Slow Cooker Poor Man’s Stew

Ingredients

For the stew base::
1 lb ground beef (I prefer using Laura’s Lean for less grease in the crock pot)
4 russet potatoes (peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes)
5 carrots (sliced into 1/2-inch thick rounds)
1 onion
For the seasoning mixture::
14 oz diced tomatoes (I use Hunt’s for the best juice-to-tomato ratio)
2.5 cups beef broth (gives a much deeper savory flavor to the vegetables)
1.5 tsp salt
1.25 tsp pepper
2 tsp italian seasoning
1 tsp onion powder
2 tsp garlic (freshly minced for best aroma)
1 bay leaf
Instructions

Peel and cut the russet potatoes into 1-inch cubes, placing them in a bowl of cold water to prevent browning. Slice the carrots into 1/2-inch thick rounds. Dice the onion into bite-sized pieces. Mince the garlic fresh—this makes a real difference in the aroma compared to pre-minced. Have all vegetables prepped and ready before you start browning the beef.
In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it into small crumbles as it cooks, about 5-7 minutes. This step develops deeper flavor through the Maillard reaction and renders excess fat—something you want to do before the crock pot since the long cooking won’t brown the meat. Drain any excess grease before transferring to the crock pot.
Transfer the browned beef to your crock pot. Add the potatoes from Step 1 (drain the water first), carrots, onion, and minced garlic. Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juice and the beef broth. The broth really does give a deeper savory flavor compared to using just water, so it’s worth using the good stuff here.
Add the salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, onion powder, and bay leaf to the crock pot. Stir everything together until the seasonings are evenly distributed. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours if you’re short on time. The longer, slower cooking allows the flavors to meld and the potatoes to become tender without falling apart
Remove the bay leaf from the stew. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed—I often find a small pinch of extra salt brings everything together beautifully at the end. Serve the stew warm in bowls. This dish is hearty and comforting as-is, perfect for feeding a family on a budget.