Description
This Slow Cooker Hamburger Stew is a hearty and comforting one-pot meal featuring tender potatoes, carrots, and peas simmered with ground beef, tomatoes, and a blend of savory herbs. Perfect for busy days, it requires minimal prep and delivers rich flavors with the convenience of slow cooking.
Ingredients
Vegetables and Herbs
- 2 lbs. russet potatoes, peeled and diced into 1-inch cubes
- 1/2 lb. carrots (about 4 carrots), peeled and sliced
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp dried rosemary
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ¼ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 15oz. can stewed tomatoes (with juices)
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 cup frozen peas
Instructions
- Prepare Vegetables: Peel and dice the potatoes into 1-inch cubes, peel and slice the carrots, dice the onion, and mince the garlic. Add all these vegetables along with dried rosemary, thyme, and black pepper into a slow cooker (5 quarts or larger).
- Brown the Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until no longer pink, then drain off any excess fat. Transfer the browned beef into the slow cooker on top of the vegetables.
- Add Liquids and Sauces: Add the canned stewed tomatoes including the juices, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and soy sauce to the slow cooker. Stir gently to combine the ingredients evenly, though the broth may not cover everything completely.
- Slow Cook the Stew: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours until the potatoes and carrots are tender and flavors melded.
- Thicken and Finish: After cooking, remove the lid and stir the stew. Use the back of a spoon to mash some of the potatoes against the side of the cooker to thicken the broth slightly. Then, add the frozen peas directly to the stew and stir to incorporate.
- Final Taste and Serve: Taste the stew and add extra salt if desired, depending on the saltiness of your beef broth. Serve the hot stew with bread for dipping, making it a comforting and filling meal.
Notes
- You can adjust the seasoning and salt according to your preference and the salt content of the broth used.
- If you prefer a thicker stew, you can mash more potatoes or add a slurry of cornstarch and water at the end and cook for a few more minutes.
- This recipe is excellent for meal prepping as it tastes even better the next day.
- For a leaner version, use lean ground beef or substitute with ground turkey.
- Make sure your slow cooker is at least 5 quarts to comfortably accommodate all ingredients.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours (high) or 8 hours (low)
- Category: Stew
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American