Slow Cooker Poor Man’s Stew

Slow cooker poor man’s stew is a hearty recipe the entire family will enjoy. This comforting stew is perfect for cold winter nights or days when you’re watching your budget. Poor man’s stew provides a is a good meal without spending a lot of money. This affordable dish uses simple ingredients like ground beef, frozen peas and carrots, and russet potatoes. The best thing about this stew is that it’s so versatile. Tailor this to your liking! Instruction to make this ground beef recipe in the Instant Pot are also included. 

Ingredients For Poor Man’s Stew

• Ground beef
• Potatoes
• Beef Broth
• Canned Crushed or Diced Tomatoes
• Onion
• Garlic
• Frozen Peas & Carrots
• Seasonings: salt, pepper, dried parsley

How To Make Poor Man’s Stew In The Crock-Pot

SLOW COOKER

1. Heat oil in a large skillet. When hot, add the ground beef and onion. Cook 5-7 minutes or until the ground beef is no longer pink. Crumble the ground meat as it cooks. Add the garlic and cook an additional minute. Drain the grease and add the mixture to the slow cooker.
2. Add all the remaining ingredients. Stir to mix well.
3. Cook HIGH 3-4 hour or LOW 6-8.

Instant Pot

1. Turn on the pressure cooker and select sauté. Add the oil. When hot, add the ground beef and onion. Cook 5-7 minutes, crumbling the ground beef as it cooks. Add the garlic and cook an additional minute. Drain the fat from the Instant Pot.
2. Stir in all remaining ingredients except the frozen peas & carrots. 
3. Close lid and seal valve. Set high pressure and cook for 20 minutes. When cooking time is complete, quick release the pressure.
4. Open the lid. Turn the Instant Pot to the warm setting. Stir in the frozen peas & carrots. Cook 5-10 minutes.

What Is Poor Man’s Stew

Poor man’s stew is a beef stew that uses inexpensive aka ‘poor’ and ingredients. The stew is tailor-made by the person making it using the ingredients they have on a limited budget. While each pot is different, common ingredients include ground beef, potatoes, and carrots.

What Type Of Ground Meat To Use

While I used ground beef, feel free to use your preferred ground meat with this recipe. Ground beef, ground turkey, pork sausage…they all work well. Chalk it up to personal preference. 

Adding Veggies

First off, you do not have to add veggies to this poor man’s stew recipe. If you do, add the veggies you like! I use 1 cup of frozen peas & carrots. Other suggestions include celery, corn, mushrooms, zucchini, and green beans.

FAQs & Tips

• Don’t have parsley? Use another dried herb like oregano, thyme, or rosemary. 
• Leftover poor man’s beef stew should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When store properly it will keep for up to 4 days in the frig or up to 2 months in the freezer. 
• Try to cut the potatoes in the same size pieces. This will help them cook evenly. 
• Get creative with this stew recipe.  Omit it. Like a meaty stew? Add more beef and use less vegetables. 
• Eat this stew as-is! Other serving suggestion include with cornbread, over rice or mashed potatoes.

Beef Stew Recipes

• Guinness

• Cranberry

• Cilantro

• Hamburger 

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