Filled with tender beef, and vegetables in a rich broth this recipe is made in your slow cooker. Poor Man's Stew is affordable, savory, and delicious!
This slow cooker meal is perfect for busy weeknights and chilly evenings for a hearty, wholesome meal! Love this meal? Next time try slow cooker beef stew and dumplings next!
Why you'll love this recipe
Today we're talking about the best beef stew. This easy meal is hearty because it's made with ground beef and filled with vegetables.
✔️ It's an easy slow cooker recipe that comes together in a snap and it's souper delicious! Get it? soup-er? 😋
✔️ The whole family will love this recipe.
✔️ And the best part? It tastes even better the next day!
Ingredients
- ground meat - I choose 80/20 mix for more flavor. You can also use chuck roast or lean beef stew meat cut into 1-inch pieces. You can substitute ground chicken or ground turkey if you'd prefer.
- beef broth - choose low sodium when possible. Always review the breakdown of ingredients. Some broths are incredibly high in sodium!
- crushed tomatoes - if it's summertime and you're making this recipe, consider using fresh tomatoes - substitute four cups chopped tomatoes for one can of crushed tomatoes.
- cannelloni beans - can substitute with white beans if you'd prefer. Red potatoes would be a great substitute.
- medium onion, celery, garlic - for seasoning.
- frozen mixed vegetables - great freezer shortcut! Of course you can use fresh vegetables if you'd prefer.
- dried Italian seasoning, bay leaf, salt, and pepper for seasoning.
Instructions
This is an overview of instructions for the Shipwreck Stew. For detailed instructions just scroll down to the bottom!
- In a large skillet, brown ground beef, drain excess grease. Add cooked ground beef to the crockpot.
- Dice the onion and celery and add the chopped onion and celery to the slow cooker.
- Top with the frozen vegetables and sprinkle with the spices. Top with cannellini beans, crushed tomatoes, and beef stock.
- Cover - Cook for 8 hours on low heat or 6 hours on high. Remove the bay leaf prior to serving.
Equipment
6-quart crock pot
FAQ's
Though you can certainly use stew meat, ground beef is my first choice for this meal. I choose 80/20 or 85/15 fat content for flavor.
There are several ways to thicken this soup. You can use 3 tablespoons of flour or cornstarch, mixed with cold water until smooth and add it to the soup about an hour before it's done which will thicken the soup.
You can mix equal parts of flour/butter until smooth and creamy and add it to the crockpot an hour before it's done.
Or in this soup I do not rinse the beans - I add them, juice and all to the slow cooker to simmer along with the other ingredients. The starch slightly thickens the soup. No muss-no fuss!
Absolutely! It freezes great and if well sealed, will keep in the freezer up to three months.
I do not recommend it and here's why; canned vegetables are filled with sodium. You'll need to adjust the seasoning or the soup may be too salty. Additionally, because the canned vegetables have already been cooked/processed the texture may be mushy.
Tips
There's no reason to pay the higher price for a leaner mixture of ground beef, plus the higher fat content will lend more flavor to the soup!
And you can customize it with your favorites! Don't be afraid to toss in a can of mushrooms, extra can of beans, baby carrots, red potatoes, or diced russet potatoes. They would all be great additions and add delicious flavor!
Variations
- If you love pasta, it's a great addition to the soup. However you'll want to Cook it on the stovetop. Then add some to your bowl and ladle the soup over. Don't add it to the crockpot with the soup. It will absorb all the broth in the soup.
- Kidney beans, green beans, garbanzo beans or black beans are all terrific additions to the stew.
Storage
Refrigerate - allow the delicious stew to cool completely, store in an airtight container 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
Freezer - freeze up to three months.
Reheat - allow to thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Related recipes
Making soup in the crockpot is such an easy way to get dinner on the table! Check this out for a list of 40+ Easy Slow Cooker Recipes for a ton more easy meals!
- First up is this recipe for Crockpot Beef Stew - super yummy beef stew and filled with veggies, topped with dumplings, yum!
- Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy is a big favorite on the blog - I hope you try it soon!
- Whether it's a bowl of Potato Soup, Slow Cooker Enchilada or Corned Beef Stew, it's always good food. We eat soup all year round, how about you?
- This Crockpot Lasagna Soup Recipe is so simple to make and really a great meal.
- Be sure and try this recipe for Crockpot Chicken Taco Soup - loads of flavor and so easy to make!
- And this recipe for Irish Beef Stew is one of my favorites! You don't have to wait for st. Patrick's Day to enjoy this recipe!
- Bell Pepper Stew Recipe - easy to make, a vegetarian stew with loads of flavor!
- This Slow Cooker Paella Recipe is so very good and there's no standing at the stove all night!
In fact soup is such a large part of my life I've written a complete guide post sharing tips and tricks to make the BEST soup right in your own home - Click here to learn all about it!
Serving suggestions
If you're looking for something to pair with the savory beef stew - you know rolls are (almost!) always my first choice! or maybe some yummy pretzel bites? Yes!! Here are a few more of my favorites!
Iceberg Wedge Salad - simple to put together it's always a great side dish! Or how about a fresh Garden Salad - this one has a homemade creamy vinaigrette - delish!
Making homemade cornbread is easy. This starts with a box that's doll'd up. It bakes up with a crispy crust in a skillet.
Don't forget to check out my Amazon storefront for some of my favorite products! 🛍️
If you love this recipe please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating!
Poor Man's Stew Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 quart beef broth
- 28 oz. crushed tomatoes
- 15 oz. cannelli beans canned, do not drain
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 stalks celery diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 16 oz mixed vegetables use frozen mixed vegetables
- 2 teaspoon italian seasoning
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Brown hamburger, drain if desired - transfer beef to the slow cooker.
- Dice the onion, celery, and mince the garlic. Place it in the slow cooker on top of the beef.
- Next add the frozen vegetables and spices. Top with cannellini beans, crushed tomatoes and beef stock.
- Cover - Cook on low for 8 hours or 6 hours on high. Remove the bay leaf prior to serving.
- Optional - finishing the soup by stirring a couple of tablespoons of minced parsley into the big pot of soup will brighten the flavors. Topping individual bowls with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese? Heavenly!
Kathleen says
This is so delicious! Easy to follow and SOOO yummy, our family loved it!
Lois says
I made this soup today and it is outstanding in taste and texture. Love it. Will be making it again soon.
Bowl Me Over says
Wonderful! I'm so glad you enjoy this soup as much as we do. Thank you for letting me know!!