If groceries feel higher than ever, you’re not alone. That’s why I love hobo stew. It’s cozy, hearty , and made from whatever’s in the pantry. It turns simple ingredients into a meal everyone will love.

Overhead shot of hobo stew completely cooked and ready to serve.  - 1

The Best Parts About This Recipe

  • Easy one-pot meal: Everything cooks in one pot for quick prep and easy cleanup. Very similar to my Shipwreck Stew !
  • Flexible ingredients: Swap in whatever you have, frozen veggies, canned tomatoes, or leftover meat.
  • Budget-friendly dinner: Made with inexpensive ingredients that stretch to feed the whole family.

Hobo Stew Ingredients

Overhead shot of labeled ingredients.  - 2
  • Swap the Meat: Using stew meat? Simmer it with the veggies and broth for 1 hour, then add potatoes, peas, and corn. Cook 30 minutes more.
  • Mix Up the Base: No tomato juice? Use V-8 , tomato sauce, or tomato soup instead.

How to Make Hobo Stew

Hobo stew (Mulligan stew) is all about using what you’ve got and making it work. Just toss what you have into the pot. It’s similar to my cowboy soup , but heartier and with different seasonings for a whole different flavor.

  1. Cook Beef: Heat a large Dutch oven over medium high heat . A dd olive oil and ground beef, and cook and crumble until it begins to brown and is no longer pink.
  2. Add Veggies: Add onion, carrots, mushrooms, and minced garlic.
  3. Cook Veggies: Cook for 4-5 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
  4. Add & Simmer: Add Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning , canned diced tomatoes, beef broth, tomato juice, chopped potatoes, frozen corn, frozen peas, and salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a simmer, then turn the heat to medium low and cover. Simmer hobo stew for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally until the potatoes are tender.
Ground beef cooking in a dutch oven. - 3

Alyssa’s Pro Tip

Hobo stew is meant to add “what you got to the pot” . Use what you have in your fridge, freezer, or pantry. Frozen, fresh, or canned vegetables will work.

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Ingredients1x2x3x

  • ▢ 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ▢ 1 ½ pounds ground beef
  • ▢ 1 cup diced onion about half a large onion
  • ▢ 1 cup chopped carrots
  • ▢ 8 ounces sliced mushrooms
  • ▢ 2 teaspoons minced garlic about 2 cloves
  • ▢ 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • ▢ 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • ▢ 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes not drained
  • ▢ 2 cups beef broth
  • ▢ 2 cups tomato juice or V-8
  • ▢ 2 cups chopped potatoes peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
  • ▢ 1 cup frozen corn
  • ▢ 1 cup frozen peas
  • ▢ salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1 ½ pounds ground beef and cook and crumble until it begins to brown and is no longer pink.
  • Add 1 cup diced onion , 1 cup chopped carrots , 8 ounces sliced mushrooms , and 2 teaspoons minced garlic , and cook for 4-5 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
  • Add 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce , 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning , 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes , 2 cups beef broth , 2 cups tomato juice , 2 cups chopped potatoes , 1 cup frozen corn , 1 cup frozen peas , and salt and pepper to taste . Bring to a simmer, then turn the heat to medium-low and cover. Simmer for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally until the potatoes are tender.

Video

Notes

Storage and Reheating Instructions
  • Storage: Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
  • Freezer: Cool completely, then store in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months.
  • Reheating: Thaw in the fridge overnight, then reheat on the stovetop until heated through.

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Bowl of hobo stew with gold spoon. - 4

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Hobo Stew

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 ½ pounds ground beef
  • 1 cup diced onion about half a large onion
  • 1 cup chopped carrots
  • 8 ounces sliced mushrooms
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic about 2 cloves
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes not drained
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 2 cups tomato juice or V-8
  • 2 cups chopped potatoes peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1 ½ pounds ground beef and cook and crumble until it begins to brown and is no longer pink.
  • Add 1 cup diced onion , 1 cup chopped carrots , 8 ounces sliced mushrooms , and 2 teaspoons minced garlic , and cook for 4-5 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
  • Add 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce , 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning , 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes , 2 cups beef broth , 2 cups tomato juice , 2 cups chopped potatoes , 1 cup frozen corn , 1 cup frozen peas , and salt and pepper to taste . Bring to a simmer, then turn the heat to medium-low and cover. Simmer for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally until the potatoes are tender.

Video

Notes

Storage and Reheating Instructions
  • Storage: Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
  • Freezer: Cool completely, then store in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months.
  • Reheating: Thaw in the fridge overnight, then reheat on the stovetop until heated through.

Nutrition

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Hobo Stew https://therecipecritic.com/hobo-stew/