This easy Hamburger Stew is thick, comforting, and made with everyday, affordable ingredients. A flavorful one‑pot meal that the whole family will devour—ready in about an hour and perfect for busy evenings.
Why You’ll Love It
- Affordable and accessible: lean ground beef + veggies + pantry staples.
- Big flavor without the fuss: rich broth, hearty potatoes, and savory beef.
- One pot, minimal cleanup: perfect for weeknight meals.
- Makes leftovers that taste even better the next day.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Olive oil
- Onion, chopped
- Celery stalks, chopped
- Garlic, minced
- Lean ground beef
- Flour (for thickening)
- Tomato paste
- Beef broth
- Worcestershire sauce
- Italian seasoning
- Potatoes (peeled and diced)
- Carrots (peeled and sliced)
- Frozen peas (optional)
- Salt & pepper, to taste
How to Make Hamburger Stew
- Heat oil in a large soup pot. Sauté onion and celery until softened.
- Add garlic and stir briefly.
- Add ground beef, break it up, and cook until browned.
- Sprinkle in flour and cook for a minute or two to remove the raw flour taste.
- Stir in tomato paste.
- Pour in beef broth, then add Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, potatoes, and carrots. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to a rapid simmer, cover loosely, and cook until the potatoes and carrots are tender and the flavors have melded (about 30 minutes). If it gets too thick, add more broth; if you want it thicker, cook uncovered longer.
- Stir in frozen peas, if using, and adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot, ideally with crusty bread or garlic bread for dipping.
Substitutions & Variations
- Use any extra vegetables you have on hand — root veggies, bell peppers, etc.
- Try different herb blends or even steak seasoning instead of Italian seasoning.
- For a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce.
- If you don’t have potato‐based stew, consider using sweet potatoes or a mix of root vegetables.
What to Serve With It
This stew is hearty enough on its own, but it shines even more with:
- A thick slice of crusty bread or extra cheesy garlic bread.
- A simple side salad with a light vinaigrette for contrast.
- A glass of iced tea or your favorite beverage for a cozy dinner.
Leftovers & Storage
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3‑4 days.
- Reheat on low heat, adding a splash of broth if it seems too thick.
- This stew also freezes well — cool completely, freeze in a suitable container, then thaw and reheat when ready.
Recipe Card
Hamburger Stew
By Natasha Bull
- Prep Time: ~10 minutes
- Cook Time: ~50 minutes
- Total Time: ~1 hour
- Servings: ~6
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 stalks celery, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, 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 medium carrots, peeled & sliced
- 1 cup frozen peas (optional)
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Instructions:
- Heat oil, sauté onion & celery until tender.
- Add garlic and stir briefly.
- Add ground beef and brown.
- Sprinkle flour in, stir 1‑2 mins.
- Stir in tomato paste.
- Add broth, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, potatoes & carrots. Bring to a boil.
- Simmer covered (lid ajar) about 30 mins until vegetables are tender. Adjust thickness as desired.
- Stir in peas, season to taste, serve hot.