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). You may also like my Slow Cooker Camp Stew Recipe!
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.
Charlene Cash says
When my son was in third grade, his class did a similar version of this, that they called stone soup. All the kids brought in one form of a veg., A potato, carrot, onion, celery, can of tomato sauce, beef broth, hamburger, and so on. It starts out a small villager was very poor. Each home only had a form of ingredient. This boy decided he would make a pot of stone soup. So he starts a fire in the middle of town and puts a stone in a very large pot with some water. As he’s stirring his stone, he’s telling the villagers how nice it would be if only he had some meat, so he could share his soup with the person that brought the meat. This went on until everyone contributed to the pot. There was enough soup for everyone in the village. They all got to share in the feast, and had fun.
Maureen says
That’s what I do
Liz says
In my home town we eat a similair dish every 3th of October because of a huge city feast. We dont do the tomatoes ( which I think its nice to add) and we use thymian and/or a blend of curry. The whole city smells of what we called Hutspot.
Sarah says
I’m making this Sunday can I serve it over macaroni?
Sarah Olson says
I don’t see why not!
Donna says
I make this often, I cook on stove top. I use beef broth/ stock which ever I grab (in place of water). I make more of a soup consistency, occasionally I add other vegetables. It’s really versatile ❤️
Beth says
Can you cook cooked? on high for 4 hours in a slow cooket?
Gabriella stambaugh says
I was wondering the same. Has anyone tried this?
Carol B says
I do not have a slow cooker. Can I use the oven or cook on stove.
Sarah Olson says
I’m sure you could. I have not tested either way though, I apologize.
Anonymous says
It looks wonderful and I will be trying it. However, your cost is very deceiving when you say you can purchase hamburger for $.59 / lb. I though in what universe are you finding a Fred Meyer offering that price? I would travel there and buy out the store! Then I noticed the date on the receipt, 2/01/15. That makes more sense. In today’s market, the Poor Man’s Stew will make us A LOT poorer than $6.34. But, still looks fantastic and delicious,
O J Langley says
can I use a rice cooker for this receipe?
Sarah Olson says
I’m unsure, I haven’t tested it with one. I apologize.
Patti says
Can I add beef broth instead of water
Mae says
I was thinking the same thing
Tracy says
Can you add more liquid?
Sarah Olson says
Yes, you can add as much liquid as you want. This is on the thicker side, so some do add more liquid.
Kristina says
I have a large family, so I want to double this. Will this work on a high setting? If so, how long?
Sarah Olson says
I would do 4-5 hours on high, you may need to add a little more liquid.
Ruth says
I making in cr.pot. now wait and taste can’t wait thanks for a simple but hardy recepie God bless yo where you need it most
Carey says
If I wanted to cook this in an instapot, how long should I cook it if I want it to cook on high?
Sarah Olson says
On the slow cooker setting? I’m unsure. I’ve heard the slow cooker setting cooks very low on the instant pot. You will need anywhere from 4-6 hours on high.