There is something mighty comforting about a supper that asks so little of you and still comes out tasting like you fussed half the day. This slow cooker poor man's beef and tomato is the kind of practical meal folks have been making for generations when the pantry is light, the budget is tighter than you'd like, and everybody still expects a hot plate at the table. Cheap stew meat, canned tomatoes, and a couple of hardworking seasonings simmer down into a rich, homey dish that feels like old-fashioned country cooking at its best.
Spoon this tender beef and tomato mixture over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, rice, or even a thick slice of buttered bread to catch every bit of the juices. A simple side of green beans, corn, or a crisp cucumber salad rounds it out nicely, and if you want to stretch the meal for a bigger family, serve it alongside biscuits and let everyone help themselves.
Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Poor Man's Beef and Tomato
Servings: 6
Ingredients
2 pounds beef stew meat
1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes
1 packet onion soup mix
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Directions
1. Place the beef stew meat in the bottom of the slow cooker and spread it into an even layer.
2. Pour the diced tomatoes, with all their juices, evenly over the meat.
3. Sprinkle the onion soup mix and garlic powder over the top.
4. Cover and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours, until the beef is fork-tender and the tomatoes have cooked down into a savory sauce.
5. Stir gently, taste for seasoning if needed, and serve hot over mashed potatoes, noodles, rice, or bread.
Variations & Tips
Make It Heartier: If you have a little more room in the grocery budget, add sliced onions or a couple of peeled potatoes during the last few hours of cooking. They soak up that tomatoey goodness and help stretch supper a bit further.
For a Thicker Sauce: If you like more of a gravy than a broth, remove the lid for the last 30 minutes of cooking, or stir in a small cornstarch slurry right at the end and let it cook a few minutes more.
Use What You Have: Whole canned tomatoes can be broken up with a spoon if that is what is in the cupboard. Crushed tomatoes will give you a smoother sauce, while petite diced tomatoes keep a chunkier, old-fashioned texture.
Best Budget Tip: Stew meat can sometimes be a little stubborn, so low and slow is your friend here. If it is not tender yet, it simply needs more time. That patient cooking is what turns an inexpensive cut into a supper folks remember.