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Easy Hobo Stew

Hobo Stew is a hearty soup, made with budget friendly ingredients, that is versatile and feeds a crowd!

two bowls of an easy recipe for hobo stew

Hobo Stew

If you’ve heard of Hobo Packets, then you are in luck because I have a tasty twist on them! Those tasty, easy to prep, foil packets full of beef stew ingredients, that you cook over a campfire, just turned into a campfire stew that you can make at home.

Often called Hobo Soup or Mulligan Stew, it’s an incredibly versatile soup/stew recipe that you can make at home, over a campfire, or in a slow cooker.

Think of your favorite vegetable soup but with a little meat to make it even heartier!

It’s great because you can switch up any of the ingredients to customize it to your family’s liking!

Why you will love this recipe:

  • uses pantry ingredients
  • budget friendly
  • easy to make
  • great freezer meal
  • feeds a crowd
  • stove top or slow cooker!
labeled picture of hobo stew ingredients like baby carrots, large onion, and lima beans

Ingredients Needed

Ground Beef – Use a lean ground beef (93/7 is best). Substitute, ground chicken,  ground turkey, or ground lamb.

Onion – A medium sized sweet onion is best.

Bell Pepper – A red bell pepper is sweet and add some color but you can use your favorite or leave it out all together.

Mixed Vegetables – I like to use frozen mixed vegetables that consists of peas, carrots, corn, and cut green beans.

Onion Soup Mix – This is great for flavor and helps to thicken the hobo stew a little bit. Substitute Italian seasoning or ranch seasoning.

Potatoes – I like to use Russet potatoes or you can substitute sweet potatoes. Peel and dice them small so they will cook fast and evenly.

Broth – You can use beef broth or beef stock. You can use chicken broth or even water and beef bouillon in a pinch.

Tomato Juice – Choose a low sodium version or you can go with V8 juice. Try the spicy one for more of a kick!

Ranch Beans – I like the seasonings in the ranch beans but you can substitute your favorite pinto beans or leave them out all together.

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How to make Hobo Stew

First: In a large dutch oven or large pot, cook the ground beef and onion in the olive oil over medium high heat. Cook until the beef is no longer pink.

Drain if desired and return the ground meat mixture to the pot.

Second: Add in the bell pepper, garlic, soup mix, beans, green beans, potatoes, carrots, and corn. Add in the rest of the ingredients. Stir to mix.

Third: Add in the broth and tomato juice. Bring to a boil stirring occasionally, and reduce heat to a simmer.

Fourth: Cover and simmer on low for 20 – 30 minutes or until the potatoes are tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm with crusty bread!

For the full recipe and detailed baking instructions, please see the recipe card at the end of this post.

ladle of stew over a pot

How long does it last?

Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave or stove top until warmed through.

Can I freeze Hobo Stew?

This Hobo Stew freezes beautifully! It’s a good thing because it makes quite a few servings so it’s great for saving leftovers for later.

Can I make it in a slow cooker or crock pot?

Yes, you can! Brown the ground beef and then add it and the remaining ingredients to the slow cooker or crock pot. Cook on high for 2 hours or low for 4 hours.

This does increase the cooking time but mostly hands off and you can come home to it already done!

Check out these other delicious soup recipes!

pot of stew with a spoonful

Tips for No Leftovers

  • Add in your favorite vegetables to make this hobo stew your own!
  • Instead of onion soup mix, substitute your own seasoning mix. I like to use creole or steak seasoning.
  • Substitute the ranch beans for baked beans or kidney beans.
  • Don’t like one of the vegetables? Leave it out and double up on another one.
  • You can substitute the tomato juice for V-8 or spicy V-8 juice.
  • Spice it up with dashes of hot sauce or a can of chopped green chilies.
  • Want more tomato flavor? Add in a can of drained diced tomatoes.

If you love this recipe as much as I do, please write a five-star review in the comment section below (or on Pinterest with the “tried it” button – you can now add pictures into reviews, too!), and be sure to help me share on facebook!

ladle of stew with text "super easy"

This Hobo Soup Recipe is easy to make, budget friendly with ground beef and frozen veggies, feeds a crowd, and is a great freezer meal!

pot of hobo stew

Hobo Stew

Yield: 12 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Hobo Stew is a hearty soup, made with budget friendly ingredients, that is versatile and feeds a crowd!

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion (diced small)
  • 1 bell pepper (seeded, diced)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
  • 1 (1 ounce) package onion soup mix
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 2 cups tomato juice
  • 3 large Russet potatoes (peeled, diced)
  • 30 ounces frozen mixed vegetables
  • 1 can (15.25 ounces) ranch beans (undrained)

Instructions

    1. In a large dutch oven or large pot, cook the ground beef and onion in the olive oil over medium high heat. Cook until the beef is no longer pink. Drain if desired and return the beef mixture to the pot.
    2. Add in the bell pepper, garlic, soup mix, beans, green beans, potatoes, carrots, and corn. Stir to mix.
    3. Add in remaining ingredients. Stir to mix.
    4. Add in the broth and tomato juice. Mix to combine.
    5. Bring to a boil stirring occasionally, and reduce heat to a simmer.
    6. Cover and simmer on low for 20 - 30 minutes or until the potatoes are tender. Season with salt and pepper if desired.
    7. Serve warm with crusty bread or a fresh salad!
    8. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Add in your favorite vegetables to make this hobo stew your own!
  • Instead of onion soup mix, substitute your own seasoning mix. I like to use creole or steak seasoning.
  • Substitute the ranch beans for baked beans or kidney beans.
  • Don't like one of the vegetables? Leave it out and double up on another one.
  • You can substitute the tomato juice for V-8 or spicy V-8 juice.
  • Spice it up with dashes of hot sauce or a can of chopped green chilies.
  • Want more tomato flavor? Add in a can of drained diced tomatoes.
  • Nutrition Information:
    Yield: 12 Serving Size: 12 ounces
    Amount Per Serving: Calories: 321Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 50mgSodium: 461mgCarbohydrates: 33gFiber: 6gSugar: 6gProtein: 21g

    This nutrition information was generated via a third party, Nutritionix, and can not be held liable for any discrepancies in the information provided.

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