Ah, a Crock Pot Poor Man’s Stew—hearty, simple, and budget-friendly 🥘
Perfect for busy days, using inexpensive ingredients but still full of flavor.
Crock Pot Poor Man’s Stew (Serves 4–6)
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (or inexpensive stew meat)
- 4–5 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2–3 cups beef broth (or water + bouillon)
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (optional)
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika (optional)
- 1 tsp dried thyme or Italian seasoning
- 1–2 tbsp flour (for thickening, optional)
Instructions
- Brown meat (optional but adds flavor):
- In a skillet, brown ground beef with onion and garlic. Drain excess fat.
- Load crock pot:
- Add meat, potatoes, carrots, and broth.
- Stir in diced tomatoes, seasonings, and flour (if using).
- Cook:
- Low for 6–8 hours or High for 3–4 hours, until vegetables are tender and stew is thickened.
- Adjust seasoning before serving.
Tips & Variations
- 🥩 Use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version
- 🌿 Add frozen peas or green beans at the end
- 🍲 For thicker stew, mash a few potatoes into the broth
- 🌶️ Add a dash of hot sauce or paprika for extra kick
This is flexible, easy to make with pantry staples, and perfect for cold evenings.
I can also give a 5-ingredient ultra-easy version if you want it even simpler. Do you want me to?
