Crock Pot Hamburger Stew

The smell of this Crock Pot Hamburger Stew simmering all day is enough to bring the whole family to the kitchen.
This slow-cooked classic combines tender potatoes, savory ground beef, and wholesome veggies in a tomato-based broth that fills your home with warmth and nostalgia.

With just a few pantry staples and a little prep, you can create a delicious and hearty meal that feels like a hug in a bowl. It’s budget-friendly, perfect for leftovers, and ideal for cold nights or when you want comfort without the fuss. Let your slow cooker do the heavy lifting while you go about your day, dinner will be ready when you are.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

1 pound ground beef
4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
1 (15-ounce) can corn, drained
1 (15-ounce) can peas, drained
1 (15-ounce) can green beans, drained
1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
2 cups beef broth
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon dried basil
½ teaspoon dried oregano
Optional: Fresh parsley for garnish

Directions:

In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until no longer pink. Drain the excess fat.
Add the cooked beef to the crock pot.
Stir in potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, corn, peas, green beans, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beef broth.
Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, basil, and oregano.
Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until vegetables are tender.
Stir gently before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 6 hours (Low) or 3 hours (High) | Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
Kcal: 320 kcal | Servings: 6 servings

Crock Pot Hamburger Stew: The Ultimate Comfort Food Classic

When the weather cools down and you crave something hearty and warming, there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a bowl of Crock Pot Hamburger Stew. This slow cooker staple combines the rich, savory flavor of ground beef with the comforting goodness of tender vegetables all simmered in a tomato-based broth. It’s more than just a stew, it’s a warm hug in a bowl, perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prepping, or serving to a hungry crowd.

What makes this dish so universally loved is its simplicity. It uses pantry staples that are affordable, accessible, and require minimal preparation. With just a bit of chopping and browning at the start, your slow cooker takes over, filling your home with an irresistible aroma as everything cooks to perfection.

A Homestyle Dish Rooted in Tradition

Hamburger stew, often referred to as ground beef vegetable stew, is a humble dish that originated as a way to stretch simple ingredients to feed a family. Historically, it grew in popularity during difficult economic times because it made use of inexpensive ground meat and canned or fresh vegetables that were readily available. Like other “one-pot” dishes, it gained traction for being both practical and delicious.

The invention of the slow cooker (Crock Pot) in the 1970s revolutionized how families cooked stews and soups. By shifting this stovetop meal into a set-it-and-forget-it slow-cooked masterpiece, Crock Pot Hamburger Stew became a weeknight favorite, cherished by busy parents and home cooks alike.

Why You’ll Love This Hamburger Stew

There are countless reasons to keep this recipe in your regular meal rotation:

Effortless Prep: After browning the beef and dicing the vegetables, the slow cooker does all the heavy lifting.
Deep, Developed Flavor: Slow cooking allows all the ingredients to meld together beautifully, delivering a depth of flavor that stovetop cooking can’t match.
Customizable: Whether you’re cleaning out your fridge or want to substitute canned goods for fresh, this recipe welcomes swaps.
Nutritious & Filling: Packed with protein, fiber, and vitamins from the vegetables, it’s a balanced meal all in one bowl.
Budget-Friendly: Ground beef and canned veggies make this meal affordable without compromising on taste.

Key Ingredients and Their Roles

Every ingredient in this stew plays an important role in building the dish’s texture, flavor, and nutritional profile:

Ground Beef: The star of the dish. Use lean or regular beef depending on your taste and dietary preference. Browning beforehand adds richness and keeps the texture just right.
Potatoes: Yukon golds or russets work great. They soak up the flavor and provide satisfying substance.
Canned Vegetables: Corn, peas, and green beans add color, sweetness, and convenience. You can always opt for fresh or frozen alternatives.
Diced Tomatoes & Tomato Sauce: These provide the tangy, hearty base for the broth, tying all the elements together.
Beef Broth: Enhances the umami flavor of the ground beef and gives the stew its signature richness.
Carrots, Celery, Onion: These aromatic veggies build the flavor foundation, and slow cooking makes them irresistibly tender.
Seasonings: A simple blend of salt, pepper, garlic powder, oregano, and basil keeps things well-balanced without overpowering the natural flavors of the stew.

Cooking Tips and Tricks

Brown the Meat First: Always brown the beef before adding it to the slow cooker. This helps seal in flavor and prevents a greasy texture.
Layer Wisely: Place root vegetables like potatoes and carrots at the bottom, closer to the heat, to ensure they cook thoroughly.
Don’t Overfill: Leave some space in the crock to avoid overflow or uneven cooking. Most slow cookers work best filled 2/3 to 3/4 full.
Let It Rest: Once cooked, let the stew sit for 10-15 minutes before serving. This gives the flavors time to settle and thicken slightly.

Easy Variations and Customizations

This stew is wonderfully adaptable. Here are a few variations to try:

Add Pasta or Rice: Stir in cooked macaroni or rice before serving to make it even heartier.
Make It Spicy: Add a diced jalapeño or a teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes to give it a spicy kick.
Cheeseburger Style: Add shredded cheddar and a splash of mustard right before serving for a cheeseburger-inspired twist.
Low-Carb Version: Skip the potatoes and sub in chopped zucchini or cauliflower for a lighter version.
Southwest Style: Swap out peas and carrots for black beans and bell peppers, and add cumin and chili powder for a Tex-Mex take.

How to Store and Reheat

This dish is excellent for leftovers and even seems to get better with time:

Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freeze: Freeze portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheat: Warm in the microwave in 60-second bursts or reheat gently on the stovetop until piping hot.

What to Serve with Hamburger Stew

Although this stew is hearty enough to stand on its own, you can round out your meal with:

Crusty Bread: Perfect for soaking up every drop of the flavorful broth.
Green Salad: A fresh side balances the richness of the stew.
Cornbread: Adds a slightly sweet contrast to the savory stew.
Grilled Cheese: For the ultimate comfort food combo.

Health and Nutrition Highlights

One bowl of Crock Pot Hamburger Stew offers a balance of macronutrients and is naturally gluten-free (if using certified ingredients). It’s:

High in Protein: Thanks to the ground beef and peas.
Loaded with Fiber: From the vegetables and potatoes.
Rich in Vitamins: Carrots offer beta carotene, while tomatoes provide lycopene both powerful antioxidants.
Low in Sugar: There’s no added sugar, making it suitable for those watching their intake.

If you’re aiming to make it even lighter, opt for extra-lean beef, reduce the sodium by choosing low-salt canned vegetables and broth, or use fresh ingredients when available.

A Stew for All Seasons

Though it shines in the fall and winter, Crock Pot Hamburger Stew is a year-round winner. It’s great for:

Back-to-School Meal Plans
Freezer Meal Prepping
Cold Weather Comfort
Potluck Gatherings
Busy Weeknight Dinners

It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that never disappoints, simple enough for picky eaters yet flavorful enough for more refined palates.

Conclusion

Crock Pot Hamburger Stew is more than just another slow cooker recipe. It’s a testament to how comfort, flavor, and practicality can come together in one dish. It warms the belly, fills the home with nostalgic aromas, and offers nourishing simplicity without sacrificing taste.

Whether you’re new to slow cooking or a seasoned pro, this hamburger stew recipe is one you’ll return to again and again. With customizable options, easy prep, and family-friendly appeal, it belongs in every home cook’s recipe collection. Bookmark it, share it, and don’t be surprised when it becomes your go-to on those chilly days when only a big bowl of comfort will do.

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