Slow Cooker Poor Man’s Stew

This Slow Cooker Poor Man’s Stew proves that simple pantry ingredients can turn into an incredibly comforting and flavorful meal. Instead of using pricier stew meat like chuck, this recipe relies on ground beef, which gives the stew a different texture where the seasoned meat blends beautifully with the tender potatoes and carrots. Tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce add a deep, savory richness that makes the broth taste like it has been simmering all day.

Ingredients

• Ground beef: 1 lb
• Potatoes (peeled and diced): 4 medium (about 3 cups)
• Carrots (sliced): 3 medium
• Beef broth: 2 cups
• Diced tomatoes with juice: 1 (14.5 oz) can
• Frozen peas (optional): 1 cup
• Tomato paste: 2 tablespoons
• Small onion (chopped): 1
• Garlic (minced): 2 cloves
• Worcestershire sauce: 1 tablespoon
• Olive oil: 1 tablespoon
• Thyme, paprika, oregano, salt, pepper: To taste

How To Make Slow Cooker Poor Man’s Stew

Step 1: Build the Base Flavor

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the ground beef until fully browned and no pink remains, then drain off the extra grease.

Tip: Browning the meat only takes a few minutes but makes a big difference. Those browned bits left in the pan add extra depth and give the stew a richer color and taste.

Step 2: Add Ingredients to the Slow Cooker

Place the diced potatoes, sliced carrots, chopped onion, and garlic into the slow cooker. Add the browned ground beef on top, followed by the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and beef broth.

Step 3: Season the Stew

Add thyme, paprika, oregano, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir gently so the tomato paste blends evenly into the broth.

Step 4: Slow Cook

Cover and cook on LOW for 7–8 hours or HIGH for 4–5 hours, until the potatoes and carrots are tender.

Step 5: Finish the Stew

Add the frozen peas during the final 15 minutes of cooking so they stay bright, slightly firm, and flavorful instead of becoming too soft.