Crock Pot Shipwreck Stew Recipe

Introduction

Crock Pot Shipwreck Stew is a comforting one-pot meal packed with ground beef, hearty vegetables, and rich tomato flavors. This easy slow cooker recipe requires minimal prep and delivers a warm, satisfying stew perfect for busy days. It tastes even better the next day, making it great for leftovers.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef (85–90% lean)
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch cubes
• 3 carrots, peeled and sliced 1/2 inch thick
• 2 celery ribs, sliced
• 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
• 3 cups beef broth
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• Optional: 1 teaspoon sugar if tomatoes taste very acidic

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until mostly browned, about 4–5 minutes. Stir in the diced onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook 30 seconds more until fragrant. Drain excess fat if needed.
2. Step 2: In the slow cooker, combine the potatoes, carrots, celery, kidney beans, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Spoon the browned beef mixture over the top and gently stir to combine. If your tomatoes taste sharp, add the optional sugar.
3. Step 3: Cover and cook on LOW for 7–8 hours for the most tender vegetables, or on HIGH for 3–4 hours if short on time. Avoid lifting the lid during cooking to retain heat and moisture.
4. Step 4: Remove the bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed. Ladle the stew into bowls and serve hot. Optional garnishes include chopped parsley, sour cream, or shredded cheddar.

Tips & Variations

• For extra depth, brown the ground beef in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
• Swap kidney beans for pinto or black beans according to your preference.
• Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle spicy kick.
• If you prefer a thicker stew, mash a few potatoes in the slow cooker toward the end of cooking.
• Use homemade beef broth for richer flavor or substitute with vegetable broth for a lighter option.

Storage

Store leftover stew in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. You can also freeze the stew for up to 3 months; thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this stew without a slow cooker?

Yes, you can prepare the stew on the stovetop. After browning the beef and onions, combine all ingredients in a large pot, bring to a boil, then simmer gently for about 1 to 1.5 hours until vegetables are tender.

How can I make this stew vegetarian?

To make a vegetarian version, omit the ground beef and use vegetable broth. Add extra beans or lentils for protein, and include additional vegetables like mushrooms or zucchini for heartiness.

Crock Pot Shipwreck Stew Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 76 reviews

Crock Pot Shipwreck Stew is a hearty and comforting slow-cooked dish featuring tender chunks of beef, potatoes, carrots, celery, kidney beans, and a rich tomato-based broth. This stew is slowly simmered to develop deep flavors and is perfect for an easy, satisfying meal that tastes even better the next day.

• Author: Ruby
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 7-8 hours on LOW or 3-4 hours on HIGH
• Total Time: 7 hours 20 minutes to 8 hours 20 minutes (depending on cook setting)
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Stew
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Aromatics

• 1 lb ground beef (85–90% lean)
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced

Vegetables

• 3 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch cubes
• 3 carrots, peeled and sliced 1/2 inch thick
• 2 celery ribs, sliced

Canned Goods

• 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce

Liquids & Sauces

• 3 cups beef broth
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Spices & Herbs

• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• Optional: 1 teaspoon sugar (if tomatoes taste very acidic)

Instructions

1. Brown the beef and aromatics: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until mostly browned, about 4–5 minutes. Stir in the diced onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds more, just until fragrant. Drain off excess fat if needed.
2. Layer everything in the slow cooker: In your slow cooker, add the potatoes, carrots, celery, kidney beans, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, dried thyme, bay leaf, kosher salt, and black pepper. Spoon the browned beef mixture over the top and gently stir to combine. If your tomatoes taste sharp or too acidic, add the optional teaspoon of sugar.
3. Cook low and slow: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 7–8 hours, which is preferred for tender vegetables and fully developed flavors, or on HIGH for 3–4 hours if short on time. Avoid lifting the lid during cooking to prevent heat loss and extended cook time.
4. Adjust and serve: Once cooking is complete, remove the bay leaf. Taste the stew and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed. Ladle the stew into bowls and serve hot. For a cozy finish, garnish with chopped parsley, a dollop of sour cream, or shredded cheddar cheese.

Notes

• For best flavor, cook the stew on LOW for 7–8 hours rather than HIGH.
• Do not lift the slow cooker lid frequently to maintain cooking temperature and time.
• If the stew is too acidic due to tomatoes, add a teaspoon of sugar to balance the flavors.
• This stew tastes even better the next day as flavors continue to meld.
• Optional garnishes include parsley, sour cream, or cheddar cheese for added richness.

Keywords: slow cooker stew, shipwreck stew, ground beef stew, easy crock pot recipes, hearty stew recipe, beef and vegetable stew