This quick and easy, family-friendly Hamburger Stew is made in about forty minutes on the stovetop. It is full of nature’s wholesome flavor and goodness, making it a hearty, satisfying meal that the whole family can enjoy.
Warm and hearty, this hamburger stew is a perfect one-pot meal for a cozy night in. With simple ingredients and easy directions, this recipe is a must-try for any home cook. This stew is delicious year-round, but I love to serve it during those chilly winter months. It is a hearty meal, but serve it with cheddar biscuits, sweet potato cornbread, or sweet maple dinner rolls for a company-worthy meal.
Why You’ll Love It
- This fun and easy recipe comes together quickly, making it doable for a weeknight meal.
- Hamburger Stew is made with wholesome ingredients, making it a hearty meal you can feel good about feeding your family.
- The ingredients for this recipe are easily found at any grocery store, and you may already have many of them on hand.
- Ground beef is still one of the most economically friendly meats you can cook.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients in the recipe card below.
- Ground beef: with a bit of fat in it, like 85/15. Fat gives the beef flavor.
- Onion: preferably a sweet yellow onion like a yellow or Vidalia onion
- Carrots: or parsnips
- Potatoes: preferably Yukon Gold, Russet Potatoes break down too much
- Canned tomatoes: fire-roasted or diced
- Beef broth: low sodium is best so you can control the amount of sodium
- Peas: frozen sweet peas. Do not use canned as they will get mushy.
How to Make Hamburger Stew
This is the summary version; see the recipe card below for the complete list of ingredients and the instructions.
First, brown the ground beef over medium heat in a Dutch Oven or heavy soup pot. When it is about halfway done, add the onion and cook until it is soft and the ground beef is brown. Then, reduce the heat to low and add the garlic, oregano, crushed rosemary, thyme leaves, and parsley. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
Now, add the potatoes, carrots, and fire-roasted tomatoes. Whisk the beef broth and tomato paste and pour it into the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil. Then simmer covered with a lid for 15 minutes. Finally, add the peas and simmer covered until the potatoes and carrots are tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Preparation Tips and Storage
- Use ground beef or chili-ground beef with a bit of fat. Drain any excess grease after cooking the onions. Honestly, the fat gives it flavor.
- Peel your carrots for aesthetic purposes. The small amount of effort is worth the bright, beautiful orange color.
- If desired, substitute diced tomatoes for the fire-roasted tomatoes.
- I prefer Yukon gold potatoes for this recipe. But red potatoes or Russet potatoes work well, too.
- Store cooled leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Swap ground beef for other ground meat like ground chicken, turkey, or pork.
First, cool the dish to room temperature. Freeze in a Ziploc freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stovetop on low or microwave at reduced power.
Complete everything on the stovetop through step 2. Transfer the contents to a crock pot. Whisk together the beef broth and tomato paste in a bowl or large measuring cup. Stir it into the pot. Cook on low for 4-5 hours. Add the peas and cook on low for 1-2 hours or until the potatoes and carrots are tender.
More Stew Recipes
Easy Hamburger Stew Recipe
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds ground beef
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon crushed rosemary
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- 4 carrots peeled and chopped
- 2 Yukon Gold potatoes cut into small cubes
- 1 14.5 ounce can fire-roasted tomatoes
- 1¼ cup low-sodium beef broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- ⅔ cup frozen peas
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a Dutch oven or heavy stockpot over medium heat, brown the ground beef. When it is about halfway through the browning process, add the onion and cook until the onion is soft and the ground beef is browned, approximately 5-6 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
- Reduce heat to low. Add garlic, oregano, parsley, rosemary, and thyme; cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add the potatoes, carrots, and fire-roasted tomatoes.
- In a bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together the beef broth and tomato paste. Stir it into the pot. Simmer covered for 15 minutes.
- Add the peas and simmer covered until the potatoes and carrots are tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
- Use ground beef or chili grind beef with a little bit of fat in it, draining any excess grease after cooking the onions. Honestly, it is the fat that gives it flavor.
- For aesthetic purposes, peel your carrots. The small amount of effort is well worth the bright, beautiful orange color.
- If desired, substitute diced tomatoes for the fire-roasted tomatoes.
- I prefer Yukon gold potatoes for this recipe. But red potatoes or Russet potatoes work well, too.
- Store cooled leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
Nutrition
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Joy
Love this stew! God Bless you for sharing.
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Joy!
Bj Williams
I Don’t Use Onions In Anything! I use a little onion powder. Very Good!
Beth Pierce
Glad that you liked it, BJ!
Melissa C
This was so yummy and a great weeknight meal for the family! They loved it! Thanks for the great recipe, Beth!
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Melissa!
Cherrie.
I found this hamburger stew recipe only today and I’ve decided to make it but I substituted the peas for the 1/2 cup to a 1 cup of broccoli 🥦 and let it finish cooking and simmering with the seasoning and potatoes and carrots and this actually is good with buttermilk biscuits thanks for the recipe God bless you yours in Christian love chef cherrie
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Cherrie! God bless you as well. So glad that you liked the hamburger stew.
Jenny
Such a quick, easy, and delicious stew. With the rising cost of beef it was nice to save some money and make it with hamburger!
Beth Pierce
I agree, Jenny!
Tammy G
This was so hearty and comforting! With these still brisk Spring days, this was wonderful and whole family enjoyed it! Thanks for the recipe.
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Tammy!
karen
omg I’ve never heard of hamburger stew! I am doing this for sure, I looooove stews especially non-traditional ones…yummmmm
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Karen! Enjoy!
Adrienna
This is such a great dinner! Perfect for a busy day too! Love it, holding on to this delicious recipe.
Larissa
Beth, thanks for sharing this easy hamburger stew recipe! It Is the perfect comfort meal for chilly evenings, and I love that it’s so simple to make.
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Larissa!
Yadira
My daughter loves a stew. She has been asking me to make one for a while, so I tried out your recipe for hamburger stew and it was very popular with everybody. A lovely warming and hearty dish on a chilly evening and full of flavor too.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Yadira! I am so glad that everyone liked the stew!
ReeAnn S
We love this stew. I have been making this for years. It is easy, delicious and econonically feasable for large families.