Hearty Hamburger Stew: A Family Meal Tradition (Print Version)

Hearty Hamburger Stew recipe for a comforting dinner. Simple ingredients, rich flavors, and honest kitchen stories. Perfect for chilly evenings.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 45 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 65 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: High Protein

# Ingredients:

→ Main Ingredients

01 - 1 tbsp olive oil
02 - 1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20 preferred)
03 - 2 large russet potatoes, peeled and diced (about 3 cups)
04 - 3 medium carrots, peeled and diced
05 - 2 stalks celery, diced
06 - 1 large yellow onion, diced
07 - 4 cups beef broth, low sodium
08 - 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
09 - 2 tbsp tomato paste

→ Flavor Boosters

10 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
11 - 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

→ Seasonings & Spices

12 - 1 tsp dried thyme
13 - 1/2 tsp dried rosemary
14 - 2 bay leaves
15 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Thickener

16 - 2 tbsp all-purpose flour

→ Finishing Touches

17 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

# Instructions:

01 - Start by heating a little oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add your ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Let it brown nicely, getting some of those delicious crispy bits on the bottom – that’s flavor, my friend! Drain off most of the excess fat, leaving just a tablespoon or two. This is where the magic begins for our hearty hamburger stew. Once the beef is browned, toss in your diced onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté them until they start to soften, about 5-7 minutes. You’ll smell that sweet aroma filling your kitchen, honestly, it’s one of my favorite parts.
02 - Now, push the veggies and beef to one side of the pot. Add the minced garlic to the cleared space and let it cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant – don't let it burn, or it'll get bitter, trust me, I've done it! Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another minute, letting it deepen in color. This step is crucial for developing a rich, savory base for your hamburger stew. Sprinkle in the flour, stirring it into the meat and vegetable mixture for about a minute to cook out that raw flour taste. It'll look a little clumpy, but that’s okay.
03 - Pour in the beef broth and diced tomatoes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot – those are flavor bombs! Add the Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, dried rosemary, and bay leaves. Give it a good stir. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it cook for at least 20 minutes. This simmering time allows all those flavors to meld together beautifully, turning simple ingredients into a truly comforting hamburger stew. You’ll notice the sauce starting to thicken.
04 - After 20 minutes, stir in your diced potatoes. If the liquid seems too thick, you can add a splash more beef broth or water. Return the pot to a simmer, cover again, and continue cooking for another 20-25 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork. This is where the stew really starts to come together, the potatoes soaking up all those wonderful flavors. I always give it a taste test here, making sure the seasoning is just right for this hearty hamburger stew.
05 - Once the potatoes are tender, remove the bay leaves. Give the stew a final taste and adjust the salt and pepper as needed. Sometimes it needs a little more, sometimes it’s spot on. Trust your palate here! I often find I need a bit more pepper. Let the hamburger stew rest off the heat, covered, for about 5-10 minutes before serving. This short rest allows the flavors to settle and the stew to thicken slightly more, making it even more delicious.
06 - Ladle your warm, comforting hamburger stew into bowls. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if you're feeling fancy – it really brightens up the dish and adds a lovely fresh note. Serve it alongside some crusty bread for dipping, or even over a bed of rice if that’s your jam. The smell alone will make everyone gather around. This hearty hamburger stew is truly a meal that speaks to the soul, especially on a chilly evening. Enjoy every spoonful!

# Notes:

01 - Don't overmix the ground beef when browning; let it get some crusty bits for deeper flavor, I learned this the hard way!
02 - Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days; it freezes well too, just thaw and reheat gently.
03 - If you don't have fresh carrots or celery, a bag of frozen mixed veggies can work in a pinch.
04 - Serve this hearty hamburger stew with a big, crusty loaf of sourdough bread for dipping.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large pot or Dutch oven
02 - wooden spoon
03 - cutting board
04 - knife

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 450 Calories
Total Fat: 25g
Total Carbohydrate: 35g
Protein: 30g

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