Slow Cooker Poor Man’s Stew

A wooden spoon resting in a pot of crock pot poor mans stew.

5 from 2 votes

This slow cooker poor man's stew is easy to prep and packed with ground beef, potatoes, carrots, and savory seasonings. Just set it in the slow cooker and let it simmer to a rich, comforting stew perfect for any night of the week.

Prep Time19

Cook Time4

Total Time4 19

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Calories: 506kcal

Author: Ryan Allen

Equipment

Ingredients

2 lb ground beef
1 medium onion (diced)
3 tsp garlic (minced)
3 ½ cups beef broth
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
5 carrots (cut into bite size pieces)
1 lb russet potatoes (washed, skinned and cut into bite-size pieces)
6 oz tomato paste
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon dried rosemary
½ teaspoon dried thyme
2 bay leaves
¼ cups cold water
3 tablespoons cornstarch

Instructions

In a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook ground beef until completely brown. It takes about 6-7 minutes. Drain and add to a 6-quart crock pot.
Add onion, garlic, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, carrots, potatoes, tomato paste, black pepper, salt, rosemary, thyme, and bay leaves.
Cover and cook on low for 8 to 9 hours or high for 4 to 5 hours.
Whisk the cold water and cornstarch together until there are no lumps. Pour into the stew and mix. Continue to cook for 10 minutes or until the sauce begins to thicken.
Remove bay leaves before serving and enjoy!

Notes

Brown the ground beef first to boost flavor and reduce excess grease in the stew.
Chop potatoes and carrots into even, bite-sized pieces so they cook evenly without getting mushy.
Whisk the cornstarch with cold water before adding to the stew to ensure a smooth, lump-free sauce.
Layer root vegetables on the bottom of the crock pot and meat on top for even cooking and better texture.

Nutrition