Slow Cooker Poor Man’s Stew is made from scratch with ground beef to save money. A very hearty meal with minimal effort or money. This budget friendly ground beef stew can’t be beaten.
We love easy stew recipes like this one, Shipwreck Stew or A-1 Beef Stew, for an easy, hearty dinner.
When I first published this recipe in 2015, I made this entire Poor Man’s Stew for $6.24. Nowadays, the price of groceries is much higher than that. But you can still make an economical meal using fresh vegetables and ground beef.
I put ground beef, russet potatoes, carrots, onions, a garlic clove, tomato paste, water, and seasonings in my slow cooker and simmered it all day to make this Hearty Poor Man’s Stew. A great Sunday dinner recipe or for when you are even camping!
The inspiration for this hamburger stew 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) hand-fed Inigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin) a hearty stew trying to get him sober, so they could find and save Westley (Carey Elwes).
What makes this meal budget friendly ?
- Fresh vegetables – I bought just what I needed for this recipe though you can buy bulk bags of gold potatoes (or russet potatoes), carrots, onion, and garlic, and your price will go down per serving.
- Look for ground beef in a roll (called a chub); it’s almost always cheaper than beef in trays. If you have leftover slow cooker ground beef, be sure to use that!
- Dried spices are always cheaper than fresh and last for years; for other recipes, I use onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- I use water instead of beef broth in this recipe to cut the cost, though beef broth can be used if desired.
- For the tomato flavor, a cheap can of tomato paste is used.
Step-by-Step Directions
Step One – Brown ground beef in a skillet on the stove-top; drain fat. Add the meat to the crock pot and the potatoes, onions, carrots, and garlic.
Step Two -Whisk together the tomato paste, water, salt, pepper, onion powder, and Italian seasoning in a small bowl.
Step Three – Pour this mixture over everything in the slow cooker. Stir.
Step Four – 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!
Variations
- More Vegetables – Add sweet potatoes, frozen peas, and canned green beans.
- Tomato Soup – Instead of adding tomato paste, use a condensed tomato soup for more flavor.
- Flavor enhancers – Add Worcestershire sauce or hot sauce for a kick of flavor. You can also add a pack of taco seasoning instead of the recipe seasonings.
- Toppings – To serve this crockpot poor mans stew, you may want to add some toppings such as shredded cheddar cheese, diced onion, or crushed saltine crackers.
- Bread – Don’t go out and buy special bread for this meal. It’s terrific with buttered sandwich bread as a side.
Recipe FAQs
You can use ground turkey, ground chicken, or ground sausage (basically any ground meat). Or you can use what traditional beef stew call for, which is beef stew meat.
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container for up to three days in the fridge, which will last a few months in the freezer.
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Slow Cooker Poor Man’s Stew Recipe
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 1/2 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)
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 Italian seasoning. Pour this mixture over everything in the slow cooker. Stir.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours, without opening the lid during the cooking time.
- Serve with buttered sandwich bread or rolls and Enjoy!
How to Video:
Sarah’s Notes:
- You can use ground turkey, ground chicken, or ground sausage (basically any ground meat). Or you can use what traditional beef stew call for, which is beef stew meat.
- If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container for up to three days in the fridge, which will last a few months in the freezer.
- More Vegetables – Add sweet potatoes, frozen peas, and canned green beans.
- Tomato Soup – Instead of adding tomato paste, use a condensed tomato soup for more flavor.
- Flavor enhancers – Add Worcestershire sauce or hot sauce for a kick of flavor. You can also add a pack of taco seasoning instead of the recipe seasonings.
- Toppings – To serve this crockpot poor mans stew, you may want to add some toppings such as shredded cheddar cheese, diced onion, or crushed saltine crackers.
Nutrition Information:
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
Sam says
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.
BAZ says
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!!
Sarah Olson says
I used russet for this, but any will work. Though russets seem to break apart more easily.
WDC says
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.
Sharon says
That is why I add the potatoes 1 1/2 HR before it is done so they don’t fall apart.
Mercedes says
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.
Anonymous says
I believe it tastes like a cross between chili and spaghetti sauce with potatoes and carrots.
