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Crock Pot Poor Man's Stew

Crock pot poor man's stew combines browned ground beef, potatoes, and vegetables in a tomato beef broth. Slow cooking makes the potatoes and carrots tender while the stew cooks to 160°F.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 430
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lb ground beef 85% lean
  • 1.5 lb potatoes russet, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 3 carrots medium, sliced 1/2 inch thick
  • 1 yellow onion medium, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
  • 0.5 tsp dried thyme

Equipment

  • 1 6-quart slow cooker

Method
 

  1. Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 8 to 10 minutes, breaking it into small pieces.
  2. Drain off excess fat.
  3. Put the potatoes, carrots, onion, and garlic in a 6-quart slow cooker.
  4. Add the browned beef.
  5. Stir together the tomato sauce, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, kosher salt, black pepper, and dried thyme.
  6. Pour the mixture over the beef and vegetables.
  7. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until the potatoes and carrots are fork-tender and the stew reaches 160°F.

Notes

For the best texture, cut the potatoes and carrots into even pieces. Refrigerate leftovers for 3 to 4 days or freeze them; ground turkey can replace the beef for a leaner option.