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Bowl of slow cooker poor man's stew with ground beef, potatoes, and carrots in tomato broth

Slow Cooker Poor Man's Stew

Linda
A cheap, hearty, and easy slow cooker beef stew made with ground beef, potatoes, carrots, and simple pantry ingredients
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 320 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 4 medium russet potatoes peeled and cubed
  • 3 carrots sliced
  • 1 large yellow onion diced
  • 2 stalks celery chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 can 14.5 oz diced tomatoes
  • 1 can 8 oz tomato sauce
  • 3 cups beef broth
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium heat for 5–6 minutes. Drain the fat.
  • Add beef, potatoes, carrots, onion, celery, and garlic to the slow cooker.
  • Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, paprika, and bay leaf.
  • Season with salt and pepper and stir gently.
  • Cover and cook on LOW for 7–8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours.
  • Remove the bay leaf, adjust seasoning, and serve. For a thicker stew, mash a few potato pieces into the broth.

Notes

Store covered in the refrigerator and use within 3–4 days. Freeze cooled portions for up to 3 months. For a thicker stew, mash some cooked potatoes into the broth.
Keyword budget dinner, cheap family meals, easy slow cooker recipe, ground beef stew, poor man's stew, slow cooker beef stew, Slow Cooker Poor Man's Stew