This quick and easy, family-friendly Hamburger Stew is made in about forty minutes on the stovetop. It is full of nature’s wholesome flavor and goodness, making it a hearty, satisfying meal that the whole family can enjoy.

Warm and hearty, this hamburger stew is a perfect one-pot meal for a cozy night in. With simple ingredients and easy directions, this recipe is a must-try for any home cook. This stew is delicious year-round, but I love to serve it during those chilly winter months. It is a hearty meal, but serve it with cheddar biscuits, sweet potato cornbread, or sweet maple dinner rolls for a company-worthy meal.
Why I Love It
- This fun and easy recipe comes together quickly, making it doable for a weeknight meal.
- Hamburger Stew is made with wholesome ingredients, making it a hearty meal you can feel good about feeding your family.
- The ingredients for this recipe are easily found at any grocery store, and you may already have many of them on hand.
- Ground beef is still one of the most economically friendly meats you can cook.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients in the recipe card below.
- Ground beef: I use beef with a bit of fat, like 85/15. Fat gives the beef flavor.
- Onion: Preferably a sweet yellow onion, like a yellow or Vidalia onion
- Carrots: You can substitute parsnips
- Potatoes: Preferably Yukon Gold, Russet Potatoes break down too much
- Canned tomatoes: Fire-roasted or diced
- Beef broth: Low sodium is best ,so you can control the amount of sodium
- Peas: Frozen sweet peas. Do not use canned as they will get mushy.

Preparation Tips for Hamburger Stew
- Use ground beef or chili-ground beef with a bit of fat. Drain any excess grease after cooking the onions. The fat gives it flavor.
- Peel your carrots for aesthetic purposes. The small amount of effort is worth the bright, beautiful orange color.
- If desired, substitute diced tomatoes for the fire-roasted tomatoes.
- I prefer Yukon gold potatoes for this recipe. But red potatoes or Russet potatoes work well, too.

Frequently Asked Questions
Swap ground beef for other ground meat like ground chicken, turkey, or pork.
First, cool the dish to room temperature. Freeze in a Ziploc freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stovetop on low or microwave at reduced power.
Complete everything on the stovetop through step 2. Transfer the contents to a crock pot. Whisk together the beef broth and tomato paste in a bowl or large measuring cup. Stir it into the pot. Cook on low for 4-5 hours. Add the peas and cook on low for 1-2 hours or until the potatoes and carrots are tender.
More Stew Recipes

Hamburger Stew Recipe
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds ground beef
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon crushed rosemary
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- 4 carrots peeled and chopped
- 2 Yukon Gold potatoes cut into small cubes
- 1 14.5 ounce can fire-roasted tomatoes
- 1¼ cup low-sodium beef broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- ⅔ cup frozen peas
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a Dutch oven or heavy stockpot over medium heat, brown the ground beef. When it is about halfway through the browning process, add the onion and cook until the onion is soft and the ground beef is browned, approximately 5-6 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
- Reduce heat to low. Add garlic, oregano, parsley, rosemary, and thyme; cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add the potatoes, carrots, and fire-roasted tomatoes.
- In a bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together the beef broth and tomato paste. Stir it into the pot. Simmer covered for 15 minutes.
- Add the peas and simmer covered until the potatoes and carrots are tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
Nutrition
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Erica S
After trying this meal, I can confirm that this is truly a hearty and satisfying! I highly recommend this dish!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Erica!
Amanda
Delicious! I added 2.25# of ground chuck, a little extra potatoes, and a can of drained corn instead of peas. The seasonings were perfect!
Beth Pierce
Awesome! Thanks for the tips, Amanda!
Mors
This is such a fantastic dish. My family loved it!
Zab
My mouth is watering just thinking about this recipe! It sounds absolutely delicious!
Christian Foremost
Oh wow, this look absolutely yummy. Just the perfect type of savory that I am looking for!
Lori
Looks perfect for when the weather is chilly! It is not quite in the winter weather here yet but I will save this for when it gets cold out, will be a nice way to warm up with a delicious meal.
Jen S
Everything my family loves all in one bowl. I also love as we are entering colder weather. This is a well thought out comfort meal. Can’t wait to make this again for my family. It was delicious!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Jen! I am so glad that your family liked the stew.
mat
The Hamburger Stew recipe was the perfect comfort food for this chilly winter day. It was a quick and easy meal that the whole family enjoyed. The combination of ground beef, fresh vegetables, and a blend of spices was delicious, and the option to add a little crushed red pepper for some extra kick was spot on.
Debbie
I love how quick and easy this hamburger stew is to make. Dinner in forty minutes on the stovetop is perfect for me to make after work.
Stephanie
I made this recipe just as written and we had the most wonderful stew for dinner! All the veggies, hamburger and spices make this stew extra special.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Stephanie! I am so glad that you liked it!