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Easy Hearty Poor Man’s Stew with Smoked Sausage

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A rich, smoky slow cooker stew with smoked sausage, potatoes, and vegetables that tastes like a warm hug in a bowl. Perfect for busy weeknights or cold days.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound smoked sausage, sliced into ½-inch rounds
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes (about 4 cups)
  • 3 large carrots, peeled and sliced into ½-inch rounds (about 1½ cups)
  • 2 stalks celery, sliced (about ½ cup)
  • 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes, with their juices
  • 1 can (15 ounces) corn kernels, drained
  • 1 can (15 ounces) green beans, drained
  • 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 1 can (10.5 ounces) condensed tomato soup
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water (optional, for thickening)

Instructions

  1. Brown the sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sliced sausage in a single layer and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until deeply browned. Transfer to a plate with a slotted spoon; do not clean the skillet.
  2. Sauté aromatics: Reduce heat to medium. Add diced onion to the same skillet and cook for 2 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, scraping up browned bits.
  3. Layer the slow cooker: Place cubed potatoes, sliced carrots, and celery in the bottom of a 6-quart or larger slow cooker. Top with drained corn, green beans, and browned sausage.
  4. Add liquids and seasonings: In a bowl, whisk together beef broth, condensed tomato soup, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt. Pour over vegetables and sausage. Add diced tomatoes with their juices. Tuck bay leaves into the liquid.
  5. Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Do not lift the lid for the first 4 hours.
  6. Optional thickening: If desired, 30 minutes before serving, stir in cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with cold water). Cook on high for an additional 30 minutes until thickened.
  7. Finish: Remove bay leaves. Taste and adjust seasonings. Serve hot with crusty bread or crackers.

Notes

For best results, brown the sausage first to develop deep flavor. Cut vegetables uniformly for even cooking. Layer dense vegetables on the bottom of the slow cooker. Resist lifting the lid during cooking. Season conservatively at first; adjust at the end. The stew thickens as it sits; add broth when reheating if needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: poor man's stew, smoked sausage stew, slow cooker stew, hearty stew, budget-friendly stew, comfort food, easy stew recipe

Find it online: https://forkmila.com/easy-hearty-poor-mans-stew-with-smoked-sausage/