This slow cooker ground beef recipe is a cozy way to enjoy a hearty meal without all the fuss. With just a few ingredients, you’re on your way to a comforting dish that’s perfect for chilly days.
This recipe solves busy weeknights by offering a simple, hands-off method, affordable ingredients, large portions, and stealthy veggie inclusion for picky eaters.
I often struggle to find recipes that work for everyone in my family. Since I have diabetes and my mom and siblings have gluten allergies, it can be tricky to prepare something everyone can enjoy. This stew is a great solution, as it’s simple and packed with flavor.
The best part is that it only takes about 15 minutes of prep, and then it cooks for a little over four hours in the slow cooker. This means you can set it and forget it while you focus on other things. Plus, using ground beef ensures it stays tender and the whole thing cooks up quicker than traditional stews.
If you love easy recipes, you’ll want to try making my Greek Chicken in Red Sauce next! It’s another great meal that’s simple to put together.
Table of contents
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Hearty Comfort : This stew offers a rich, savory flavor that warms you up on chilly days. It’s like a cozy hug in a bowl.
- Texture You’ll Love : Using ground beef avoids the tough textures often found in traditional stews. You get a smooth and satisfying eat with every bite.
- Convenient Meal Prep : This recipe is great for meal prep. You can store it easily, making it a simple solution for busy weeknights.
- Customizable Goodness : You can swap in whatever veggies you have around, making it as personal as you want. It’s all about what you enjoy most.
Easy Slow Cooker Hamburger Stew Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cool Time: Not applicable
- Cook Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 (1.5 cups each) 1x
- Category: stew
- Method: slow cooking
- Diet: low fat
Description
A hearty slow cooker hamburger stew, perfect for busy days and packed with flavor.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. russet potatoes, firm with no green spots
- 1/2 lb. carrots, about 4 carrots, fresh or frozen
- 1 yellow onion, heavy for its size
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp dried rosemary, crushed if needed
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme, fresh can be substituted
- 1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper, coarse
- 1 lb. ground beef, good quality
- 1 (15 oz.) can stewed tomatoes, avoid added sugar
- 2 cups beef broth, low-sodium preferred
- 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce, tamari can substitute for gluten-free
- 1 cup frozen peas, fresh can substitute
Instructions
- Brown the Ground Beef: Start by browning the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until it is nicely browned and fragrant. Drain any excess fat before transferring the beef to the slow cooker. This step is crucial to prevent the stew from becoming too greasy.
- Add Ingredients to Slow Cooker: Combine the browned beef with your veggies and seasonings in the slow cooker. Distribute everything evenly and stir gently to mix well. Avoid overfilling to prevent overflow during cooking.
- Set Cooking Time: Cover the slow cooker and set it for 4 hours on high or 8 hours on low. Watch for bubbling and enjoy the aroma.
- Check for Doneness: When the timer sounds, check if the veggies are tender and the beef is cooked through. If the stew appears too thin, mash a few potatoes directly in the stew to thicken.
- Serve and Enjoy: Ladle the stew into bowls and serve hot. Optionally, sprinkle fresh herbs on top for added flavor.
Notes
- Storage Tips: Divide into portions and refrigerate in an airtight container at 35-40 degrees F for 4-5 days. This stew can also be frozen for about 3 months.
- Expert Tips: For thicker stew, mash more potatoes or add a cornstarch slurry. Properly drain the fat from the browned beef to avoid greasiness. Use larger vegetable cuts to prevent them from becoming mushy. Fresh herbs can brighten the stew, but adjust quantities since they are stronger. Customize with available vegetables like bell peppers or corn.
- Reheating Instructions: Reheat in the microwave until heated through or in a pot on the stove over medium heat until warm.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve with crusty bread for dipping, a light side salad, or cheese on toast for a hearty meal.
- Recipe Variations: Substitute diced tomatoes for stewed tomatoes to change the flavor slightly. Use sweet potatoes in place of russet potatoes to switch it up. For a vegetarian version, substitute vegetable broth for beef broth.
