Hearty Hamburger Stew: Weeknight Pot Luck Favorite (Print Version)

Hearty Hamburger Stew is an easy, satisfying meal perfect for busy weeknights. This simple, flavorful stew brings back childhood memories and fills you up.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 45 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 60 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American Comfort
Dietary: Meat-based

# Ingredients:

→ Base Ingredients

01 - 1 tbsp olive oil
02 - 1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20 chuck)
03 - 1 large yellow onion, chopped
04 - 2 carrots, peeled and diced
05 - 2 celery stalks, diced
06 - 1.5 lbs potatoes (Yukon Gold or Russet), peeled and cubed

→ Flavor Foundations

07 - 4 cups beef broth
08 - 1 (14.5 oz) can crushed tomatoes
09 - 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
10 - 1 tsp dried thyme
11 - 1 bay leaf
12 - 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

→ Finishing Touches & Seasoning

13 - 1 cup frozen peas
14 - Salt to taste
15 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste

# Instructions:

01 - First off, grab your big pot or Dutch oven – you know, the one that’s seen a few battles. Heat it over medium-high heat, then crumble in your ground beef. Brown it up, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks. You want a nice, even sear, not just gray meat. I usually get lost in thought here and almost burn it, so keep an eye on it! Drain off that excess fat, please, for the love of all things good and stew-like. This is key for a truly hearty hamburger stew.
02 - Reduce the heat to medium. Toss in your chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Stir them around, letting them soften and get fragrant for about 5-7 minutes. Oh, the smell! It's the first sign that something wonderful is happening. This is where I sometimes add a cheeky extra clove of garlic if I'm feeling wild, just because I adore that aroma. Let these veggies sweat it out; they're building the flavor foundation for our hearty hamburger stew.
03 - Sprinkle the flour over the softened vegetables and stir it in for about a minute. This creates a little roux, which is going to give our hearty hamburger stew its lovely body. Pour in the beef broth, scraping up all those delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pot – that's flavor gold right there! Add the crushed tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, and the bay leaf. Stir everything until it's well combined and starting to thicken slightly.
04 - Now, add your chopped potatoes to the pot. Give it all a good stir, making sure the potatoes are submerged. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it do its thing. This is the patience part, where the magic truly infuses. I usually set a timer for 20 minutes, then check if the potatoes are tender. If not, another 10-15 minutes, no biggie. This slow simmer is what makes for a truly hearty hamburger stew.
05 - Once the potatoes are fork-tender, remove the bay leaf – you don't want to bite into that later, trust me. Stir in the frozen peas. Let them warm through for just a couple of minutes until they're bright green. Now for the crucial part: taste! This is where you adjust the salt and black pepper. I always add a generous crack of fresh black pepper here; it just perks everything up. Don't be shy; make it taste <em>right</em> to you.
06 - Ladle this glorious, hearty hamburger stew into bowls. It should be thick, rich, and bubbling with warmth. I love seeing the vibrant colors of the peas and carrots against the savory broth. The smell alone is enough to make your stomach rumble! Serve it up hot, maybe with a piece of crusty bread for dipping, and watch everyone gobble it down. Seriously, this hearty hamburger stew is pure comfort on a spoon.

# Notes:

01 - Always drain the fat after browning the beef for a less greasy stew.
02 - This stew tastes even better the next day, perfect for leftovers!
03 - No potatoes? Sweet potatoes or even pasta could work in a pinch.
04 - A sprinkle of fresh parsley or a dollop of sour cream makes it extra special.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot
02 - cutting board
03 - knife

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 450
Total Fat: 25g
Total Carbohydrate: 30g
Protein: 28g

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