This slow cooker 5-ingredient poor man stew is the kind of meal I lean on when the day has gotten away from me and the pantry is looking a little bare. It comes straight out of the old Midwestern habit of stretching what you have—frozen ground beef patties, a can of condensed tomato soup, and just a few simple pantry staples—into something hot and comforting. You literally layer the frozen patties in the slow cooker, pour the tomato soup over the top, add three more humble ingredients, and let time do the rest. It’s not fancy, but it fills the house with a familiar, cozy smell that reminds me of busy farm days when supper needed to make itself while we worked.
Serve this stew in wide bowls with plenty of the saucy tomato gravy over each portion. It’s lovely ladled over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or plain white rice to soak up the juices. On the side, I like a simple green salad or some canned green beans warmed with a bit of butter and pepper. If you have it, a slice of buttered white bread or a dinner roll is perfect for mopping up the last bit at the bottom of the bowl.
Slow Cooker 5-Ingredient Poor Man StewServings: 4
Ingredients
4 frozen ground beef patties (about 4 ounces each)
1 (10.5-ounce) can condensed tomato soup
1 cup water
2 cups frozen mixed vegetables (such as peas, carrots, corn, and green beans)
1 medium onion, sliced or chopped
Directions
Place the frozen ground beef patties in a single layer on the bottom of a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker. It’s fine if the edges overlap a little.
Scatter the sliced or chopped onion evenly over the frozen patties.
Sprinkle the frozen mixed vegetables over the onions and patties, spreading them out so they form an even layer.
In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the condensed tomato soup and the water until fairly smooth. You can also simply stir them together with a spoon if you prefer.
Pour the tomato soup mixture evenly over the vegetables and frozen patties in the slow cooker, making sure the tops of the patties are covered with some of the soup.
Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours, or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until the patties are cooked through and reach at least 160°F in the center and the vegetables are tender.
Once cooked, use a spoon or spatula to gently break up the patties into large chunks, stirring them through the tomato gravy and vegetables to create a rustic stew. Taste and add salt and pepper if desired.
Ladle the stew into bowls and serve hot, ideally over mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles to soak up the sauce.
Variations & Tips
You can adjust this poor man stew to fit what you have on hand without losing its spirit of simplicity. For extra flavor, sprinkle in a teaspoon of dried Italian seasoning, garlic powder, or a pinch of sugar to soften the tang of the tomato soup. If you don’t have frozen mixed vegetables, use any combination you do have—frozen corn, peas, or even a bag of frozen green beans works just fine. Fresh carrots or potatoes can be added, cut into small chunks, but if you add raw potatoes be sure to cut them bite-sized so they cook through in the same time. For a bit more richness, stir in a tablespoon of butter at the end or a splash of milk to mellow the sauce. You can also thicken the stew slightly by mashing a few of the vegetables against the side of the slow cooker or letting it cook uncovered on HIGH for 15 to 20 minutes.
Food safety tips: Always start with fully frozen or fully thawed ground beef patties—do not use partially thawed meat that has been sitting at room temperature. Keep the patties frozen until you’re ready to place them directly into the slow cooker. Make sure your slow cooker is in good working order and avoid lifting the lid frequently, as that lowers the temperature and can extend cooking time. Cook the stew until the internal temperature of the beef reaches at least 160°F, checked with an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of a patty before you break it up. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of cooking in shallow containers, and reheat until steaming hot before serving again.
