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
Equipment Needed:
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.
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.