This hearty hamburger stew is thick, cozy, and made with simple ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen. It’s the perfect cold-weather meal that feeds the family without breaking the budget!
If you love this, you might also enjoy my Hamburger Soup, Ground Beef Alfredo Bake, or American Goulash—all easy, comforting classics.
Why You’ll Love This Hamburger Stew
Ground beef stew is sometimes nicknamed “poor man’s stew,” but don’t let the name fool you—this dish is rich, flavorful, and deeply satisfying. When you want something warm and filling but don’t have time for a long-simmered traditional beef stew, this recipe delivers big flavor fast.
It cooks in under an hour, most of it hands-off, and gives you a complete, nutrient-packed meal in one pot—perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe relies on pantry staples to create incredible flavor:
- Celery, onion, garlic, olive oil – your classic aromatic base
- Lean ground beef – cooks flavorfully without excess grease
- Flour – helps thicken the broth
- Tomato paste – adds savory richness
- Beef broth – far more flavorful than using water alone
- Worcestershire sauce – deepens the stew without overpowering it
- Italian seasoning – a convenient blend of dried herbs
- Potatoes, carrots, peas – hearty vegetables that make it a complete meal
How to Make Hamburger Stew
Full ingredients and measurements are listed in the recipe card below—here’s the quick process with visuals in mind!
- Sauté the aromatics.
Cook celery and onion in olive oil until softened, then add garlic. - Brown the beef.
Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. - Thicken and build flavor.
Stir in flour, cook briefly to eliminate the raw taste, then mix in tomato paste. - Add liquids and veggies.
Pour in beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, seasoning, potatoes, and carrots. Bring to a boil, then simmer until tender. - Finish and adjust.
Stir in peas and season with salt and pepper. Add extra broth if it thickens too much.
Substitutions & Variations
One of the best things about this stew is how forgiving it is:
- Add more veggies — Any extra root or fridge-cleanout vegetables work great.
- Switch herbs — Other dried blends or even steak seasoning are delicious replacements.
- Make it spicy — A pinch of red pepper flakes gives it a little kick.
What to Serve With Hamburger Stew
While it’s a complete meal on its own, it pairs beautifully with:
- Crusty bread or Extra Cheesy Garlic Bread
- A fresh garden salad with homemade ranch
Storing & Reheating
- Refrigerate: 3–4 days in an airtight container
- Freezer friendly: freezes well!
This stew tastes even better the next day—just reheat gently, adding a splash of broth if it thickens.
More Ground Beef Favorites
Try these next:
- Easy Ground Beef Stroganoff
- Homemade Hamburger Helper
- Beef Noodle Casserole
- Easy Sloppy Joes
Hamburger Stew Recipe
⭐ 4.94 from 72 votes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Serves: 6
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 celery stalks, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 3 tbsp flour
- 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
- 4 cups beef broth (plus more if needed)
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 russet potatoes, peeled & diced
- 4 carrots, peeled & sliced
- 1 cup frozen peas (optional)
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat oil in a soup pot and sauté onion and celery for 5–7 minutes.
- Add garlic; cook briefly.
- Add beef and brown, breaking it apart as it cooks.
- Sprinkle in flour; cook 1–2 minutes.
- Stir in tomato paste.
- Add broth, Worcestershire sauce, seasoning, potatoes, and carrots. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes or until tender.
- Stir in peas, season to taste, and enjoy hot!
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