This quick and easy family-friendly Hamburger Stew is made in about forty minutes right on the stovetop. It is full of nature’s wholesome flavor and goodness. It is 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.
Ingredients 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
- Onion – preferably a sweet yellow onion
- Garlic – fresh, of course
- Seasonings – dried oregano, dried parsley, crushed rosemary, and dried thyme leaves
- Carrots – or parsnips
- Potatoes – preferably Yukon Gold, Russet Potatoes break down too much
- Canned tomatoes – fire-roasted or diced
- Beef broth – low sodium
- Peas – frozen sweet peas
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 fully browned. 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 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Swap ground beef for other ground meat like ground chicken, ground turkey, or ground 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.
Easy Hamburger Stew Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed rosemary
- 1/2 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
- 1 1/4 cup low-sodium beef broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2/3 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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Anjali
This stew was so hearty and delicious and I love that it’s filled with veggies too! A true one pot meal!
Jenny
This recipe sounds so good! Making it today, have 2lbs if meat, so will add just a little extra seasonings to it. Can’t wait to try it!
Laura
Sounds and looks so yummy. Some dumplings on top would be a nice little addition, too. Will be trying this soon. Thank you for the recipe!
Beth Pierce
Dumplings on top of this would be delicious!
Mary
We made a simpler version of the Hamburger stew when we were camping. Hamburger meat, onions add a package of beef stew seasoning & a can of mixed vegetables. Brown meat & onions added stew seasoning following directions on pkg then add mixed veggies I added garlic powder, salt & pepper..we had cornbread or crackers. Taste great sitting around a camp fire with family & friends.
Beth Pierce
That does sound delicious Mary! Thanks for sharing!
Nancy Kirkendall
I make a similar stew that I have called poor man’s stew. I will definitely add carrots next time I make it! Looks so delicious!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Nancy!
Irina
This stew recipe sounds so comforting and delicious that I cannot wait to give it a try! It is perfect for a winter cold day. 🙂
LIsalia
Yummy! The BEST dinner. Hearty and filling for this cold winter time. My family loved it.
Chris Collins
I’m always looking for new stew recipes around this time of year, so I’ll definitely be giving this a go! 🙂
Lisa
Can you make this in the crockpot? If so, how long should you cook it?
sherree I lott
Yes, I braise the hamburger,makes its own broth. I cook it on low for 9 hours
Jenn
I love this recipe – I love that it is easy and quick, and I especially love that the kids actually eat the veggie in it! We’ll be making this often!
Sandra
This is really good! Such a huge hit at my house!
Patricia
Oh! This looks so hearty and tasty! I love this and never have thought to make a stew like this before. A must-try!
Michelle
This is really turning out good. Unfortunately right after I got it simmering my Propane went out and it was about 4 hours before I was able to resupply. I am getting very hungry but the potatoes are not cooking that fast because they are some weird potatoes in this country that I live in that just take forever to cook. They do cook eventually is just you gotta be patient. So far it’s delicious though.
Beth Pierce
So sorry to hear about the propane and the potatoes. I hope you enjoyed it anyway!
Beti
Oh my, this hamburger stew looks incredibly delicious! I can’t wait to try it!
katerina
This is such a fantastic idea! My family would LOVE this!
Allyson
This stew looks so yummy and hearty! I will have to make this soon!
Erin
This hamburger stew is such an exciting idea!
Dorothy
This looks like a big bowl of comfort food. I have all of the ingredients! This will be perfect for dinner tomorrow night.