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.

FAQs & Tips

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. You can get creative with this stew recipe. For example, do you prefer a meaty stew? If so, add more beef and use less vegetables. 

What type of ground meat should you 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. 

What type of potatoes should you use?

I use russet potatoes but technically you can use any type of potatoes, even sweet potatoes. Cut the potatoes in the same size pieces,  this will help them cook evenly. 

What vegetables should you add? 

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

Can you use a different herb in the seasonings?

Sure. Don’t have parsley? Use another dried herb like oregano, thyme, or rosemary. 

How do you serve this?

Eat this stew as-is! Other serving suggestion include with cornbread, over rice or mashed potatoes.

How do you store leftovers?

Store leftover slow cooker poor man’s stew in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. 

What size slow cooker did you use?

I use a  6-quart slow cooker or Instant Pot for this recipe. 

Beef Stew Recipes

• Guinness

• Cranberry

• Cilantro

• Hamburger 

Slow Cooker Poor Man’s Stew

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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. This affordable dish uses simple ingredients like ground beef, russet potatoes, and canned tomatoes. The best thing about poor man’s stew is that it’s so versatile dish you can tailor it to your liking. Use the ingredients you have on hand!  Poor man’s stew provides a is a good meal without spending a lot of money. Instruction to make this ground beef stew in the Instant Pot are also included.

• Author: Shannon Epstein
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 3 hours
• Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x

Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pound russet potatoes, peeled and chopped
• 1 cup frozen peas & carrots
• 1/2 cup onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 15-ounce can crushed or diced tomatoes
• 2 cups beef broth
• 2 teaspoons dried parsley
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt (or more)
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 tablespoon oil

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Instructions

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.

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