Hamburger Stew
Hamburger Stew is a hearty, comforting, and budget-friendly dish made with ground beef, vegetables, and a rich, savory broth. It delivers classic stew flavor in a fraction of the time, making it perfect for cozy weeknights, family dinners, or meal prep.
Ingredients
- For the Stew
- 1 lb 450 g ground beef
- 3 –4 medium potatoes diced
- 3 carrots sliced
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 celery stalks chopped (optional)
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste or 1 can 14.5 oz diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp salt adjust to taste
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika optional
- 1 tsp dried thyme or rosemary optional
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce optional
- 1 bay leaf optional
- 1 cup frozen peas or corn optional
Instructions
- Step 1 — Prep the Ingredients
- Dice potatoes and carrots evenly so they cook uniformly.
- Chop the onion, celery, and mince garlic.
- Step 2 — Brown the Beef
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook ground beef over medium heat.
- Drain excess grease if needed.
- Season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Step 3 — Build the Flavor Base
- Add onion, celery, and garlic.
- Sauté until vegetables soften and become fragrant.
- Step 4 — Add Tomatoes & Broth
- Stir in tomato paste or diced tomatoes.
- Pour in beef broth.
- Add Worcestershire sauce, paprika, herbs, and bay leaf if using.
- Step 5 — Add Vegetables
- Stir in potatoes and carrots.
- Bring stew to a gentle simmer.
- Step 6 — Simmer
- Cover and cook for 30–40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add frozen peas or corn during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
- Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Step 7 — Serve
- Serve hot with crusty bread, rice, noodles, or a fresh salad.
Notes
- Browning the beef first gives the stew a deeper, richer flavor.
- Simmer gently—not rapidly—to avoid mushy vegetables.
- Add more broth if you prefer a soupier texture.
- Too thin? Simmer uncovered or add 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with water.