Alice says
Hello, I am Italian didn’t know this recipe. I tried it yesterday, but didn’t drain the meat at all. I just sauted it and tossed everything in the slow cooker. I think it gains in flavor. You could also put some black beans or belly pepper or any other veg you have at hand for flavor variations. Great recipe
Anonymous says
Delicious and easy I had everything on hand
Jackie says
I have a couple of issues with this. 1st, why drain the fat at all? It’s an important part of the flavor. if you must drain it: keep it in the fridge for a different dish, as a substitute for cooking oil. 2nd: why get the cheapest meat? Unless you are in dire straits, get a smaller pack of the best meat you can afford, ideally organic. Bulk up with lentils or such- and then CERTAINLY keep the fat. Or forget ground beef and work with meaty soup bones. 3rd: fresh herbs taste a LOT better than dried. I guess the way to go is buy fresh herbs when they are cheap, use a part right away, and freeze or dry the rest.
Jake says
Awwwe Jackie, don’t take it to heart. Some of us can’t afford expensive beef, have time to shop for fresh herbs, or even like lentils! I work 2 jobs, have 3 sons, with one of them with special challenges, and my husband passed away after a long nasty illness. It’s recipes like this that help us with limited ressources , and limited time, to survive!!! Between the slow cooker and an instant pot someone blessed me with at Christmas, I am blessed to have people that care enough to put lower cost recipes to share with us! And I ALWAYs drain AND rinse ground beef or ground chuck-me or my kids don’t want the EXTRA fat.
Anonymous says
Don’t worry Jake, some people are just meant to troll. This looks like one of them….some ppl can’t handle moving on if they don’t like something. Like it’s their recipe to own. I like it just the way it is!
Mac Mccully says
Just tried it today here in Northern Ireland. Absolutely beautiful, added some Italian mixed herbs instead of Oregano and also added some Bisto gravy granules (UK thing) to thicken it up as I put a bit too much stock in. If people are worried about draining the fat then buy leaner meat. Used 5% fat ground beef or mince as we call it here ! Will be recommending it to family in Byron Centre Michigan!
Sarah Olson says
Great to hear! Glad you enjoyed it.
Ann says
I love it just the way it is and the talk about getting high priced meet well it’s called poor mans stew for a reason and it’s the best
LESLEY WITHERS says
I am sorry for the loss of your husband. I to have lost mine.Blessed be the person that gave you a slow cooker. I now have a new partner, but we are both on a pension, every penny counts. I live in Australia and am always looking for cheap, economical meals.
Thankyou for this one
M. L. says
You. Are. Amazing mama!!!
Ali says
Thank you! Bravo response! I was just about to jump in and you nailed it! It’s called poor mans stew for a reason. I agree with the fat opinion! I don’t want to open my fridge to warm a bowl and have an inch of fat on top
Barbara J Bender says
Thank you for your comment. Yes, some of us are on very strict budgets and appreciate lower cost versions of recipes. I remember the days when I was raising my two children while working and I also fed anywhere from 2-7 other neighborhood children that seemed to gravitate to my home at dinner time. There was always room at my table for these children. They didn’t care that I back filled my recipes with things like potatoes and macaroni, they were just grateful that someone would feed them…..something.
Laurie/Leesburg, VA says
Super easy and I followed suggestions of beef broth, stewed tomatoes & slurry corn starch. Added frozen peas 30 min. Before serving
Tammy says
I made this before and I really enjoyed it. If you don’t like it, fine make something else. I never understand why people are so negative at times on these posts. Maybe use a little initiative and add somethings to the recipe to suit your tastes more. I add a little A1 and use fire roasted tomatoes and beef broth to mine…just like to experiment a little. Pretty good recipe to me. My family enjoyed it!
Sarah Olson says
Hi! Tammy! Glad you enjoy this recipe. Your modifications sound great!
Helen Keller says
Your correct add to your own taste and enjoy. ☺️
Jonathan says
Yeah, the whole world has changed @Wanda… we get it.
Point is, you/we were looking for an economical/easy stew to throw together for dinner… and here is a good intention recipe.
– I cant find any gripes with that.
Anonymous says
Thanks for the idea trying g it today with a lucky eater who has good allergies. Wish me luck.
Anonymous says
Too watery and quite tasteless