Cooking slow cooker hamburger stew is straightforward. Follow these steps and you’ll have a bowl of goodness waiting for you.

Start by browning the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. This step adds depth to your stew. Once the beef has been cooked through, drain off any excess fat. Trust me, this little effort upfront pays off with a richer flavor.

In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and chopped onion. Sauté them for about 2-3 minutes until the onion becomes translucent. The aroma will have you dreaming of dinner already.

Now it’s time to bring everything together. In your slow cooker, add the browned beef, sautéed garlic and onion, diced potatoes, sliced carrots, green peas, and crushed rosemary.

Sprinkle in the smoked paprika, black pepper, and thyme. These spices won’t just add seasoning. They’ll transform your stew! Stir everything together gently.

Here’s where the magic happens. Pour in the beef stock, stewed tomatoes, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and a tablespoon of tomato paste.

Mix it all well to combine. The broth needs to cover the ingredients just enough; if it looks like it might be too thick, feel free to add a splash more beef stock.

Set your slow cooker to low for 6-8 hours, or high for 3-4 hours. The longer you let it simmer, the better the flavors meld together.

Once the cooking time is up, taste your stew. You may want to add a pinch of salt, more pepper, or even lemon juice for brightness.

Ladle your hearty stew into bowls. Feel free to serve it with a slice of warm bread or over creamy mashed potatoes. Enjoy!