Crockpot Ground Beef & Pepper Stew: A Cozy, Flavor-Packed One-Pot Meal

When you want a comforting dinner that feels homemade without requiring hours of hands-on cooking, Crockpot Ground Beef & Pepper Stew is an excellent choice. This hearty slow-cooker meal combines savory ground beef, sweet bell peppers, tender vegetables, tomatoes, and aromatic seasonings in a rich broth that becomes increasingly flavorful as it simmers.

What makes this stew especially appealing is its simplicity. After a little preparation, the crockpot takes over, gently cooking everything together until the beef is tender, the vegetables are soft, and the flavors have melded into one satisfying dish. It is the kind of meal that works beautifully on a chilly evening, but it is also easy enough for a busy weekday.

Why You’ll Love This Ground Beef & Pepper Stew

This recipe is designed around familiar ingredients rather than complicated techniques. Ground beef provides a hearty base, while colorful bell peppers contribute sweetness and a little freshness. Tomatoes add acidity and richness, and potatoes help make the stew substantial enough to serve as a complete meal.

Another advantage is its flexibility. You can adjust the vegetables, increase the seasoning, add a little heat, or make the stew thicker depending on your preference.

What Makes It Different?

Unlike some slow-cooker beef stews that rely on large chunks of beef, this version uses ground beef, which distributes throughout the broth and creates a wonderfully hearty texture. The peppers soften into the sauce while still contributing their distinctive flavor.

The result is somewhere between a classic beef stew and a cozy stuffed-pepper-inspired dish.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For approximately 6 servings, gather:

• 1 ½ pounds ground beef
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 bell peppers, preferably a mixture of red, green, and yellow, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into bite-sized cubes
• 1 can (14–15 ounces) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
• 3 cups beef broth
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tablespoon olive oil, if needed for browning

Optional Additions

You can personalize the stew with:

• Chopped carrots
• Celery
• Corn
• Green beans
• Red pepper flakes
• A pinch of chili powder
• Fresh parsley
• Shredded cheddar cheese for serving
• Cooked rice for serving

If you like a slightly spicy stew, a small amount of crushed red pepper or chili powder gives it extra warmth without overpowering the peppers.

Step-by-Step Method

Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables

Begin by washing and preparing all of your vegetables.

Dice the onion into small pieces and chop the bell peppers into roughly equal-sized chunks. Peel the potatoes and cut them into bite-sized cubes.

Try to keep the potato pieces relatively uniform. This helps them cook at approximately the same rate in the crockpot.

Mince the garlic and set everything aside.

Tip: A combination of red, yellow, and green peppers gives the finished stew a beautiful variety of colors and flavors. Red and yellow peppers are sweeter, while green peppers provide a more savory, slightly bitter note.

Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef

Although you can technically put raw ground beef directly into a slow cooker, browning it first gives the stew significantly more flavor and a better texture.

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it apart with a wooden spoon or spatula.

Cook for approximately 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beef is thoroughly browned.

If there is a substantial amount of excess fat, carefully drain it.

Why Brown the Beef First?

Browning creates deeper savory flavors through the Maillard reaction. It also prevents the finished stew from having a boiled or overly soft texture.

This extra step takes only a few minutes but can make a noticeable difference.

Step 3: Add the Aromatics

Once the beef has browned, add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet.

Cook for approximately 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onion begins to soften and the garlic becomes fragrant.

You don’t need to completely cook the onion at this stage. It will continue softening in the slow cooker.

Step 4: Build the Stew Base

Transfer the browned beef, onion, and garlic into your crockpot.

Add:

• Chopped bell peppers
• Potatoes
• Diced tomatoes
• Tomato sauce
• Tomato paste
• Beef broth
• Worcestershire sauce
• Smoked paprika
• Sweet paprika
• Italian seasoning
• Oregano
• Black pepper
• Salt
• Bay leaf

Give everything a thorough stir.

The tomato paste is particularly useful here because it adds concentrated tomato flavor and helps give the broth a richer consistency.

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