Description
Hearty poor man’s stew simmers with budget-friendly ingredients, delivering comfort in every spoonful. Economical, filling, and packed with robust flavors, this slow-cooked meal will satisfy you from first bite to last.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb beef stew meat
Vegetables:
- 4 medium potatoes, diced
- 3 carrots, chopped
- 2 onions, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
Pantry Ingredients:
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (for thickening)
Instructions
- Brown ground beef and stew meat in a skillet over medium-high heat until caramelized and rich in color, approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Transfer browned meat to the crock pot, leaving behind any rendered fat for additional flavor development.
- Sauté minced garlic in the same skillet for 30 seconds to release aromatic compounds, then deglaze with beef broth to capture all the concentrated meat flavors.
- Sprinkle flour into the liquid, whisking continuously to create a smooth, lump-free thickening agent for the stew.
- Pour the garlic-broth mixture over the meat in the crock pot, ensuring complete coverage.
- Layer diced potatoes, chopped carrots, sliced onions, and chopped celery on top of the meat, creating a rustic vegetable landscape.
- Add diced tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, black pepper, dried thyme, and rosemary directly into the crock pot, distributing seasonings evenly.
- Cover and cook on low temperature for 6-8 hours, allowing ingredients to meld together and develop deep, comforting flavors.
- Gently stir the stew during the last hour of cooking to ensure even heat distribution and prevent sticking.
- Check meat tenderness and vegetable softness before serving; adjust seasoning if needed with additional salt and pepper.
- Serve hot in deep bowls, allowing the rich, hearty stew to warm and satisfy hungry diners.
Notes
- Elevate the beef’s flavor by thoroughly caramelizing the meat during browning, creating a rich golden-brown exterior that locks in intense taste.
- Enhance the stew’s texture by cutting vegetables uniformly, ensuring consistent cooking and a more appealing presentation.
- Reduce fat content by using lean ground beef or substituting with ground turkey for a lighter protein option without compromising delicious depth.
- Transform this classic recipe into a gluten-free version by replacing wheat flour with cornstarch or potato starch as a thickening alternative.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg