Poor Man’s Stew Slow Cooker

Poor Man’s Stew Slow Cooker. My dad’s go-to meal in hard times. He made this yummy, filling stew with just 4 things. It tastes super good, like a big treat!

This simple stew saves the day with beef, potatoes, carrots, and onion mix. Toss in a slow cooker for hours, and it turns into thick, tasty gravy magic. Perfect for busy days or tight budgets—warm, hearty bites that fill you up like a hug from Dad.

Makes: 6 bowls

What You Need

• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef (not too fatty)

• 4 big potatoes, peeled and chopped into small cubes

• 4 big carrots, peeled and chopped into small pieces

• 2 packs (1 ounce each) onion soup mix

• 1 1/2 cups water (add more if you want)

Poor Man’s Stew Slow Cooker Making Steps

1. Cook the meat: Heat a big pan on medium-high. Put in the beef and break it up with a spoon. Cook until brown all over, no pink left. Takes 7-10 minutes. Spoon off extra fat if too greasy, but leave some for taste.

2. Put veggies in cooker: In a 5-6 quart slow cooker, add potato cubes and carrot pieces. Spread them flat at the bottom. They soak up yummy juices.

3. Add meat and mix: Spoon beef over veggies. Shake onion soup mix on top so it covers everything.

4. Add water: Pour 1 1/2 cups water over it all. Stir a little to wet the mix and push some down. Don’t mix too much—the cooker does the work!

5. Cook slow: Put on the lid. Cook it on LOW flame for 6-8 hours or HIGH heat for 3-4 hours. Potatoes and carrots get soft, and it bubbles. Juice turns thick like gravy from potato starch.

6. Fix it up: If too thick, add water bit by bit. Taste (it’s hot!) and add salt or pepper if needed—soup mix is salty.

7. Eat! Stir well so meat, carrots, and potatoes get gravy. Scoop into bowls hot from the cooker.