Poor Mans Stew Crockpot Recipe Easy Hearty Comfort Meal to Make
A simple, hearty slow cooker stew made with beef chuck roast, potatoes, carrots, and savory herbs. This comforting meal is easy to prepare and perfect for cozy nights.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7-8 hours (low) or 4-5 hours (high)
- Total Time: 7 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes (low) or 4 hours 15 minutes to 5 hours 15 minutes (high)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 4 large russet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
- 3 large carrots, peeled and sliced into thick rounds
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional: 1 cup frozen peas
- Optional: 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Chop beef into 1-inch cubes, peel and chunk potatoes, slice carrots, chop onion, and mince garlic.
- Optional: Heat a skillet on medium-high with a tablespoon of oil and brown beef cubes in batches until all sides have a crust.
- Place potatoes, carrots, and onion in the bottom of the crockpot. Add minced garlic on top. Nestle beef cubes evenly over the veggies.
- In a bowl, whisk together beef broth, water, tomato paste, thyme, rosemary, Worcestershire sauce (if using), salt, and pepper. Pour over meat and vegetables. Add bay leaves.
- Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until beef is fork-tender and potatoes are soft but not mushy.
- About 30 minutes before serving, stir in frozen peas if using. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Remove bay leaves before serving. If stew is too watery, cook uncovered for the last 20 minutes to reduce liquid.
- Optional: For thicker stew, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water and stir into crockpot during the last hour.
Notes
Searing the beef before slow cooking adds depth of flavor but can be skipped. Layer vegetables at the bottom for even cooking. Adjust salt near the end to avoid over-seasoning. Use slow cooker liner bags for easy cleanup. For thicker stew, use a cornstarch slurry in the last hour.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1.5 cups
- Calories: 375
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 30
Keywords: poor man's stew, crockpot stew, slow cooker recipe, beef stew, comfort food, easy dinner, hearty meal