- Ingredient Notes: Choose firm russet potatoes with no green spots. Fresh carrots are ideal, but frozen alternatives work in a pinch. Opt for heavy yellow onions for better flavor. Minced garlic is best, but garlic powder can serve as a substitute in small amounts. For the richest broth flavor, use low-sodium beef broth or homemade if available.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 348.27
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 751.72mg
- Fat: 11.83g
- Saturated Fat: N/A
- Unsaturated Fat: N/A
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 41.42g
- Fiber: 5.07g
- Protein: 20.15g
- Cholesterol: N/A
Ingredient Notes
- Russet potatoes: These spuds provide a creamy base for the stew. Look for ones that are firm with no green spots to stay away from bitterness.
- Carrots: They’ll add a nice sweetness. Fresh carrots are best, but you can sub with frozen ones if you’re in a pinch!
- Yellow onion: Onions bring depth to the stew. Choose ones that feel heavy for their size; they’ll have better flavor. Shallots can work too if you need a swap.
- Garlic: Minced garlic adds a savory kick. Fresh is key, but if you’re out, garlic powder can work in a pinch, just go easy on it!
- Dried rosemary: This herb adds a woodsy note. Crushed dried rosemary works well if you can’t find whole leaves; they’re easier to mix in.
- Dried thyme: Thyme has a lovely earthy flavor that complements the beef. If you don’t have dried, fresh is fine, just chop it well and use a bit more.
- Freshly cracked black pepper: Coarse pepper gives a nice little bite. Use a grinder for the freshest flavor; pre-ground won’t quite cut it here.
- Ground beef: Browning this before adding to the cooker builds flavor. Choose a good quality; you can swap for turkey if you’re feeling lighter.
- Stewed tomatoes: They add richness to the broth. Avoid anything with added sugar; you want that natural tomato goodness. Diced tomatoes work too!
- Beef broth: This is the heart of the stew’s flavor. Homemade is fantastic, but store-bought works too, just pick low-sodium for more control.
- Worcestershire sauce: It adds a complex umami flavor. Keep it on hand for other dishes too! Soy sauce can sub if you’re out, but adjust to taste.
- Soy sauce: This adds a savory depth, like Worcestershire. If you’re avoiding gluten, tamari’s a great alternative that’ll do the trick!
- Frozen peas: They’re easy to add and bring a pop of color. Fresh peas can work too, just cook them briefly before tossing them in.
Recipe Tips
- If the stew ends up too thin, trying mashing a few additional potatoes for added thickness. A cornstarch slurry can also work wonders.
- When browning ground beef, draining the excess fat is key to avoiding greasy textures in your stew.
- If vegetables turn out mushy, cutting them into larger pieces may help maintain their integrity. Adjusting the cooking time could also be beneficial.
- For added flavor, using fresh herbs instead of dried ones can brighten up your stew. Just remember to adjust the amounts since fresh herbs are often stronger!
- If you’re looking to customize the vegetables, anything in your fridge can work. Think about adding bell peppers or corn for some fun variations.
Serving Suggestions
Recipe variations
- You can use sweet potatoes instead of russet potatoes for a unique flavor and added nutrition in your stew.
- Add 1 tsp of smoked paprika or 1/2 tsp of cayenne pepper for a little kick to your dish.
- Either substitute the ground beef with ground turkey for a lighter option, or choose plant-based ground meat for a vegetarian twist.
- If you want to scale the recipe, use 3 lbs. of potatoes for a serving of six or 1 lb. of ground beef for a smaller batch.
Save This Recipe!
How to Store?
To keep your Easy Slow Cooker Hamburger Stew fresh, follow these storage tips:
Refrigeration: Divide stew into portions and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Freezing: Place cooled stew in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Reheating: Heat on the stove over medium heat or in the microwave until warmed through before serving.
Other Recipes You’ll Love
- Green Goddess Pasta Salad
- Fennel Pasta Salad
- Tomato Confit Pasta Salad
- Spinach Feta Stuffed Chicken with Sundried Tomato
If you enjoyed this slow cooker ground beef recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. I appreciate taking time to read about this recipe, thank you!
