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This Slow Cooker Poor Man’s Stew is a cozy favorite that everyone loves. 

This Poor Man’s Stew is a delicious, comforting, hearty and budget friendly slow cooker meal.  Ground beef, potatoes and carrots slow cook in a savory tomato base.  This is always a family favorite.

I love delicious and easy dinners that I can just throw in the slow cooker and I know that everyone will love and this Poor Man’s Stew (sometimes called shipwreck stew) is one of our favorites.

I love that I can just throw everything in the slow cooker and have a delicious, flavorful comforting stew that everyone really enjoys.  Whenever I find a dinner that everyone in my house eats that is amazing because I have some picky eaters!  And for it to be in the slow cooker? That’s a double win!

I love that this hearty stew is made with simple ingredients.  This is the ultimate comfort food for those chilly evenings that the whole family will love.

This Poor Man’s Stew is full of flavor and I love to make it when the weather starts to get chilly.  This is a hearty dish that is budget-friendly.  Unlike regular stew that uses pricey cuts of beef this stew uses ground beef which is much more affordable, hence the name. 

This perfect stew also gets bulked up with carrots and potatoes which are also cheap and really help this dish go further.  

I love that you can customize this to your family’s taste, make it spicy, add your favorite veggies, add your favorite seasonings, you can totally make this recipe your own.  

This is great served with a little side salad and some french bread or crackers for dipping in the thick, rich stew. 

Everyone is feeling the pinch with the grocery bill right now and you can’t get much cheaper than ground beef and a few other ingredients.  So this is a fabulous dinner when you are trying to save a few pennies and it makes a ton!  This is a great way to have a hearty meal when you are on a food budget. The leftovers are amazing! It is my favorite budget-friendly dish.

This is one of my favorite go-tos when it is chilly outside.  It keeps everyone warm and fills all the tummies.  This is such an easy meal for those cold winter nights that is even better the next day!

Next time you want a family-friendly dinner even the pickiest kids will love throw these ingredients together and let the slow cooker take care of the rest! 

I promise your entire family will love these Slow Cooker Poor Mans Stew. 

You will want to make this dinner again and again! We do!

You will love this recipe because it is

• Easy and delicious.
• Family-friendly.
• Budget-friendly.
• Full of flavor.
• A set it-and forget-it meal.
• Perfect for weeknights.
• Picky eater approved.
• Cozy dinner.
• Hearty, comforting dish. 
• Easy dinner recipe.

My favorite slow cooker for this recipe is this Hamilton Beach one.

Can I freeze this delicious stew?

You can freeze this after cooking.  The potatoes might not be quite the same texture but it should still taste delicious!

Can I use any protein?

Yes, you can use any ground meat you like, beef, chicken, turkey, pork.  You could even use diced up chicken tenderloins. 

What should I serve this with?

This is a great dish on it’s own but it is really good with a salad or some french bread on the side for dipping.  I actually like to serve it with this Classic Corn Casserole.

Can I use different veggies?

Sure!! Add whichever veggies you have on hand.  Squash is great in this as is zucchini.  I like it with corn or lima beans.  You can also use green beans or peas in this. 

 

Ingredients used

• Ground Beef – I like to use brown ground beef for this ground beef stew. You could also use ground turkey.
• Russet Potatoes – Wash em, peel em, chop em.
• Large Carrots – Peel them with a potato peeler and chop into coins.
• Small Onion – I often take a shortcut and use chopped frozen onion. 
• Garlic – I use jarred but feel free to use fresh, or even powder if you want.
• Beef Broth – Low sodium is what I use to cut down on the sodium.
• Tomato Paste – This helps thicken the base of the stew and gives it a delicious flavor.
• Petite Diced Tomatoes – You can leave these out if you do not like chunks of tomatoes. You could also substitute tomato sauce.
• Sugar – This cuts the acidity in the sauce.
• Italian Seasoning – Just a little bit for flavor. 
• Garlic Salt – For flavor. I like to use Lawry’s. You can also use garlic powder.
• Black Pepper – Fresh ground is great but use what you have. 
• Onion Powder – You can also use dried minced if that is what you have.

 

How to make Slow Cooker Poor Man’s Stew

 

1. FULL RECIPE BELOW
2. Place your browned and drain ground beef in the crock pot.
3. Add your chopped potatoes, carrots, onion, garlic, beef broth, tomato paste, petite tomatoes, sugar, italian seasoning, garlic salt, black pepper, and onion powder in the slow cooker.
4. Stir everything to combine. 
5. Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 4 hours or until potatoes are tender.
6. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.

Love hearty, set-it-and-forget-it dinners? These cozy slow cooker meals are perfect for chilly nights and packed with comforting flavors:

• Slow Cooker Mississippi Beef Stew
  Budget-friendly stew with beef, baby potatoes, carrots, ranch seasoning, brown gravy, pepperoncini, and butter—simply satisfying.

• Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff Soup
  Tender beef, mushrooms, onion soup mix, broth, and noodles come together in a creamy, savory broth topped with sour cream.

• Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy
  Simple yet delicious—stew beef slow-cooked in a rich gravy made with French onion soup, beef broth, ketchup, and seasonings. Perfect over mashed potatoes or noodles.

• Slow Cooker Steak and Potato Soup
  Steak chunks and potatoes slow cook into a creamy, hearty soup finished with heavy cream and topped with bacon, cheese, and scallions.

• Slow Cooker Teriyaki Beef
  A flavorful five-ingredient meal: stew beef simmered in teriyaki sauce with garlic and veggies, served best over rice.

• Slow Cooker Beef Stew
  A classic slow cooker favorite—tender beef, carrots, potatoes, and onions simmered in a rich, hearty broth for the perfect comfort meal.