salt
¼ tsp. pepper
1 tsp. onion powder
2 tsp. Italian seasoning (or oregano)

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Instructions

Prepare Ground Beef: Brown the ground beef in a pan over medium heat until fully cooked, then drain excess fat to keep the stew from being greasy.
Add Ingredients to Slow Cooker: Place the browned ground beef, diced potatoes, sliced carrots, diced onion, and minced garlic into a 5-quart or larger slow cooker, distributing them evenly.
Mix the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the tomato paste, water, salt, pepper, onion powder, and Italian seasoning until smooth and well combined.
Combine and Stir: Pour the tomato sauce mixture over the ingredients in the slow cooker, then stir gently to ensure everything is evenly coated.
Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 7 to 8 hours without opening the lid to preserve heat and moisture.
Serve: Once cooked, serve the stew hot, ideally with buttered sandwich bread or rolls for a complete and hearty meal.

Notes

For a thicker stew, use slightly less water or cook uncovered in the last 30 minutes to reduce liquid.
You can substitute Italian seasoning with dried oregano or a blend of herbs like thyme and basil.
Adding a splash of Worcestershire sauce can boost the savory depth if desired.
To make it gluten-free, ensure the tomato paste and seasoning are certified gluten-free.
This stew also freezes well; store in airtight containers for up to 3 months.