When I need a dependable dinner that feels hearty without asking much from me, this slow cooker 5-ingredient poor man’s stew is the one I come back to again and again. It’s a budget-friendly, old-fashioned kind of meal built from simple pantry and freezer staples, and the slow cooker does the heavy lifting. Pouring beef broth right over raw ground beef might seem almost too easy, but as it cooks low and slow with potatoes, onion, and carrots, everything turns into a rich, cozy stew that tastes like you worked much harder than you did.
This stew is lovely with buttered bread, warm biscuits, or saltine crackers for soaking up the broth. If you want to stretch dinner a little further, serve it with a simple green salad, steamed green beans, or even a scoop of rice on the side. For my family, I like to set out shredded cheese, chopped parsley, and black pepper so everyone can finish their own bowl just the way they like it.
Slow Cooker 5-Ingredient Poor Man’s Stew
Servings: 6
Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
4 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced
3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
1 medium yellow onion, diced
4 cups beef broth
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Raw ground beef, diced potatoes, sliced carrots, onion, and beef broth arranged for the stew
Raw ground beef, diced potatoes, sliced carrots, onion, and beef broth arranged for the stew
Directions
1. Add the raw ground beef to the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker, breaking it up slightly with your hands or a spoon. Scatter the diced potatoes, sliced carrots, and diced onion over the top. Sprinkle with the salt and black pepper.
NEXT PAGE