Hearty Budget-Friendly Slow Cooker Poor Man’s Stew Recipe

Hearty and budget-friendly, this slow cooker poor man’s stew delivers comfort in every spoonful without breaking the bank.

Rustic ingredients come together effortlessly, creating a rich and satisfying meal that warms you from the inside out.

The slow cooker works its magic, blending affordable cuts of meat with humble vegetables into a deeply flavorful dish.

Simple seasonings and minimal prep time make this recipe a weeknight savior for hungry households.

Root vegetables and tender meat meld into a robust stew that stretches your dollar without sacrificing taste.

Each bite promises a nostalgic connection to home-cooked goodness that feels like a warm embrace.

Let’s find out this economical yet delicious meal that proves great food doesn’t need to be expensive.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours

Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes

Calories: 380 kcal

Servings: 7

Ingredients for the Coziest Slow Cooker Poor Man’s Stew

• Ground Beef: Provides rich, hearty base with deep meaty flavor, choose lean ground beef for less grease and better texture.
• Beef Bouillon Cubes: Intensifies beef taste and adds depth to the stew, low-sodium options work great for controlling salt levels.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Delivers tangy umami kick that enhances overall meat flavor, adds complexity to the dish.

• Onion, Onion Powder: Brings sweet and savory undertones, fresh onion adds texture while powder provides consistent flavor.
• Garlic Powder: Introduces warm, robust taste without chopping fresh garlic, ensures even seasoning throughout the stew.
• Dried Oregano: Contributes earthy, slightly peppery herb notes, classic Mediterranean herb that pairs perfectly with beef.

• Carrots: Adds natural sweetness and vibrant color, choose firm, bright orange carrots for best nutrition and taste.
• Russet Potatoes: Creates hearty, filling base with creamy texture, peeling ensures smooth consistency in the stew.
• Tomato Paste: Provides rich, concentrated tomato flavor and helps thicken the sauce, deepens overall color and taste.
• Hot Water: Helps blend ingredients and create desired stew consistency, warm water helps dissolve bouillon cubes faster.

Must-Have Tools for Making Poor Man’s Stew in a Crockpot

• Slow Cooker: Large, essential for cooking the entire stew with minimal effort.
• Skillet: Needed to brown ground beef before transferring to slow cooker.
• Cutting Board: Use for chopping potatoes, carrots, and onions safely.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp knife for precise vegetable cutting.
• Measuring Cups: Helpful for accurate liquid and seasoning measurements.
• Wooden Spoon: Perfect for stirring ingredients in slow cooker.
• Small Bowl: Mix cornstarch slurry and combine liquid ingredients.
• Ladle: Serve hot stew easily onto plates or into bowls.

How to Slow Cook Poor Man’s Stew to Hearty

• Meat Preparation Warm up a skillet and transform ground beef into golden, crispy bits, letting excess fat drip away.
• Veggie Harmony Chop root vegetables into rustic chunks, creating a colorful landscape of potatoes, carrots, and onions ready to mingle in the slow cooker.
• Flavor Symphony Sprinkle aromatic herbs and spices that'll dance together, bringing depth and warmth to your stew.
• Liquid Magic Whisk together a magical potion of tomato essence, savory broth, and tangy Worcestershire sauce that will infuse every morsel with rich flavor.
• Slow Transformation Nestle all ingredients into the slow cooker, allowing them to simmer and meld into a soul-warming masterpiece. Let it bubble gently on low for seven hours or speed up on high for four.
• Final Touch Gently thicken the stew's luxurious sauce thirty minutes before serving, creating a velvety texture that hugs each ingredient.
• Serving Joy Ladle this comforting creation into bowls, pairing with crusty bread or fluffy rice for a meal that feels like a warm embrace.

Pro Tips & Comforting Variations for Poor Man’s Stew

• Add a dash of smoked paprika or red pepper flakes for an extra kick that transforms the basic stew into a spicy comfort meal.
• Replace ground beef with ground turkey or chicken to reduce costs and create a leaner version of this hearty dish.
• Toss in additional vegetables like celery, frozen peas, or green beans to increase nutrition and stretch the meal even further for hungry families.
• This stew freezes beautifully for up to 3 months, making it perfect for meal prep and quick weeknight dinners when time is tight.

