Slow Cooker Ground Beef Vegetable Stew

This hearty slow cooker beef stew is an old-fashioned comfort meal made with seasoned ground beef, potatoes, carrots, and a rich beef broth. It’s an inexpensive recipe that easily feeds a crowd and tastes even better the next day.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef
• 4 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 4 large carrots, sliced
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 4 cups beef broth
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
• 2 tablespoons cold water (optional)
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

1. Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it into small crumbles. Drain excess grease.
2. Add the cooked beef to the slow cooker.
3. Add the potatoes, carrots, and diced onion.
4. Pour in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce.
5. Season with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
6. Stir everything together.
7. Cover and cook on LOW for 7–8 hours or HIGH for 4–5 hours, until the vegetables are tender.
8. If you prefer a thicker stew, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water. Stir into the slow cooker during the last 20 minutes of cooking.
9. Serve hot with crusty bread or buttered biscuits.

Optional Additions

• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 8 oz sliced mushrooms
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 bay leaf (remove before serving)

Servings

Serves 8 people.