Hearty, simple, and budget-friendly, Hoosier Stew is a comforting dinner made with green beans, potatoes, and smoked sausage. Use canned or fresh ingredients—either way, it’s a cozy, frugal favorite!
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I’m letting my Indiana roots show with this recipe… Hoosier Stew is one of those classic, no-fuss meals that’s stood the test of time. Made with just a handful of simple ingredients, it’s a hearty dish that’s as easy on the budget as it is satisfying.
Whether you’re using fresh produce or keeping it ultra-frugal with canned vegetables, this one-pot wonder comes together with minimal prep and maximum comfort. Perfect for busy weeknights or stretching ingredients at the end of the week, Hoosier Stew proves that delicious doesn’t have to mean complicated.
For another deliciously easy smoked sausage recipe, make sure to try my Sheet Pan Sausage and Pierogies.
Ingredients
equipment
- Knife and Cutting Board
- Pot or Dutch Oven
- Measuring Cup
- Wooden Spoon
I do include instructions for slow cooker and Instant Pot in the recipe card below should you prefer those cooking methods.
how to make hoosier stew
It really can be as easy as dump your ingredients in a pot and simmer until everything is hot. When using canned green beans and canned diced potatoes, that is exactly what I do.
Now, when I have more time and more funds available to buy fresh ingredients, these are the extra steps I take to build flavor in the dish:
- Melt butter or oil in a pot or dutch oven.
- Sauté sliced onions and the sliced smoked sausage until the onions are softened and the smoked sausage is browned.
- Add in the water and scrape up any brown bits that are stuck to the bottom of the pot. That’s all flavor. 🙂
- Toss in the green beans and potatoes, cover and simmer until the potatoes are fork tender, about 30-40 minutes depending on the size of your potatoes. Cut your baby potatoes into 1/2 or 1/4 to reduce the cooking time if you desire.
Sarah’s Tip: I know it sounds weird, but I love to top my Hoosier Stew with a drizzle of Balsamic glaze. Something about the sweet and bright vinegar goes so well with the rich sausage.
substitutions and variations
While this version uses fresh ingredients, Hoosier Stew is a humble dish that can absolutely be made with canned green beans and canned potatoes. Use what you have or what is within your means and effort.
On nights when I have no energy at all, it is so easy to open a couple cans and slice up some sausage. Low effort, quick and we still have a balanced dinner.
Additionally, you can make this dish on the stovetop, in the Crock Pot or Instant Pot!! See Notes section of the recipe card for details on all cooking methods.
more budget-friendly dinner recipes
- 3-Ingredient Budget-Friendly Beef Stroganoff
- Crescent Taco Ring
- Tater Tot Casserole
- Ground Beef Shepherd’s Pie
- Tuna Pesto Pasta
Hoosier Stew (Green Beans, Potatoes and Smoked Sausage)
Hearty, simple, and budget-friendly, Hoosier Stew is a comforting dinner made with green beans, potatoes, and smoked sausage. Use canned or fresh ingredients—either way, it’s a cozy, frugal favorite!
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 1/2 onion, sliced
- 12 ounces smoked sausage, sliced
- 16 ounces fresh green beans, trimmed
- 16 ounces baby potatoes
- 3/4 cup water
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large pot or dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat.
- Add sliced onions and sauté, stirring occasionally, for 2-3 minutes. Adjust the heat so that the onions soften but don't darken or burn on the edges.
- Add sliced smoked sausage and continue to sauté for 2 minutes, or until the sausage is barely browned.
- Add potatoes, green beans, and water and cover the pot.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer for 30-40 minutes or until the potatoes are fork tender.
- Add salt and pepper to taste and serve.
Notes
Please note that this recipe is so flexible that you can make it as easy, quick and frugal as you want or use fresh ingredients from the garden as you like.
As written, this recipe uses whole baby potatoes, fresh green beans and even adds onion for extra flavor. This is great and delicious. However, you ABSOLUTELY can make this with canned green beans and canned whole or diced potatoes and no added onion. A true frugal meal, it still hits that comfort food.
Whether you drain those canned vegetables is up to you and your personal preference. I like to drain the potatoes but keep the liquid from the green beans so that it is a thick stew rather than a soup. If you have minced onion or minced garlic, feel free to had 1/2 teaspoon of each.
To decrease your cooking time, cut your potatoes into smaller pieces.
You can also cook this meal on pretty much any heat source: stove top, microwave, slow cooker/crock pot, instant pot - they all work!!
Stove Top: For canned, saute the smoked sausage, add green beans and potatoes and heat through - about 15 minutes. For fresh, see above recipe card for instructions.
Crock Pot: For both canned and fresh, add ingredients to slow cooker and cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2 hours.
Instant Pot: Saute smoked sausage using Saute function for 3-4 minutes. Cancel saute function, add all other ingredients and stir to combine. Cook on high pressure for 4 minutes. Allow pressure to naturally release for 5 minutes and then carefully release any remaining pressure.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 460Total Fat: 30gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 67mgSodium: 843mgCarbohydrates: 34gFiber: 6gSugar: 6gProtein: 15g
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