Servings: 6 to 8
If you are looking for a hearty, frugal, and deeply comforting meal that practically cooks itself, this Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Mulligan Stew is exactly what you need. It features savory ground beef, tender potatoes, and sweet onions simmered in a rich, tomato-based broth. It is the ultimate old-fashioned comfort food, perfect for a cold evening or a busy weeknight.
The magic of this recipe lies in its simplicity. With just four simple ingredients, you can create a hearty, satisfying stew that tastes like it simmered on the stove all day. The slow cooker does all the work, melding the flavors together into a rich, savory, and deeply satisfying dish.
Why This Recipe Works
This recipe relies on the magic of layering. Placing the potatoes and onions on top of the beef and under the tomatoes allows them to cook gently in the flavorful broth. The tomatoes provide a rich, tangy base that infuses the entire stew with flavor. Cooking low and slow ensures the potatoes become incredibly tender and the onions melt into the broth.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef (80–85% lean)
- 4 cups peeled and diced russet potatoes (about 3–4 medium potatoes)
- 2 cups diced yellow onion (about 2 medium onions)
- 2 cans (28 ounces each) crushed or diced tomatoes with juice
Directions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it into small crumbles as it cooks. Cook until no pink remains and most of the liquid has evaporated, 7–10 minutes. Drain off excess grease if desired to keep the stew from being too oily.
- Add the browned ground beef to the bottom of a large slow cooker (5–6 quarts works well), spreading it out in an even layer.
- Layer the diced potatoes over the beef in the slow cooker, then scatter the diced onions evenly over the top. Do not stir yet; this helps the potatoes and onions cook evenly in the tomato broth.
- Pour the canned tomatoes with all their juices over the onions and potatoes, covering everything as much as possible. If the tomatoes are very thick, you can gently shake the slow cooker or lightly press down with a spoon to help the liquid settle around the ingredients.
- Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW for 7–8 hours or on HIGH for 4–5 hours, until the potatoes are very tender and the onions are soft and almost melting into the broth.
- Once the cooking time is up, gently stir the stew from the bottom to combine the beef, potatoes, onions, and tomatoes into a rich, dark, tomato-based broth. Taste and add a pinch of salt and pepper at the table if you like, but remember the spirit of this stew is simple and frugal.
- Serve the mulligan stew hot, ladled straight from the slow cooker, making sure each bowl gets plenty of beef, potatoes, onions, and broth. Keep it on the WARM setting if your family will be coming back for seconds throughout the evening.
Tips for the Best Results
Brown the beef well. Browning the ground beef before adding it to the slow cooker adds a deep, savory flavor to the stew. Drain off excess grease to prevent the stew from becoming oily.
Cut the potatoes evenly. Uniform chunks ensure they cook at the same rate and become tender at the same time.
Don’t stir until the end. Layering the ingredients and leaving them undisturbed allows the potatoes and onions to cook evenly in the tomato broth. Stir gently at the end to combine everything.
Watch the salt. Canned tomatoes can be quite salty. Wait until the stew is fully cooked before tasting and adding any extra salt.
Add a little flair. While this is a 4-ingredient recipe, a pinch of dried oregano, a dash of Worcestershire sauce, or a sprinkle of fresh parsley on top before serving are all delicious additions.
Storage and Serving
Store leftover stew in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through. This stew freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Serve it with crusty bread, a simple green salad, or a slice of cornbread.
Hearty, savory, and completely hands-off, this Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Mulligan Stew is a fantastic recipe to keep in your rotation for easy, comforting meals.