When Jack Frost makes his presence known, nothing warms your soul like a hearty hamburger stew. Thaw that frostbitten nose inhaling the fragrant brew where savory ground beef and scrumptious veggies abound. And that little pile of shredded cheddar on top? Well, that’s just the icing on the cake!
This hamburger stew no ordinary beef stew. It’s one of those stew recipes that calls to you, begging for a warm fluffy roll to sop up the thick tasty juice. That soft fervent glow spreading through your body is just a warm cozy byproduct. Bring it on, Jack Frost!
Let’s get cookin’!
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What I Love About Hamburger Stew Recipe
I love that this stew is packed with layers and layers of flavor, not to mention all those nutritious veggies. The low and slow simmer time infuses all that yummy flavor deep into every single bite and you finish each bowl feeling completely satisfied.
Here are some other great reasons to love it!
- Lots of wholesome nutritious veggies
- Hearty and insanely delicious
- Flexible recipe yields amazing results
- Great for potlucks and large gatherings
- One-pot wonder – no tearing up the kitchen
Recipe Notes
While you can’t relegate Mother Nature like Jack Frost, there are some tricks of the trade to help inject a little magic into your hamburger stew. Here’s watcha’ need to know!
You’ll want to sauté your veggies in the pan drippings where you cooked your ground beef. Sautéing veggies is important to coax out all those sweeter characteristics. Plus, it adds so much incredible flavor to your stew.
When you add your broth and other liquids, take a moment to scrape everything off the bottom of your pot. It’ll also add tons of great flavor and prevent burnt bottom bits from ruining your stew. Just make sure to simmer over low heat. You don’t want too much activity in the pot, or your veggies may get mushy.
Ingredient Notes
This recipe comes together so easily. There’re no crazy ingredients to chase down and no new super-tools required. Actually, the only tools you really need are a pot and a wooden spoon (after chopping the veggies of course).
Storing Tips
This hamburger stew recipe makes quite a bit, so it’s not likely to get gobbled up in one sitting (unless you take it to a potluck). Don’t worry, though. Any covered container or gallon-sized Ziplocs will keep this fresh and yummy in the fridge.
Can You Freeze This?
Absolutely! This recipe makes a great freezer meal. However, I would recommend omitting the potatoes if it’s going in the freezer. They can be notoriously finicky in subfreezing temperatures. It’s easier to just add boiled potatoes right before serving.
Generally, soups and stew with meat and vegetables lasts for 2-3 months in the freezer.
Make Ahead Tips
This does require just a little chopping due to garlic, onions, carrots, and potatoes. Luckily, that can all be done ahead of time. Most everything else comes out of the freezer or a can. Super convenient.
You could always go the freezer route with your hamburger stew. Sometimes I like to freeze this in single-serve portions. It’s great to pull out for a quick meal.
How Long Can You Keep This In The Fridge?
This will stay fresh and ready to eat for up to 4 days in the fridge. Plus, that awesome flavor will continue to develop as it sits, so it makes some awesome ready-made lunches. Just be sure to let it cool completely before putting it in the icebox.
Recipe Variations
This hamburger stew recipe is totally flexible, giving you tons of options. It’s great for cleaning out those leftover veggies in the fridge too. Crafting the exact flavor to suit your personal preference is easy. Here’s a couple of simple suggestions.
Can I Add Some Pork?
Sure! This is your stew so you can make it how you like it. The combination of ground beef and pork adds an extra layer of savory flavor to your stew.
Short on ground beef? Try making Bigos instead. It’s a hearty Hunter’s stew built around pork and veggies.
Can I Turn This Recipe Into Goulash?
Of course, you can. It only takes a few simple substitutions to turn your hamburger stew into a hamburger goulash. You can also switch out the ground beef for chuck and grab your red wine to make German goulash instead.
Of course, I completely understand if you’re partial to go ‘ole fashioned Hungarian goulash. I love that stuff too!
Can I Cook This In A Crockpot Instead?
Oh yeah! There’s nothing better than the scrumptious aroma of stew all throughout the kitchen. If you’ve made slow cooker beef stew before, then you know what I’m talking about.
You’ll still need to sauté your veggies before tossing them into your stew. You can also use your slow cooker to make crockpot goulash if that’s the route you were going.
What Other Famous Beef Stew Recipes Can I Make?
This hearty hamburger stew recipe is kind of an all-American classic (like Jack Frost). Only, it’s simple, delicious and handy to have around.
Now if you’re trying to mimic other great stew recipes, you can grab a beer and some paprika to make Pioneer Woman beef stew. Ina Garten beef stew is also pretty popular. They use red wine instead of beer.
What Other Beef Stew Recipes Can I Cook?
This is quite possibly one of the world’s perfect stews. It’s wholesome, nutritious and crazy simple to make. If it inspires you to try some other yummy stew recipes, then it’s done its job.
Meatball stew is another simple recipe and its always a hit. You can also use beef chuck or veal to make Dutch oven beef stew or veal stew. See? Lot’s of options! They’re all great stew recipes but this still gets my vote for number 1!
Hamburger Stew
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 medium carrots, cut into cubes
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 (10.75 -ounce Can) condensed tomato soup
- 1 heaping tablespoon beef flavor Better Than Bouillon
- 2 (14.5-ounces) cans stewed tomatoes, with juices
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 3 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- 1 dried bay leaf
- 2 1/4 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 1/2 cups frozen green beans,
- 1 cup frozen pearl onions
- 1-2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Crumble the ground chuck into large chunks in the hot pan, and cook until evenly browned. Discard all but 2 tablespoons of drippings from pot. If you do not have that amount remaining, add vegetable oil to make up the difference.
- Add the onion, garlic, and carrots and saute, over medium heat, until soft, about 5-6 minutes.
- Sprinkle flour over vegetables, stirring constantly, until the flour coats the vegetables. Cook for 2-3 minutes to toast the flour. Remove skillet from heat.
- Add beef broth, stewed tomatoes with their juices, tomato soup, Better Than Bouillon, Worcestershire sauce, potatoes, Italian seasoning, thyme, bay leaf, salt, pepper, green beans, pearl onions, and browned beef; stir to blend then simmer over low heat for at least 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Adjust seasoning. Ladle into bowls and top with cheese. Serve.
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More Beef Stew Recipes
There are lots of different beef stew recipes you can try. Depending on your mood and the occasion, you’re bound to find something you like. Beef stew is great year-round but especially during the cold winter months.
Here are some other recipes you may enjoy.
- Mulligan Stew – A stew rooted deep in American history.
- Vietnamese Beef Stew – Fork tender meat and a fragrant combination of herbs.
- Mechado – Inspired by multiple cultures with a distinct deliciousness.
- Instant Pot Beef Stew – Ready in a fraction of the time and doesn’t sacrifice on flavor.
- Vegetable Beef Stew – The original hug-in-a-bowl beef stew recipe.
Conclusion
When you need a warm hearty stew to combat the cold weather, this one-pot wonder will do the trick. It’s a simple wholesome recipe that’s just insanely delicious. Plus, it’s so totally versatile you’re bound to find a version that suits your family.
Whether you’re prepping for the week or you need a great dish for a cold-weather potluck, hamburger stew will do the trick. You’ll want to add this one to your repertoire!
Total comfort food indeed! This is mouthwatering…I love how loaded this stew is. Hearty and perfect for winter nights!
Thanks, Tammy! Hope you enjoy it! 😀
Our family enjoys stews and soup all winter and this one looks so substantial and filling! Yum!!
Totally! Hope you enjoy it, Vicky! 🙂
This was really good! Packed full of flavors! My family loved it!
Hi Toni. So happy to hear you and your fam loved it! It’s favorite in our house too <3
That is such an easy, comforting and quick dish. So packed with flavor.
Thanks, Roxana!
Soup looks delicious
Thank you, Cathy!
This one pot hamburger stew is such a helpful weeknight meal during the witner! I love that it is freezer friendly to!
I couldn’t agree more, Emily. Glad you think so too!