Slow Cooker Chuck Wagon Stew

Slow cooker chuck wagon stew is a hearty stew that uses simple, affortable ingredients. Ground beef, baked beans, bell peppers, and carrots slow cook together in a seasoned broth. This crockpot recipe produces bold flavors with minimal effort. Chuck wagon stew is perfect for family dinners or meal-prepping. Instructions to make this ground beef stew in the Instant Pot are also included.

Ingredients For Slow Cooker Chuck Wagon Stew

• Ground Beef
• Baked Beans
• Ketchup
• Bell Pepper
• Onion
• Carrots
• Beef Broth
• Seasonings: salt, garlic powder, red pepper flakes

How To Make Chuck Wagon Stew In The Crockpot

Slow Cooker

1. Add the oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, add the ground beef and onion. Cook until the beef is browned, approximately 3 to 5 minutes. Crumble the beef as it cooks. Drain the grease and add the mixture to the slow cooker.
2. Add all the remaining ingredients to the slow cooker. Stir to mix well.
3. Cook HIGH for 3 to 4 hours or LOW 6 to 8.

Instant Pot

1. 1. Turn on the pressure cooker and select sauté. Add the oil. Once hot, add the ground beef, bell pepper, and onion. Cook until the beef is browned, approximately 3 to 5 minutes. Crumble the beef as it cooks. Drain the excess grease if needed.
   2. Add all the ingredients to the Instant Pot. Stir to mix well.
   3. Select manual setting, high pressure for 25 minutes. When cooking time is done, quick-release the pressure.

FAQs & Tips

What is chuck wagon stew?

Chuck wagon stew has roots back to the Navy.  This beef recipe is perfect for a ship because it uses ingredients with a long shelf life that can feed large crews. Ground beef, canned baked beans, and simple vegetables are common staples that are prepared with minimal equipment and easily be stored. Luckily this recipe has transitioned from the galley to homes!

What type of beef should you use?

This recipe calls ground beef but technically you an ue any ground meat can be used whether it’s be beef or ground turkey.

What kind of baked beans shoud you use?

Use 16 ounces of your preferred baked beans. Not that that brand and flavor of baked beans that you choose will alter the taste of the stew. For example, if you use canned brown sugar baked beans, expect your beef stew to be a little sweeter.   

How do you store leftovers?

Store leftover slow cooker chuck wagon stew in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. 

What size slow cooker should you use?

I used a 6-quart slow cooker or Instant Pot.

Beef Stew Recipes 

• Supreme Pizza

• Hamburger

• Cranberry

• Guinness 

• Cilantro-Beef

• Poor Man’s

Slow Cooker Chuck Wagon Stew

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Slow cooker chuck wagon stew is a hearty stew that uses simple, affortable ingredients. Ground beef, baked beans, bell peppers, and carrots slow cook together in a seasoned broth. This crockpot recipe produces bold flavors with minimal effort. Chuck wagon stew is perfect for family dinners or meal-prepping. Instructions to make this ground beef stew in the Instant Pot are also included.

• Author: Shannon Epstein
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours
• Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x

Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 pound ground beef, seasoned with salt and pepper
• 16 ounces canned baked beans
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2 cup onion, diced
• 1 large carrot, peeled & diced
• 1 1/2 cups beef broth
• 1 teapoons salt (or more)
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes (or black pepper)
• 1 tablespoon oil of your choice

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Instructions

Slow Cooker

1. Add the oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, add the ground beef and onion. Cook until the beef is browned, approximately 3 to 5 minutes. Crumble the beef as it cooks. Drain the grease and add the mixture to the slow cooker.
2. Add all the remaining ingredients to the slow cooker. Stir to mix well.
3. Cook HIGH for 3 to 4 hours or LOW 6 to 8.

Instant Pot

1. Turn on the pressure cooker and select sauté. Add the oil. Once hot, add the ground beef, bell pepper, and onion. Cook until the beef is browned, approximately 3 to 5 minutes. Crumble the beef as it cooks. Drain the excess grease if needed.
2. Add all the ingredients to the Instant Pot. Stir to mix well.
3. Select manual setting, high pressure for 25 minutes. When cooking time is done, quick-release the pressure.

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