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Hearty Poor Man's Stew with a rich balsamic glaze and smoked paprika in a ceramic bowl.

Hearty Poor Man's Stew

Brenda Venera
A budget-friendly and comforting slow cooker meal that transforms ground beef, potatoes, and simple vegetables into a thick, savory stew that feeds the whole family.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Resting time 10 minutes
Total Time 8 hours 25 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 385 kcal

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker
  • Large skillet

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 Pounds ground beef
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 Tablespoon garlic, minced
  • 2 potatoes, large, peeled and cubed
  • 4 carrots, medium, peeled and diced
  • 2 Cups green beans, fresh or frozen
  • 1 1/2 Cups peas, frozen
  • 3 Cups beef broth
  • 29 Ounces stewed tomatoes, canned, with juice
  • 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
  • 3 Tablespoons all purpose flour
  • 2 Tablespoons beef bouillon
  • 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 Teaspoon salt
  • 1 Teaspoon black pepper
  • parsley, for serving

Instructions
 

Build the flavor base

  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef with the diced onion and minced garlic until the meat is browned and no longer pink.
  • Carefully drain any excess grease from the skillet and transfer the cooked beef mixture into the slow cooker.

Assemble the stew

  • Add the cubed potatoes, carrots, green beans, and frozen peas to the slow cooker with the beef.
  • Pour in the beef broth, stewed tomatoes with their juice, and the tomato paste. Stir well to integrate the paste into the liquid.
  • Sprinkle the all-purpose flour and beef bouillon over the top, then stir thoroughly until the flour is completely blended into the broth to prevent clumping.
  • Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper.

Slow cook until tender

  • Cover the pot and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours, until the potatoes and carrots are fork-tender and the broth has thickened into a rich gravy.

Finish and serve

  • Optional: During the final 30 minutes of cooking, stir in a splash of balsamic vinegar and smoked paprika to enhance the flavor depth.
  • Once cooking is finished, let the stew rest for 10 minutes to allow the starches to settle. Serve in warm bowls garnished with fresh parsley.

Notes

Storage Tip: This stew keeps beautifully in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days, or can be frozen for up to 3 months. If reheating from frozen, thaw overnight first and add a splash of broth if the gravy has become too thick.
Potato Choice: Use Russet potatoes if you want a thicker, more traditional texture, as they release more starch. Opt for Yukon Golds if you prefer the potato chunks to remain intact and buttery.
Flavor Secret: Do not rush the browning of the beef in the skillet. Those caramelized bits provide a deep savory foundation that the slow cooker cannot achieve on its own.
Nutrition information is estimated based on common ingredients and serving sizes and may vary.

Nutrition

Calories: 385kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 24gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 68mgSodium: 1150mgPotassium: 890mgFiber: 6gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 145IUVitamin C: 28mgCalcium: 65mgIron: 5mg
Keyword Budget Meal, crockpot, ground beef, Poor Man's Stew, slow cooker
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