Slow Cooker Poor Man’s Stew
A hearty slow cooker stew made with ground beef, russet potatoes, carrots, onion, tomato paste, and classic spices. Simple, budget-friendly, and perfect for cold nights.
8 Servings
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds Russet potatoes peeled and diced
- 3 medium carrots peeled and sliced
- 1 medium yellow onion chopped
- 1 pound ground beef cooked and drained
- 2 cups water
- 1 6-ounce can tomato paste
- 1 garlic clove minced
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
Prepare the Ground Beef
- In a large skillet or Dutch oven set over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned and fully cooked. Use a spoon to break the meat into crumbles while cooking. Once done, drain off any excess fat.
Assemble the Base in the Slow Cooker
- Transfer the cooked ground beef into the basin of a slow cooker. Add the diced potatoes, sliced carrots, chopped onion, and minced garlic.
Combine the Seasoning Mixture
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the tomato paste and water until smooth. Add the dried oregano and onion powder to the tomato mixture and stir well to combine.
Add Sauce to the Slow Cooker
- Pour the seasoned tomato mixture over the meat and vegetables in the slow cooker. Gently stir to ensure even distribution.
Slow Cook
- Cover the slow cooker with the lid. Cook on low for 7 hours, or until the vegetables are tender and the flavors are well developed.
Serve
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as desired. Serve warm, accompanied by buttered sandwich bread or your preferred side.
Notes
This recipe is naturally gluten-free as written. However, ensure the following:
- Use certified gluten-free tomato paste (some brands may add thickeners with gluten).
- If serving with bread, choose gluten-free sandwich bread or omit entirely.
- Double-check all dried herbs and spices for potential cross-contamination.