Slow Cooker Poor Man’s Stew – A Hearty, Budget-Friendly Classic
If you’re craving warm, comforting, homemade food but don’t want to break the grocery budget, Slow Cooker Poor Man’s Stew is the kind of recipe that becomes a repeat favorite. It’s rustic, deeply flavorful, nourishing, and perfect for days when you want dinner to cook itself. With simple, inexpensive ingredients like potatoes, carrots, onions, and ground beef, this stew proves that comfort food doesn’t have to be expensive.
Poor man’s stew has roots in Depression-era cooking—a style built on creativity, resourcefulness, and maximizing flavor using the most affordable ingredients. Over the decades, it has remained a family favorite because it is:
- hearty
- filling
- easy to make
- budget-friendly
- perfect for leftovers
The slow cooker elevates this simple dish even further by blending the flavors low and slow, transforming pantry basics into a rich, savory, satisfying stew without any effort.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Poor Man’s Stew
- Very low cost per serving
- Feeds a crowd or provides great leftovers
- Dump-and-go simplicity — no browning required if you’re in a hurry
- Warm, classic comfort food flavor
- Perfect for meal prep and freezer-friendly
Even picky eaters tend to love this meal because it’s familiar, mild, and cozy—like a rustic beef stew but simpler and more budget-friendly.
Ingredients
Slow Cooker Poor Man’s Stew
- 1 lb ground beef
- 4 medium potatoes, diced
- 3 carrots, sliced
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- Optional: 1 cup frozen peas (added in last 20 minutes)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the vegetables
Dice potatoes, slice carrots, and chop the onion. Add them directly to the slow cooker.
2. Add the ground beef
You can add the beef raw and crumble it, or brown it first for deeper flavor. Either way works perfectly.
3. Add seasonings and tomato paste
Stir in smoked paprika, parsley, onion powder, garlic, salt, pepper, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce.
4. Pour in broth
Add the beef broth and stir everything together well.
5. Slow cook
Cook on LOW for 7–8 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until potatoes are tender and stew is thickened.
6. Optional – add peas
If using peas, stir them in during the last 20 minutes.
7. Serve hot
Garnish with parsley, serve with crusty bread, or enjoy on its own.
Slow Cooker Poor Man’s Stew
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Add diced potatoes, sliced carrots, and diced onion to the slow cooker.
- Crumble ground beef over the vegetables or brown it first for richer flavor.
- Add garlic, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, parsley, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Pour in beef broth and stir everything together.
- Cook on LOW for 7–8 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours.
- Optional: Stir in peas 20 minutes before serving.
- Serve warm with bread or rice.
Notes
Tips for the Best Poor Man’s Stew
Use waxy potatoes
Yukon golds hold their shape best during long cooking.
Brown the beef for extra depth
If you have time, browning creates caramelized flavor, but skipping it saves prep time.
Adjust broth level
If you like a thicker stew, use 3 cups of broth instead of 4.
Low-sodium broth
This gives you better control over seasoning.
Variations
Italian Style
Add basil, oregano, and diced tomatoes.
Spicy Version
Add chili flakes, diced jalapeño, or cayenne.
Turkey or Chicken Version
Swap ground beef for ground turkey or chicken.
Vegetarian Poor Man’s Stew
Use lentils or chickpeas instead of beef and substitute vegetable broth.
Serving Suggestions
- With buttery dinner rolls
- Over mashed potatoes
- With rice or noodles
- With a green salad for balance
- Topped with shredded cheese
Storage & Meal Prep
- Refrigerate: Up to 4 days
- Freeze: Up to 3 months (cool fully before freezing)
- Reheat: Microwave or stovetop, add broth if needed to loosen
This stew gets even better the next day as the flavors deepen.
