Hamburger Stew Recipe

Active Time:

30 mins

Total Time:

50 mins

Servings:

This hamburger stew promises to brighten up even the dreariest of days. On busy weeknights, a quick stew is an easy, catch-all way to feed the whole family (and still have leftovers for days).

Our Test Kitchen has devised countless ways to reimagine cookout staples, from cheeseburger pie to macaroni pie, but this hamburger stew may be our favorite creation to date. It easily serves six, comes together in under an hour, and somehow packs all the flavors of a hamburger—from the patty to the condiments and even the bun.

To really load this stew with hamburger flavor, our Test Kitchen professionals added ketchup and dry mustard. It all comes together very quickly, and between the meat, potatoes, and vegetables, this is a really filling meal. The hamburger bun croutons make the dish a touch more whimsical, and it's a great, innovative way to use up stale bread; cutting the buns into bite-sized pieces and toasting them in the oven brings new life to slightly stale buns.

Hamburger Stew Recipe - Southern Living — ANTONIS ACHILLEOS; PROP STYLIST: KAY E. CLARKE; FOOD STYLIST: MARGARET MONROE DICKEY

Ingredients for Hamburger Stew

This hearty, flavorful stew features ground beef, baby red potatoes, frozen mixed vegetables, and a variety of flavor enhancers from dry mustard to garlic cloves and ketchup for a classic hamburger flavor—in stew form. To make it, you'll need:

For the stew:

Ground chuck: For a hearty, meaty texture and classic hamburger flavor. Can substitute with leaner types of ground beef, if preferred.
Dry mustard: For a tangy, mildly spicy flavor.
Dried oregano: Adds a savory, herbal note.
Kosher salt: Enhances the overall flavor.
Yellow onion: Provides an aromatic base for the stew.
Garlic cloves: Adds depth of flavor.
Tomato paste: Adds a robust, rich depth to the stew.
All-purpose flour: Helps thicken the stew.
Beef broth: The liquid base for deep flavor.
Canned diced tomatoes: Adds an acidic tomato flavor and color to the stew.
Ketchup: A sweet, nostalgic touch for a classic hamburger flavor.
Baby red potatoes: A starchy, hearty component.
Frozen mixed vegetables: The addition of corn, carrots, and green beans adds a variety of textures and colors, with a nutritional boost.

For the croutons:

Hamburger buns: Baked up into a crisp, classic hamburger bun accompaniment in crouton form.
Olive oil: Helps crisp up the croutons and promotes even browning.
Kosher salt: To season the croutons.

How To Make Hamburger Stew

When it comes to making stew, it can be a long and slow process. Not so for this hamburger stew—ready in under an hour, this stew is comforting, hearty, flavorful, and fast. Full instructions are below, but here's a brief recap before you get started:

Step 1. Cook ground beef: Preheat oven to 350°F. Heat ground chuck, mustard, oregano, and 1 teaspoon salt in a Dutch oven, stirring occasionally, until beef is browned. Use a slotted spoon to transfer beef to a paper towel-lined bowl. Reserve 1 tablespoon drippings in Dutch oven.
Step 2. Cook onion, garlic, and tomato paste: Add onion and cook, stirring often, until softened. Stir in garlic and tomato paste; cook 1 minute.
Step 3. Add flour and broth: Add flour; cook, stirring often, 1 minute. Stir in broth, tomatoes, and ketchup, scraping bottom of pan.
Step 4. Return beef to pan: Stir in cooked beef. Bring to a boil.
Step 5. Add potatoes and vegetables: Add potatoes and remaining salt; reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender. Stir in mixed vegetables; heat until warmed through.
Step 6. Prepare the croutons: Toss together buns, olive oil, and salt on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Bake until golden and crisp. Serve with stew.

