Easy Hamburger Stew Recipe (Budget-Friendly 1-Pot Meal!)

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Looking for the ultimate comfort food that won’t break the bank? This Hamburger Stew is a hearty, one-pot meal that brings together ground beef, tender vegetables, and rich, savory flavors in every spoonful. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort, making it ideal for families seeking quick dinner ideas that everyone will love.

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Why You’ll Love This Hamburger Stew

This classic hamburger stew is the definition of comfort food done right. Unlike traditional beef stew that requires expensive cuts of meat and hours of cooking, this version uses affordable ground beef and comes together in about an hour. It’s packed with protein, vegetables, and complex flavors that make it perfect for cold evenings when you need something warm and filling.​

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. With just one pot and basic pantry ingredients, you can create a satisfying meal that rivals any restaurant version. The flour creates a velvety gravy that coats every ingredient, while the Worcestershire sauce adds depth and umami that elevates the entire dish.​

What Makes This Recipe Special

This isn’t just another ground beef recipe it’s a complete meal in a bowl. The combination of lean protein, hearty potatoes, sweet carrots, and tender peas creates a nutritionally balanced dinner that kids and adults alike will devour. Plus, it’s incredibly versatile. You can easily adapt it based on what you have in your pantry, making it perfect for those nights when you need to use up vegetables before they go bad.​

The cooking method is foolproof. By browning the vegetables first with your frying pan, you develop deep, caramelized flavors that form the foundation of the stew. The flour coating on the meat thickens the broth naturally, eliminating the need for cornstarch or other thickeners later on.​

Ingredients You’ll Need

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Olive oil	1 tablespoon	For sautéing
Medium onion	1, chopped	Adds sweetness and depth
Celery	3 sticks, chopped	Provides aromatic base
Garlic	4 cloves, minced	Fresh is best
Lean ground beef	1 pound	90% lean recommended
All-purpose flour	3 tablespoons	Creates thick gravy
Tomato paste	6 ounce can	Concentrated tomato flavor
Beef broth	4 cups	Low-sodium preferred
Worcestershire sauce	1 tablespoon	Adds umami depth
Italian seasoning	1/2 teaspoon	Herb blend
Russet potatoes	2, peeled & diced	Starchy texture
Carrots	4 medium, peeled & sliced	Natural sweetness
Frozen peas	1 cup	Optional but recommended
Salt & pepper	To taste	Season generously

Equipment Needed

To make this delicious hamburger stew, you’ll need a few essential kitchen tools. A good quality pot or Dutch oven is crucial for even heat distribution and preventing scorching. You’ll also want a sharp chef’s knife for chopping vegetables, a sturdy cutting board, and a reliable wooden spoon or spatula from your kitchen utensils set for stirring.​

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the aromatic base: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and celery, sautéing for 5-7 minutes until softened and fragrant. This creates the flavor foundation for your stew.​

Add garlic: Stir in minced garlic (use your garlic press for easy prep) and cook for just 30 seconds. Be careful not to burn it, as burnt garlic turns bitter.​

Brown the beef: Add ground beef to the pot, breaking it up with your spoon as it cooks. Continue cooking for about 8 minutes until the meat is completely browned with no pink remaining. The browning creates rich, caramelized flavors.​

Create the roux: Sprinkle flour over the meat mixture and stir constantly for 1-2 minutes. This step is crucial it cooks out the raw flour taste and creates the base for your thick, luxurious gravy.​

Add tomato paste: Stir in the entire can of tomato paste, coating all the meat and vegetables. This concentrated ingredient provides deep tomato flavor without making the stew too watery.​

Build the stew: Pour in beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and Italian seasoning. Add diced potatoes (peeled with your peeler) and sliced carrots. Increase heat to high and bring everything to a rolling boil.​

Simmer to perfection: Once boiling, reduce heat to maintain a rapid simmer. Cover the pot with the lid slightly ajar to allow steam to escape. Cook for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until potatoes and carrots are fork-tender and the stew has thickened beautifully. If the stew gets too thick, add more broth. For a thicker consistency, continue cooking with the lid off.​

Finish with peas: Stir in frozen peas during the last few minutes of cooking. They only need 2-3 minutes to heat through and will maintain their bright green color and sweet flavor.​

Season and serve: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Measure accurately using your measuring cups and spoons set for perfect results every time.

