Hobo Stew (Mulligan Stew)
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Hobo Stew is a thick and hearty one-pot meal with lots of bold flavors. Loaded with ground beef and vegetables, super budget-friendly and perfect for a crowd!
Hobo stew recipe is also known as mulligan stew and is all about tossing whatever you have on hand into a big pot and making a hearty warm meal out of it.
Table of Contents
Why this recipe works
Ground beef stew is a filling meal that uses pantry ingredients with minimal effort like my One Pot Chicken Stew. Serve it with a side of my Ciabatta Garlic Bread, Honey Corn Bread, or Hoe Cakes. A comforting cozy meal the whole family will love without breaking the bank.
Mulligan Stew Ingredients
Notes
- Ground Beef: You can also use ground chicken or ground turkey.
- Beef broth: I use low-sodium beef broth to help cut back on the salt chicken broth or vegetable broth will also work in a pinch.
- Beef bullion cubes: Really adds maximum flavor.
- Tomato soup: You can also use tomato sauce or tomato juice see my notes in the recipe card for more info.
- Potatoes: I like to use Russet potatoes but red potatoes or Yukon gold are also delicious.
- Diced tomatoes: Fire roasted, or plain both work great.
- Green beans: Fresh or frozen works best. You can use canned just add them during the last part of the cooking time so they don't get mushy.
- Fresh Vegetables: Celery stalks, carrots, green beans, peas, and corn.
How to Make Hobo Stew
- Step 1: Heat a large Dutch oven or large pot on medium-high heat and add the olive oil and ground beef cook until brown and drain the fat.
- Step 2: Add in the carrots, onions, celery, and garlic and cook until soft then add in the flour.
- Step 3: Add in the beef stock, tomato soup, canned tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, cajun seasoning, hot sauce and stir.
- Step 4: Mix in the potatoes green beans, corn, and peas mix and simmer.
Recipe Tips
- If you prefer a thinner stew just add a little more beef stock to the stew to your desired consistency.
- Use sweet potatoes for a touch of sweetness and beautiful color.
- Cut your potatoes into same-size cubes so they cook evenly.
- Consider making a double batch to freeze for a quick and easy weeknight meal.
Recipe Faq's
Also called Mulligan stew or campfire stew which is a stew that was common during the great depression as a community stew and put together with whatever ingredients you have on hand.
No, you can use tomato sauce if you prefer but tomato soup has a bit of sugar in it so the flavor will change slightly without it. V-8 juice is also a great substitution.
Yes, brown the ground beef in a large skillet then add it to the slow cooker followed by the rest of the ingredients and cook on high for 2-3 hours or low 5-6 hours.
Yes, you can! Let the stew cool completely then place it in freezer containers and freeze for up to 3 months.
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Hobo Stew (Mulligan Stew)
Equipment
- 1 7qt Pot
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 cup celery, chopped about 3 stalks
- 2 cups carrots, diced about 3 medium carrots
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups low sodium beef broth
- 2 beef bouillon cubes
- 2 (15-ounce) cans tomato soup
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes do not drain
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon cajun seasoning
- 2-3 cups Russet potatoes diced
- 2 cups frozen corn
- 1 1/2 cups frozen peas
- 2 cups green beans fresh or frozen
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
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Instructions
- Heat a large Dutch oven or pot on medium-high heat and add the ground beef cook for 4-5 minutes just until starting to brown.
- Add in the onion, celery, carrots, and garlic, and cook another 4-5 minutes.
- Sprinkle in the flour stir and cook for about 30 seconds
- Pour in the beef broth, bouillon cubes, tomato soup, diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce and cajun seasoning and mix until combined.
- Add in the potatoes, corn, peas and green beans cover and let simmer over medium low heat for 1 1/2 - 2 hours.
- Add the salt and pepper or more to taste.
Sure any large pot will do.
Can I cook this in a roaster pan? I will be feeding about 50 people
Yes, slow cooker directions are in the notes.
can I use this recipe on a crockpot?
Campbell's concentrated...enjoy!
Haven’t tried this yet, but have a question. The tomato soup you are using, is it ready to eat or like Campbell’s concentrated that you add water to?
I love your recipes they are easy and delicious. Do you have a recipe for cauliflower soup?? Thanks for sharing all your cooking tips and recipes 😊
About 2 cups
How much is a serving size?
Wow I'm so honored and happy it was a hit 🙂