Variations for Hamburger Stew

Hamburger stew can be customized in a variety of ways—you can even add toppings based on how you take your burger. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Spices: Add paprika, garlic powder, taco seasoning, Italian seasoning, or other preferred spices for a punch of flavor.
Herbs: Rosemary, thyme, parsley, and cilantro can be added for a fresh, herbal note and pop of color.
Veggies: Bulk up the stew with bell peppers, black beans, diced tomatoes with green chiles, mushrooms, or any other veggies you love.
Swap the beef: Substitute the ground beef with ground turkey or lamb if preferred.
Cheese: Top before serving with shredded Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or any favorite cheeses for a cheeseburger twist.
Add beer: Replace some of the beef broth with beer for extra depth.
Potatoes: Swap the potatoes with pasta if desired.

Can I Make Hamburger Stew Ahead?

As with most stews, this hamburger stew can be made in advance, giving the flavors time to meld and deepen as it sits. Refrigerate, covered, up to 2 days ahead for the freshest flavor or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator if frozen before reheating on the stovetop until hot throughout. Garnish with fresh croutons before serving.

How To Store and Reheat Leftover Hamburger Stew

Refrigerate leftover stew for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months (in small portions for quick thawing). Thaw overnight in the refrigerator if frozen.

Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave until hot throughout, adjusting the consistency with water or broth if needed. Taste and adjust seasoning to taste before garnishing and serving.

What To Serve With Hamburger Stew

Hamburger stew has it all—beef, potatoes, vegetables, and hamburger bun croutons to top it all off. If you want to fill up the table, pair with a side salad, a variety of toppings (shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, sour cream, and more) so everyone can garnish their own.

More Family-Friendly Stew Recipes You'll Love

From beef stew pot pies to chicken and cornbread dumplings, you can never go wrong with a hearty stew. These recipes are guaranteed to warm up the whole family:

Ingredients

Stew:

1 1/4 lb. ground chuck
1 1/2 tsp. dry mustard
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt, divided
1 cup chopped yellow onion (from 1 small onion)
4 medium-size garlic cloves, finely chopped (about 1 1/2 Tbsp.)
1 Tbsp. tomato paste
2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
4 cups beef broth
1 (14.5-oz.) can diced tomatoes, undrained
2 Tbsp. ketchup
12 oz. baby red potatoes, quartered
2 cups frozen mixed vegetables (corn, carrots, and green beans)

Croutons:

2 (1 1/2-oz.) hamburger buns, cut into 3/4-in. pieces
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1/4 tsp. kosher salt

Directions

Cook ground beef:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high. Add ground chuck, mustard, oregano, and 1 teaspoon of the salt; cook, stirring occasionally, until crumbled and browned, about 8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer beef mixture to a bowl lined with paper towels, reserving 1 tablespoon drippings in Dutch oven.
Cook onion, garlic, and tomato paste:

Return Dutch oven to medium heat, and add onion. Cook, stirring often, until softened, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and tomato paste; cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant and warmed through, about 1 minute.
Add flour and broth:

Add flour; cook, stirring often, 1 minute. Add broth, tomatoes, and ketchup, scraping bottom of pan to loosen browned bits.
Return beef to pan:

Stir in cooked beef. Increase heat to medium-high, and bring to a boil.
Add potatoes and vegetables:

Add potatoes and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt; reduce heat to medium. Simmer until potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes. Stir in mixed vegetables, and cook until warmed through, 2 to 3 minutes.
Prepare the Croutons:

While potatoes cook, toss together bun pieces, olive oil, and salt on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet; spread into a single layer. Bake in preheated oven until golden and crisp, about 10 minutes. Serve with Stew.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make hamburger stew in a slow-cooker?

This hamburger stew can also be prepared in a slow-cooker. Prepare as directed through Step 3, then transfer to a slow-cooker. Add potatoes. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or HIGH for 3 to 4 until potatoes are tender. Add vegetables in the last 15 minutes of cooking to heat through. Garnish with croutons before serving.
How can I thicken hamburger stew?

This stew is thickened with flour, but you can adjust the consistency before serving with a cornstarch slurry if desired.
Can I substitute the ground chuck with a leaner type of ground beef for hamburger stew?

Feel free to substitute the ground chuck with leaner types of ground beef if preferred.