I remember coming in from a wet walk as a kid and the whole house smelled like a warm, simple dinner, the kind that made you drop your wet shoes at the door and sit down at the table right away, and that memory is exactly why I make a pot of Hamburger Stew on slow, gray evenings, because it feels like a kitchen hug that takes very little fuss.
Why You’ll Love It
This Hamburger Stew is the sort of everyday comfort food that fits busy weeknights and quiet weekends alike, and it loves picky eaters and hungry kids because the flavors are familiar and forgiving; it stretches easily, reheats well, and fills the house with a homely aroma that makes everyone feel cared for.
Serves 4
Prep Time: 20 minutes |
Cook Time: 45 minutes |
Total Time: 65 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (80 20)
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 3 medium potatoes peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes (about 3 cups)
- 2 large carrots sliced into 1 4 inch rounds (about 1 1 2 cups)
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 4 cups low sodium beef broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or butter
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Heat a large heavy pot over medium heat and add the oil, when shimmering add the diced onion and cook until softened about 5 minutes, add the garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the ground beef and cook breaking it up with a wooden spoon until browned and no longer pink, drain excess fat if there is a lot but leave a little for flavor.
- Sprinkle the flour over the beef and stir to coat, cook 1 minute to remove the raw flour taste, then stir in the tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce.
- Add the potatoes carrots beef broth thyme and bay leaf, bring to a gentle boil then reduce heat to a simmer, cover and cook 25 to 30 minutes until the potatoes and carrots are tender.
- Stir in the frozen peas and simmer uncovered 5 minutes more to heat through, taste and season with salt and pepper, remove the bay leaf.
- Spoon into bowls and sprinkle with chopped parsley, serve with slices of crusty bread.
Recipe Variations
- Hearty Vegetable Boost swap half the beef for chopped mushrooms and add celery and parsnip for extra vegetables and a deeper flavor.
- Slow Cooker Version brown the meat and onions then transfer everything to a slow cooker and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.
- Lighter Lean Beef use 90 10 ground beef or lean turkey and reduce oil to 1 tablespoon for fewer calories.
- Tomato Forward add a can of diced tomatoes and reduce the broth by 1 cup for a tangier stew.
Make Ahead: You can prepare the stew base and cool it completely then refrigerate for up to 3 days, reheat gently on the stove and add the peas just before serving, or freeze cooled stew in airtight containers for up to 3 months and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make hamburger stew in a slow cooker
Yes brown the meat and onions first then add everything to the slow cooker and cook on low 6 to 8 hours or on high 3 to 4 hours, add delicate vegetables like peas near the end so they dont overcook
How can I make the stew thicker
Simmer uncovered to reduce the liquid or stir a slurry of 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 1 tablespoon cold water into the stew and simmer until slightly thickened
Is this recipe freezer friendly
Yes it freezes well once completely cooled, store in airtight containers for up to 3 months and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating
Can I use ground turkey instead of beef
Yes ground turkey works fine, brown it the same way and consider adding a little extra oil for richness since turkey is leaner
Hamburger Stew
This Hamburger Stew is the sort of everyday comfort food that fits busy weeknights and quiet weekends alike, and it loves picky eaters and hungry kids because the flavors are familiar and forgiving; it stretches easily, reheats well, and fills the house with a homely aroma that makes everyone feel cared for.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (80 20)
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 3 medium potatoes peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes (about 3 cups)
- 2 large carrots sliced into 1 4 inch rounds (about 1 1 2 cups)
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 4 cups low sodium beef broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or butter
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Heat a large heavy pot over medium heat and add the oil, when shimmering add the diced onion and cook until softened about 5 minutes, add the garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the ground beef and cook breaking it up with a wooden spoon until browned and no longer pink, drain excess fat if there is a lot but leave a little for flavor.
- Sprinkle the flour over the beef and stir to coat, cook 1 minute to remove the raw flour taste, then stir in the tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce.
- Add the potatoes carrots beef broth thyme and bay leaf, bring to a gentle boil then reduce heat to a simmer, cover and cook 25 to 30 minutes until the potatoes and carrots are tender.
- Stir in the frozen peas and simmer uncovered 5 minutes more to heat through, taste and season with salt and pepper, remove the bay leaf.
- Spoon into bowls and sprinkle with chopped parsley, serve with slices of crusty bread.
Conclusion
This Hamburger Stew is the kind of easy, reliable meal that becomes part of the household rotation because it is forgiving, nourishing, and full of familiar flavors that comfort everyone at the table, so set aside a cozy evening to make a pot, tweak the vegetables to your liking, and know that even small changes will still yield a warm, satisfying dinner that feels like home.
