Crock Pot French Onion Poor Man's Stew

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• 1 pound ground beef
  Ingredient note

  Source: 1 pound ground beef
• 1 each medium yellow onion, diced
  Ingredient note

  Source: 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 each medium yellow or Yukon Gold potatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces
  Ingredient note

  Source: 3 medium yellow or Yukon Gold potatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 3 each medium carrots, peeled and sliced into ½-inch pieces
  Ingredient note

  Source: 3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced into ½-inch pieces
• 14.5 ounces can diced tomatoes with juices, undrained
  Ingredient note

  Source: 14.5 ounces can diced tomatoes with juices, undrained
• 1 ounce packet onion soup mix
  Ingredient note

  Source: 1 ounce packet onion soup mix
• 2 cups beef broth or water (can use low or no salt broth)
  Ingredient note

  Source: 2 cups beef broth or water (can use low or no salt broth)
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  Ingredient note

  Source: ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• As Needed salt
  Ingredient note

  Source seasoning: salt, to taste

1. Add the 1 pound ground beefand diced 1 medium yellow onion, diced to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook for 7 to 9 minutes, breaking the beef into crumbles (I like to keep the crumbles a little on the larger side), until the meat is fully browned and the onion has softened.
2. Drain the excess grease from the beef and onion mixture.
3. Add the 3 medium yellow or Yukon Gold potatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces and 3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced into ½-inch pieces to a 6-quart slow cooker. Spoon the cooked beef and onion mixture over the vegetables.
4. Add the 14.5 ounces can diced tomatoes with juices, undrained with their juices and sprinkle the 1 ounce packet onion soup mix and ¼ teaspoon black pepper over the ingredients.
5. Pour in the 2 cups beef broth or water and gently stir everything together.
6. Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours, until the potatoes and carrots are fork-tender.NOTE: Please go by doneness and not just time. These days, different slow cookers seem to cook at different speeds so it could take longer (or shorter) in your particular crock pot.
7. Stir well before serving. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
8. Ladle into bowls and serve hot, enjoy!