Pro Tips for the Best Hamburger Stew

Choose lean ground beef (90% or higher) to minimize excess grease in your stew. If using fattier meat, drain the excess fat after browning. Cut vegetables into uniform sizes to ensure even cooking your chef’s knife makes this task much easier.​

Don’t skip the flour step. It’s what gives this stew its signature thick, gravy-like consistency that clings to every ingredient. For deeper flavor, consider adding a bay leaf during simmering and removing it before serving.​

Use a quality pot with a heavy bottom to prevent scorching during the long simmer time. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking, especially as the stew thickens.​

Storage and Reheating

Hamburger stew stores beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in an airtight container. In fact, many people find it tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together.​

To freeze, cool completely and transfer to freezer-safe containers, leaving about an inch of headspace for expansion. Frozen hamburger stew keeps for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop in your pot, adding a splash of broth if needed to restore the original consistency.​

Variations and Substitutions

This recipe is incredibly flexible. Swap russet potatoes for Yukon Gold or red potatoes for a creamier texture. Add green beans instead of peas, or include both for extra nutrition. For a richer flavor, use a combination of beef broth and red wine.​

If you’re preparing this in a slow cooker, brown the meat and vegetables first, then transfer everything to your slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. The blender can be used to puree a portion of the stew if you prefer a thicker, creamier base.​

Serving Suggestions

Serve this hearty stew with crusty bread, dinner rolls, or cornbread for soaking up that delicious gravy. A simple side salad prepared on your cutting board with fresh greens provides a nice contrast to the rich stew. For a complete meal, add a pat of butter on top just before serving for extra richness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this in an Instant Pot? Yes! Use the sauté function to brown the vegetables and meat, then add remaining ingredients and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes with a natural release.​

Why is my stew too thin? Continue simmering uncovered to evaporate excess liquid, or make a slurry with 2 tablespoons flour and 1/4 cup cold water, then stir it in and simmer for 5 minutes.​

Can I use ground turkey instead? Absolutely! Ground turkey works well, though you may want to add an extra tablespoon of oil since it’s leaner than beef.​

How do I prevent mushy vegetables? Cut them into larger chunks and don’t overcook. Check for doneness at 25 minutes they should be tender but still hold their shape.​

Can I add other vegetables? Yes! Green beans, corn, mushrooms, or parsnips all work beautifully in this stew.​

Nutritional Benefits

This hamburger stew provides a well-balanced meal with lean protein from ground beef, complex carbohydrates from potatoes, and vitamins from carrots and peas. Preparing vegetables with quality kitchen utensils ensures you retain maximum nutrients. Each serving delivers approximately 220 calories with a good balance of protein, healthy carbs, and essential vitamins.​

Why This Recipe Works

The combination of flour-dusted beef and tomato paste creates a naturally thick, rich gravy without relying on cream or heavy thickeners. The vegetables release their natural sugars during the long simmer, adding sweetness that balances the savory beef and tangy Worcestershire sauce. Every element works in harmony to create a deeply satisfying meal.​

Make It Your Own

Once you’ve mastered this basic recipe, experiment with different seasonings. Try adding smoked paprika for depth, cayenne for heat, or fresh herbs like thyme and rosemary. Use your mixing bowls to prep and organize ingredients before cooking for a smoother cooking experience.​

This hamburger stew proves that simple ingredients, when treated with care and cooked properly, can create extraordinary comfort food. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family on a budget or meal prepping for the week ahead, this recipe delivers consistent, delicious results every single time.

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