Crockpot Ground Beef Stew (Easy & Budget-Friendly Dinner)

This ground beef stew is hearty, budget-friendly, and the ultimate low-effort Crockpot dinner for busy weeknights. 👇👇

Why I Love This Recipe

This hearty ground beef stew is one of the easiest Crockpot dinners you’ll ever make. Just brown the beef, toss everything into the slow cooker, and let it do the work while your house fills with cozy, comforting smells.

If you love set-it-and-forget-it dinners like my Slow Cooker Pot Roast, this one’s a must-try.

Easy slow cooker dinner – minimal prep, no babysitting
Budget-friendly – uses pantry staples and fresh veggies
Family approved – cozy, filling, and full of flavor
Meal prep friendly – leftovers are great for lunch
Freezer-friendly – cool, portion, and freeze for later

This is a healthy homemade recipe that’s perfect for busy families and simple weeknight meals. Next up – Ingredients are below 👇👇

The ingredients to make Crockpot beef stew are in small individual bowls.

Recipe Ingredients

1 lb lean ground beef
2 cups baby potatoes, sliced in half
2 carrots, chopped (or 1 cup baby carrots)
2 celery stalks, chopped
½ cup white onion, chopped
¼ cup uncooked white rice
1 large can (28 oz) diced tomatoes, with juices
2 cups beef broth - or use water
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper

Step-By-Step Instructions 👇👇

One pound of ground beef is browned in a pan. A paper towel is used to remove excess grease.

STEP 1: Brown the Ground Beef

In a large pot over medium heat, brown 1 lb of ground beef. Season generously with salt and pepper. Once browned, blot the excess grease with a paper towel to remove it from the pot.

STEP 2: Add Ingredients to Crockpot

To your crockpot, add 2 cups baby potatoes (sliced in half), 2 chopped carrots (or 1 cup baby carrots), 2 chopped celery stalks, ½ cup chopped onion, ¼ cup uncooked rice, 1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes with juices, 2 cups beef broth (or water), 1 tsp Italian seasoning, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, and ½ tsp black pepper. Stir to combine.

Baby potatoes, baby carrots, chopped celery, chopped onion, and uncooked rice in a crockpot, then canned tomato and browned ground beef are added.

STEP 3: Add Ground Beef

Add the browned ground beef to the crockpot and stir everything together again.

STEP 4: Set It and Forget It

Cover and cook on high for 1½ hours, then switch to low for 6–8 hours, or until the vegetables and rice are tender.

Optional: Cook on low for 8–10 hours total if you’ll be out all day.

A crockpot filled with a ground beef stew.

Recipe Tips

Use lean ground beef to reduce excess grease.
Prep ingredients the night before to save time in the morning.
Add extra broth when reheating if the stew thickens too much.
Freeze in individual portions using containers or freezer bags for up to 3 months.

Variations and Substitutions

Swap rice with small pasta (like orzo).
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat.
Stir in spinach or frozen peas at the end for extra veggies.
Use sweet potatoes instead of white potatoes for a sweeter flavor.
Skip rice and serve stew over cooked grains instead.

What To Serve With

This hearty Crockpot ground beef stew is satisfying on its own, but even better with something to soak up the flavorful broth:

Serve it over rice – plain or try Garlic Butter Rice for extra flavor.
Scoop onto mashed potatoes – Garlic Mashed Potatoes or Mashed Sweet Potatoes both work great.
Crispy texture? Try Smashed Potatoes or toast up sourdough or dinner rolls.
Over pasta – We tried this and it’s surprisingly delicious, almost like a spaghetti sauce.
Busy night shortcut: Use frozen rice, steamed-in-bag veggies, or refrigerated biscuits as sides.

How To Store Leftovers

Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Freeze in individual portions up to 3 months.
Reheat: Warm on the stovetop with a splash of broth or microwave in short intervals.

A spoonful of stew over a crockpot of stew.

FAQs

Do I have to cook the ground beef in a frying pan first?

Technically, no—you can add raw ground beef straight to the crockpot. But browning it first adds more flavor, removes excess grease, and improves the final texture. Adding it raw can make the stew clumpier and less rich-tasting overall.

Can I use frozen ground beef?

You’ll need to thaw and brown it first. The texture is better that way and it keeps the crockpot safe.

Can I skip the rice?

Yes! Just leave it out and reduce the broth slightly, or serve the stew over cooked grains instead.

What other meats can I use?

Ground turkey, ground chicken, or ground sausage can be used—just brown and season well before adding.

More Cozy Crockpot Recipes

If you loved this one, try these easy slow cooker favorites next:

Crockpot Moroccan Chicken – Packed with warm spices, apricots, and raisins
Slow Cooker Chicken Stew – Lighter but just as filling
Slow Cooker Beef Stew – Classic comfort food with tender beef
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken – Sweet, sticky, and great over rice

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