Slow Cooker Poor Man’s Stew is made from scratch with ground beef to save money. A very hearty meal with very little effort or money.
We love easy stew recipes like this one, Shipwreck Stew or A-1 Beef Stew for an easy hearty dinner.
Looking for a budget meal this week? I made this Poor Man’s Stew for $6.24 and it feeds 5 people! I put ground beef, russet potatoes, carrots, onions, a garlic clove (not pictured, I had this on hand), tomato paste, water and seasoning in my slow cooker simmered it all day to make this Hearty Poor Man’s Stew.
The inspiration for this meal came from my favorite old movie The Princess Bride. I made a stew similar to the one seen in the movie where Fezzic (Andre the Giant)
What makes this meal budget friendly ?
- Fresh vegetables – I bought just what I needed for this recipe though you can buy large bags of potatoes and carrots and your price will go down.
- Look for ground beef a roll, it’s almost always cheaper than beef in trays.
- Dried spices are alway cheaper than fresh and last for years for other recipes as well.
- I use water instead of broth in this recipe to cut down on the cost, though broth can be used if desired.
How to make Poor Man’s Stew:
You will need these ingredients:
- 1 lb. ground beef browned and drained
- 1.5 lbs potatoes, diced large
- 3 carrots, sliced
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 garlic clove minced (I had this on hand already)
- 6 oz. can tomato paste
- 2 cups water
- 1 tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. pepper
- 1 tsp. onion powder
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
Directions:
- Brown the beef in a skillet on the stove-top, drain fat.
- Add the beef to the slow cooker along with the potatoes, onions, carrots, and garlic.
- In a small bowl whisk together the tomato paste, water, salt, pepper, onion powder, and oregano. Pour this mixture over everything in the slow cooker. Stir.
How long do I cook poor man’s stew?
- Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low for 7-8 hours or until the potatoes are tender.
- Serve in bowls and enjoy!
More stew recipes you’ll want to try!
Slow Cooker Classical Beef Stew - Slow Cooker A.1. Beef Stew
- Witches Brew Stew
- Slow Cooker Beefy Bacon Man Stew
- Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew
- Slow Cooker Shipwreck Stew
- Slow Cooker Split Pea Stew
- Slow Cooker Farmers Market Beef Stew
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Slow Cooker Poor Man’s Stew
Equipment Needed:
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. ground beef browned and drained
- 1 1/2 lbs potatoes diced large
- 3 carrots sliced
- 1 onion diced
- 1 garlic clove minced (I had this on hand already)
- 6 oz. can tomato paste
- 2 cups water
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. pepper
- 1 tsp. onion powder
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
Instructions:
- Add the cooked ground beef, potatoes, carrots, onions, and garlic to a 5-quart or larger slow cooker.
- In a small bowl whisk together the tomato paste, water, salt, pepper, onion powder and oregano. Pour this mixture over everything in the slow cooker. Stir.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 7 hours, without opening the lid during the cooking time.
- Serve with buttered sandwich bread or rolls and Enjoy!
How to Video:
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
Hi would you know how i would make this in my instant pot?
Hi! I’m unsure of the time, but I’m sure you can!
I just had to tell you, I came across this recipe on Pinterest a while ago. I can’t remember how long it’s been. I want to say years because I remember making it when I lived in Washington back in 2017/2018 but I looked at the publish date and it says 2020?? So weird.
Anyway, I LOVE this soup! It’s so easy and super tasty. I had it memorized because I made it so often but then took a break because we moved onto a school bus and I didn’t have my crock pot 😉 so I searched Pinterest to find the recipe for a refresher. I always search Princess bride hamburger soup and your recipe comes right up! I’m sure I have it pinned as well.
I’m going to make it tonight for dinner. It feeds my family of 10-12 (depending on who’s home) well!
I’m so glad you found it! I’ve republished it a few times when I’ve added new photos or info, that’s why the date is new.
Can I make this on High for 4 hours?
Yes, though sometimes potatoes take a little longer.
hi !
i’ve just bought a crock pot and want to use this recipe {stovies} i add slice sausage also if need to thicken up us smash potatoes i cook this on the hob for about a hour so will slow cook on high for 4hrs . allways add some broth / gravy .
This has to be the most flavorless “stew” I have ever prepared. After I got home and tasted it, I uninvited my boyfriend for dinner. Yes, it was THAT bad. I will choke it down to not waste food, but MANNNN… YUCK!
Why don’t you just try adding more spices and a bit of salt? How weird.
Unfortunately young people today do not really know how to cook unless it comes from a package or frozen. The idea of actually using spices etc to change flavours never occurs to them. I see this type of comment over and over again on recipe sites. This recipe is delicious but my Mum made it years ago in the oven.
Thanks for posting it for others to use.
Wondering how it would taste with a cup of beef broth and 1 cup of dry red wine?
It would be even better!
Can you use ground turkey instead?
Yes, though it will have more flavor with ground beef.
What about beef broth will add this than water??? Let me know
Yes, you can! Will be great.
I’m giving this 5 stars because my grandmother made this for us as kids. Over the years I’ve tried a variation of veggies as well as different types of tomatoes. This is a go to for me as well but I cook it on the stove in a big pot so that my adult children can get some for they’re families. Thank You for reminding me
I have been making this for 40+ years as did my MIL before that!! We use tomato sauce instead of soup and add a little chili powder to the mix…Not enough to make it tastes like chili but just enough to give it some flavor! We have always called it Irish Stew!!
Can this be made in the oven at low temperature if I don’t have a slow cooker? Can you recommend a temperature and cooking time? Thanks
Hi! I can’t say without testing it I apolgize.
Can u cook on high setting for 4 hours
Yes, that should work fine.
Love this recipe! I just substitute a can of diced tomatoes with chilis and a can of beef broth for the tomato paste and water. I also do the corn starch slurry at the end.
What if you don’t have a 5 or 6 quart slow cooker? I have a 3 quart slow cooker and i’m looking for ideas to cook more things in it
Hi! You may need to scale back the recipes to make them fit.
Looking at other’s comments about quality and price, this is still a very economical recipe even if you use organic ingredients. I’ve been trying to buy higher quality ingredients lately as it’s healthier for us all and when I broke down this recipe I’m still only spending $12.50 for dinner to feed my family of 6. That’s $2 per person!! Incredible!! It’s Whole30 approved also! I used ButcherBox grass fed beef, organic onion, carrots and potatoes. Also used organic beef bone broth instead of water. Dried herbs. Any fast food around us is going to cost my family of 6 $50 or more, easily. Thanks for sharing better options that are easy on the wallet.
what variety of potatoes are recommended? I ask because there is a huge difference in potato starch and sugars which can make or break a slow cooker recipe. thanks!!
I used russet for this, but any will work. Though russets seem to break apart more easily.
If you add 1 TBSP of vinegar to the pot it will help keep the potatoes for turning to mush but they will still be soft and edible. Apple Cider Vinegar is a good one for stews.
That is why I add the potatoes 1 1/2 HR before it is done so they don’t fall apart.
I have been making this for a few years now. It is definitely a go-to in our family. It’s my daughter’s favorite dish. I have adapted it to our taste over time. I used it as a base and have done a few variations over the years. If you don’t like something, or allergic, or whatever the case may be, just tweak it to your liking. That’s the beauty of being able to adapt things. Thank you so much for a wonderful recipe that we love very much.