Here’s a simple, hearty Poor Man’s Stew recipe—cheap, filling, and easy to make with pantry staples.
Ingredients
- 1–2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2–3 carrots, chopped
- 2–3 potatoes, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped (optional)
- 1–2 cups cooked beans or lentils (optional, for protein)
- 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika or chili powder (optional)
- 1 tsp dried thyme or mixed herbs
- Optional: 1 cup chopped cabbage or frozen peas
Instructions
1. Sauté the vegetables
- Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add onions and garlic; sauté until soft and fragrant (2–3 minutes).
- Add carrots, potatoes, and celery; cook for another 3–5 minutes.
2. Add liquids and seasoning
- Pour in broth.
- Add salt, pepper, paprika, and herbs.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low.
3. Simmer the stew
- Cover and simmer for 20–30 minutes, until vegetables are tender.
- Stir in beans, lentils, or peas, if using.
- Cook another 5–10 minutes to heat through.
4. Serve
- Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Serve hot with bread, rice, or on its own.
✅ Tips:
- You can make it completely vegan or vegetarian by using vegetable broth.
- Add cheap cuts of meat if you want a non-vegetarian version (like stew beef or chicken thighs).
- Leftovers taste even better the next day as the flavors develop.
If you want, I can also give you a “super lazy version” using just a few pantry staples and canned ingredients that still tastes amazing.
Do you want me to do that?