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Crock Pot Shipwreck Stew Recipe

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★★★★★

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Find it online: https://cookwithruby.com/crock-pot-shipwreck-stew-recipe/