Best Ways to Serve Slow Cooker Poor Man’s Stew

• Hearty Bread Companion: Slice up a warm, crusty baguette or rustic sourdough to soak up the rich, savory gravy, adding a delightful crunch and texture to each comforting bite.
• Cozy Rice Base: Ladle the stew over fluffy white rice or nutty brown rice, creating a satisfying one-bowl meal that stretches the serving and absorbs all the delicious flavors.
• Fresh Green Accent: Sprinkle chopped parsley or green onions on top for a bright, fresh contrast to the deep, meaty stew, adding a pop of color and light herbal note to the dish.
• Family-Style Feast: Serve in large, deep bowls with extra bread on the side, encouraging everyone to dig in and enjoy this classic, budget-friendly comfort food together.

How to Store, Reheat & Love Leftover Poor Man’s Stew

• Leftover Love: Store cooled stew in airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 4 days. The flavors actually improve overnight, making next-day meals even more delicious.
• Freezer-Friendly Fix: Portion stew into freezer-safe containers, leaving slight space for expansion. Freeze up to 3 months for quick, hearty meals during busy weeks.
• Reheating Magic: Warm refrigerated stew gently in microwave or stovetop, adding splash of water to prevent drying. Stir occasionally to distribute heat evenly and maintain smooth texture.
• Meal Prep Champion: Prep ingredients night before, store in separate containers in refrigerator. Assemble quickly in morning for hassle-free dinner that's ready when you return home.

Hearty Slow Cooker Poor Mans Stew

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4.8 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty poor man’s stew simmers with simple, budget-friendly ingredients that create a comforting meal perfect for chilly evenings. Robust beef, potatoes, and vegetables blend seamlessly, offering hungry families a satisfying dish you’ll want to savor again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 lbs (907 grams) ground beef
• 4 medium russet potatoes (peeled and diced)
• 1 medium onion (chopped)
• 2 medium carrots (diced)
• 4 tbsps tomato paste
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 2 beef bouillon cubes
• 2 cups (473 ml) hot water
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 4 drops Worcestershire sauce

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Instructions

1. Meat Preparation: Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat until no pink remains, then drain excess fat and transfer to slow cooker.
2. Vegetable Preparation: Uniformly dice potatoes, slice carrots, and chop onions into consistent sizes to ensure even cooking and balanced flavor distribution.
3. Initial Layering: Arrange diced vegetables directly over browned beef in slow cooker, creating a robust foundation for the stew.
4. Seasoning: Sprinkle dried oregano, onion powder, and garlic powder evenly across the meat and vegetable mixture to infuse depth of flavor.
5. Liquid Base Creation: Whisk tomato paste, water, beef bouillon granules, and Worcestershire sauce in a separate bowl until smooth and well-integrated.
6. Liquid Integration: Pour seasoned liquid mixture over ingredients in slow cooker, ensuring partial submersion of all components.
7. Slow Cooking Process: Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours until vegetables reach tender perfection.
8. Thickening Technique: Thirty minutes before serving, create a cornstarch slurry by whisking cornstarch with cold water until completely smooth.
9. Final Refinement: Stir cornstarch mixture into stew to develop a rich, hearty consistency and enhance overall texture.
10. Serving Suggestion: Plate piping hot, accompanied by crusty bread or served over steamed white rice for a complete, satisfying meal.

Notes

• Meat Browning Essential: Thoroughly brown ground beef to develop deep, rich flavors and eliminate raw meat texture, which enhances overall dish taste.
• Vegetable Uniform Cutting: Dice potatoes, carrots, and onions into consistent sizes to ensure even cooking and prevent some pieces from becoming mushy while others remain undercooked.
• Seasoning Distribution Technique: Sprinkle dried herbs and powders evenly across ingredients to guarantee balanced flavor in every single bite of the stew.
• Thickening Slurry Secret: Create cornstarch mixture with cold water precisely 30 minutes before serving to achieve perfect stew consistency without lumps, transforming the dish from watery to rich and hearty.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking, Steaming, Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 700 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg