Weeknight One-Pot Ground Beef Stew Recipe

This cozy hamburger stew combines tender potatoes, savory ground beef, and a rich broth for a comforting one-pot dinner. Ready in about 50 minutes and made with pantry staples, it’s ideal for busy weeknights when you want a hearty, satisfying meal without a lot of fuss.

Easy Hamburger Stew Recipe

• This easy hamburger stew is a one-pot meal that takes about 50 minutes from start to finish, with roughly 25 minutes of hands-off simmer time.
• Think of it as a quicker, weeknight-friendly version of a classic beef stew, made with ground beef for fast browning and fast, flavorful results.

Ingredients for Hamburger Stew

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound ground beef (substitute ground turkey if preferred)
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 6 cloves garlic, minced (or about 1½ teaspoons garlic powder)
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste (adds depth and umami)
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning (or a mix of oregano and basil)
• 1.5 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, diced into roughly 1″ pieces (russet or red potatoes work too)
• 4 cups beef stock (beef or chicken broth can be used)
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce (or soy sauce / coconut aminos)
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (or red wine vinegar)
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch (for a slightly thickened broth)
• 12 ounces frozen peas and carrots (or any frozen vegetable mix)
• Kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper, to taste
• Fresh chopped parsley for garnish

How to Make Hamburger Stew

1. Brown the beef: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until fully browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat if desired.
2. Sauté the aromatics: Add the diced onion and a couple pinches of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 4 minutes until the onion softens. Stir in the minced garlic, tomato paste, and Italian seasoning and cook for another minute to develop the flavors.
3. Add potatoes and liquids: Add the diced potatoes, beef stock, Worcestershire sauce, and balsamic vinegar. Season lightly with salt and pepper, bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat and gently simmer for about 15 minutes, until the potatoes begin to become tender.



4. Thicken and finish: In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water to make a slurry. Stir the slurry into the simmering stew along with the frozen peas and carrots. Continue to simmer for 8–10 minutes until the vegetables are heated through, potatoes are fully tender, and the broth has thickened slightly.
5. Adjust seasoning and serve: Taste and season with additional salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot.

Tips for Making Hamburger Stew

• Cut potatoes into uniform pieces so they cook evenly.
• Don’t skip the tomato paste — it adds concentrated tomato flavor and deepens the broth. Tomato paste from a tube stays fresh longer and is easy to measure.
• Adjust the thickness by adding more or less cornstarch slurry; for a thinner broth, use less cornstarch or skip it entirely.
• Swap or add vegetables to your liking — corn, green beans, or diced bell pepper all work well.
• For extra richness, use a mix of beef stock and a splash of low-sodium beef consommé or a small knob of butter stirred in at the end.

Make-Ahead Instructions

• This stew keeps very well and can be made up to 4 days ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Flavors often deepen after a day in the fridge, making leftovers even better.
• Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of broth or water if the stew has thickened too much in the fridge.

Storing Leftovers

Store cooled stew in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep the stew refrigerated promptly to maintain quality and safety.

Freezing Hamburger Stew

• Allow the stew to cool completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags.
• Freeze for up to 3 months. Label containers with the date and contents.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating Hamburger Stew

• Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat until warmed through, stirring occasionally.
• Microwave individual portions in 1-minute intervals, stirring between intervals to ensure even heating.
• Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper before serving.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve with warm cornbread or a simple garlic bread to soak up the broth.
• A crisp house salad balances the richness of the stew.
• Roasted or steamed green beans or asparagus make easy vegetable sides.

Recipe Details & Nutrition

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings
• Serving Size: Approximately 1/6 of the stew
• Calories per serving: 259
• Fat: 5 g • Protein: 21.7 g • Carbohydrates: 31.6 g
• Sodium: 456.2 mg • Fiber: 4.4 g • Sugar: 4.2 g • Cholesterol: 45.2 mg

If you try this hamburger stew, enjoy it as a simple, satisfying weeknight meal. The recipe is flexible — swap proteins, add your favorite vegetables, and adjust seasonings to suit your family’s tastes.