Slow Cooker 5-Ingredient Poor Man’s Stew Recipe

Introduction

This Slow Cooker 5-Ingredient Poor Man’s Stew is a comforting, hearty meal perfect for busy days. With simple ingredients and minimal prep, it delivers rich flavors and tender vegetables cooked to perfection.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef (80–85% lean)
• 4 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 4 medium carrots, peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 2 cans (15 ounces each) tomato sauce

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, crumble the ground beef and cook, stirring occasionally, until well browned and no longer pink, about 6–8 minutes. If there is a lot of grease, carefully spoon off most of the excess fat, leaving just a little for flavor.
2. Step 2: While the beef browns, prepare the vegetables: peel and cube the potatoes into roughly 1-inch pieces, peel and slice the carrots into 1/2-inch rounds, and dice the onion.
3. Step 3: Add the potatoes, carrots, and onion to the bottom of a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker, spreading them out in an even layer so they cook evenly.
4. Step 4: Spoon the browned ground beef over the vegetables in the slow cooker, distributing it as evenly as you can so every scoop of stew will have some meat.
5. Step 5: Pour the tomato sauce evenly over the top of the beef and vegetables. Do not add water; the vegetables will release moisture as they cook and the tomato sauce will thicken into a rich gravy.
6. Step 6: Gently stir just once or twice, pulling some of the tomato sauce down around the meat and vegetables while still keeping most of the layers intact. This helps everything cook together while keeping the potatoes and carrots from breaking down too much.
7. Step 7: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW for 7–8 hours, or on HIGH for 4–5 hours, until the potatoes and carrots are very tender and the tomato sauce has thickened into a hearty, red stew-like gravy.
8. Step 8: Once cooked, give the stew a good stir from the bottom to the top to mix the beef, vegetables, and sauce into a uniform mixture. Taste and, if desired, season lightly with salt and black pepper from your pantry to suit your family’s preferences.
9. Step 9: Let the stew sit with the lid off for 5–10 minutes to allow the steam to escape slightly and the sauce to thicken a bit more, then ladle into bowls and serve hot straight from the slow cooker.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add a teaspoon of garlic powder or a bay leaf to the slow cooker before cooking.
• Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner version of this stew.
• If you prefer a thicker stew, mash a few potato cubes into the sauce during the final stir.
• Use sweet potatoes instead of russet potatoes for a slightly sweeter taste and added nutrients.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave until warmed through, adding a splash of water if the stew has thickened too much. This stew can also be frozen for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned tomato sauce?

You can use fresh tomatoes that have been cooked down into a sauce, but canned tomato sauce provides consistent thickness and flavor, making the stew easier to prepare and ensuring a rich gravy.

Is it necessary to brown the ground beef before adding it to the slow cooker?

Browning the beef first improves the stew’s flavor and texture by rendering excess fat and creating a deeper, caramelized taste. It also helps avoid a greasy stew.

Slow Cooker 5-Ingredient Poor Man’s Stew Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 146 reviews

This Slow Cooker 5-Ingredient Poor Man’s Stew is a hearty and comforting dish that combines browned ground beef, potatoes, carrots, onions, and tomato sauce into a thick, flavorful stew. Perfect for an easy, set-it-and-forget-it meal, it uses minimal ingredients yet delivers maximum taste and satisfying warmth.

• Author: Sana
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 7 to 8 hours on LOW or 4 to 5 hours on HIGH
• Total Time: 7 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes (LOW) or 4 hours 15 minutes to 5 hours 15 minutes (HIGH)
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Stew
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat

• 1 pound ground beef (80–85% lean)

Vegetables

• 4 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 4 medium carrots, peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
• 1 large yellow onion, diced

Other

• 2 cans (15 ounces each) tomato sauce

Instructions

1. Brown the beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, crumble the ground beef and cook, stirring occasionally, until it is well browned and no longer pink, about 6–8 minutes. Drain off most of the excess grease, leaving a small amount for flavor.
2. Prepare the vegetables: While the beef cooks, peel and cube the potatoes into roughly 1-inch pieces, peel and slice the carrots into 1/2-inch rounds, and dice the onion.
3. Layer vegetables in slow cooker: Add the potatoes, carrots, and diced onion to the bottom of a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker, spreading them out evenly so they cook uniformly.
4. Add browned beef: Spoon the cooked ground beef evenly over the layered vegetables in the slow cooker to ensure each serving contains meat and vegetables.
5. Pour in tomato sauce: Pour the two cans of tomato sauce evenly over the beef and vegetable layers. Do not add water as the vegetables will release moisture and the sauce will thicken during cooking.
6. Gently stir: Stir once or twice gently to mix some tomato sauce down around the beef and vegetables while keeping layers mostly intact. This helps ingredients meld without the potatoes and carrots breaking down too much.
7. Cook the stew: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on LOW for 7–8 hours or on HIGH for 4–5 hours, until potatoes and carrots are very tender and the tomato sauce has thickened into a rich stew gravy.
8. Finish and season: Once cooked, stir the stew thoroughly to combine beef, vegetables, and sauce. Taste and add salt and black pepper as desired to suit your preference.
9. Let it rest: With the lid off, let the stew sit for 5–10 minutes to allow some steam to escape and the sauce to thicken further.
10. Serve: Ladle the hot stew into bowls and serve immediately straight from the slow cooker for a warm and satisfying meal.

Notes

• Use lean ground beef (80–85%) to keep some fat for flavor but avoid excess grease.
• Do not add water; the natural moisture from vegetables and tomato sauce creates a rich gravy.
• Cooking time can be adjusted; low and slow cooking yields more tender vegetables.
• Season with salt and pepper at the end to control sodium and taste.
• Leftovers store well and taste even better the next day.

Keywords: slow cooker stew, poor man’s stew, easy slow cooker recipe, ground beef stew, simple 5 ingredient stew, comfort food, slow cooker dinner