This slow cooker vegetable beef stew is the kind of practical, low-effort dinner that saves busy weeknights when the fridge looks bare and decision fatigue is real. Using just a handful of pantry staples, you can build a warm, comforting stew by layering everything right into the slow cooker, making it a great throwback-style meal that feels simple, filling, and budget-friendly.Serve this stew with saltine crackers, buttered sandwich bread, cornbread, or warm biscuits to soak up the rich broth. If you want to round it out a little more, a simple green salad, coleslaw, or even a scoop of mashed potatoes on the side makes it feel extra cozy and hearty without adding much work.Slow Cooker 5-Ingredient Vegetable Beef StewServings: 6Finished vegetable beef stew in a bowlFinished vegetable beef stew in a bowlIngredients1 pound raw ground beef2 cans mixed vegetables, undrained, about 15 ounces each1 can condensed tomato soup, about 10.5 ounces2 cups beef broth1 packet onion soup mix, about 1 ounceGround beef, canned vegetables, tomato soup, broth, and onion soup mixGround beef, canned vegetables, tomato soup, broth, and onion soup mixDirections1. Add the raw ground beef to the bottom of the slow cooker, breaking it into a few large chunks so it spreads out more evenly.Raw ground beef in the bottom of a slow cookerRaw ground beef in the bottom of a slow cooker2. Pour the undrained mixed vegetables over the beef, then add the condensed tomato soup, beef broth, and onion soup mix.Mixed vegetables and stew ingredients layered in the slow cookerMixed vegetables and stew ingredients layered in the slow cooker3. Stir everything together well, making sure the tomato soup is fully blended into the broth and the beef is distributed throughout the mixture.Stew mixture stirred together in the slow cooker before cookingStew mixture stirred together in the slow cooker before cooking4. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 7 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, stirring once or twice if convenient, until the beef is fully cooked and the flavors have come together.Cooked vegetable beef stew in the slow cookerCooked vegetable beef stew in the slow cooker5. Taste and adjust with salt and pepper if needed, then ladle into bowls and serve hot.Final plated vegetable beef stew with crackersFinal plated vegetable beef stew with crackersVariations & TipsAdd potatoes: If you want an even heartier stew, stir in 2 cups of diced potatoes at the start. Since potatoes absorb liquid, you may want to add an extra 1/2 to 1 cup of broth.Use ground turkey: Ground turkey works well if you want a lighter version. It changes the flavor a bit, but the onion soup mix and tomato base still keep the stew savory and comforting.Make it thicker: For a stew that eats more like a bowl meal than a soup, use just 1 1/2 cups of broth, or leave the lid slightly ajar during the last 30 minutes of cooking to help it reduce.Meal prep tip: This reheats very well, so I like to make it ahead for lunches. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days, and give it a good stir before reheating since the vegetables can settle.Flavor boost: A spoonful of Worcestershire sauce, a pinch of garlic powder, or a bay leaf can add a little extra depth if you have one more ingredient to spare, even though the basic five-ingredient version is great on its own.
Dump canned mixed vegetables over raw ground beef, along with 3 ingredients, into slow cooker for a comforting dinner that’s my default when I don’t know what to make
