Easy Cowboy Stew Recipe: A Hearty One-Pot Wonder

Hearty and rustic, this comforting cowboy stew packs a punch of flavor that warms the soul on chilly evenings.

Ranch hands and home cooks alike have long cherished this robust meal packed with tender meat and colorful vegetables.

The classic cowboy stew brings together simple ingredients into a one-pot wonder that speaks of western tradition and home-cooked comfort.

Chunks of beef, potatoes, and seasonal vegetables simmer slowly, creating a rich and satisfying dish.

Each spoonful tells a story of rugged landscapes and campfire cooking.

Ladle this stew into bowls and watch as hungry diners dive into a meal that celebrates the spirit of the American West.

Why Cowboy Stew Brings Bold Flavors to the Table

• Hearty Flavor Explosion: Packed with multiple meats like bacon, sausage, and ground beef, this stew delivers an incredible taste adventure in every spoonful.
• Customizable Comfort Meal: Easily adapt the recipe by adjusting spices or adding different vegetables, making it perfect for personal preferences and using ingredients on hand.
• Crowd-Pleasing Family Feast: Designed to satisfy multiple palates with its rich blend of proteins, vegetables, and robust seasonings, this stew is guaranteed to please everyone at the dinner table.

Ingredients to Make Hearty Cowboy Stew

• Bacon: Crispy flavor booster for the stew.
• Kielbasa Sausage: Smoky Polish sausage adding rich depth.
• Ground Beef: Classic protein base for hearty meal.

• Onion, Garlic: Aromatic base for building flavor.
• Diced Tomatoes, Baked Beans, Sweet Corn, Green Chilies: Colorful vegetable and bean mix.
• Potatoes: Hearty and filling starch component.

• Flour, Salt, Black Pepper, Chili Powder: Spice blend for robust seasoning.
• Parsley: Fresh green garnish for final touch.
• Water: Liquid for simmering and adjusting consistency.

How to Simmer Up a Pot of Cowboy Stew

Step 1: Sizzle The Bacon

Cook chopped bacon in a large pot over medium heat until it turns golden and crispy.

Use a slotted spoon to transfer bacon onto a paper towel-lined plate, allowing excess grease to drain.

Step 2: Caramelize The Sausage

Slide sliced kielbasa into the bacon drippings, browning both sides carefully to develop rich flavor without burning.

Remove sausage and set aside with the bacon.

Step 3: Brown The Beef

Add ground beef, diced onion, and minced garlic to the pot.

Cook until beef loses its pink color and onions become translucent and soft.

Step 4: Create The Flavor Base

• Flour
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Chili powder

Stir thoroughly and cook for one minute to eliminate raw flour taste.

Step 5: Combine All Ingredients

• Diced tomatoes
• Baked beans
• Chopped green chilies
• Sweet corn
• Cubed potatoes
• Cooked bacon
• Browned sausage
• Water

Mix everything evenly.

Step 6: Slow Simmer The Stew

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low.

Cover and let simmer for one hour, stirring occasionally.

Add extra water if stew becomes too thick.

Step 7: Finish And Serve

Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley on top.

Serve steaming hot and enjoy this hearty cowboy-style meal.

Tips to Maximize Cowboy Stew Flavor

• Crisp the bacon thoroughly to release its full smoky essence, ensuring every bite carries a rich, deep taste throughout the stew.
• Use medium-low heat when browning sausage and beef to develop a beautiful caramelized exterior without burning the delicious fond.
• Keep an eye on the stew's thickness during simmering, adding water gradually to maintain a hearty but not overly dry texture.
• Experiment with chili powder quantity or add jalapeños for extra heat, tailoring the stew's spiciness to personal preference.
• Store the stew in the refrigerator overnight, allowing flavors to meld and intensify, making the next-day meal even more delicious.

How to Store and Reheat Cowboy Stew Leftovers

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the stew fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer cooled stew to freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze up to 3 months for later enjoyment.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then warm gently in a pot over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally and add a splash of water to prevent sticking and maintain moisture.
• Pour portion into a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval until heated thoroughly.

What Complements Cowboy Stew Perfectly

• Pair with Bold Red Wine: Select a robust Zinfandel or Cabernet Sauvignon that matches the stew's rich, meaty flavors and cuts through its hearty texture.
• Complement with Crusty Sourdough Bread: Serve thick slices of rustic sourdough to soak up the delicious stew juices and provide a tangy, crispy contrast.
• Match with Crisp Craft Beer: Choose a hoppy IPA or amber ale that stands up to the stew's strong protein profile and adds a refreshing bitter note to each bite.
• Enhance with Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Sprinkle aged cheddar on top of the stew to add a creamy, sharp element that elevates the overall taste and provides extra depth.

Creative Ways to Switch Up Cowboy Stew

• Vegetarian Cowboy Stew: Replace ground beef and kielbasa with plant-based protein alternatives like crumbled tofu, tempeh, or Beyond Meat. Add extra beans for protein boost and maintain hearty texture.
• Gluten-Free Cowboy Stew: Substitute regular flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend to thicken the stew. Ensure all canned ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Low-Sodium Cowboy Stew: Use low-sodium bacon, reduced-sodium canned beans, and eliminate added salt. Enhance flavor with herbs like thyme, rosemary, and extra black pepper instead of salt.
• Keto-Friendly Cowboy Stew: Replace potatoes with cauliflower chunks, omit beans, and increase fatty meats like bacon. Use low-carb vegetables and ensure no added sugars in canned ingredients.

FAQs

• Why is this called Cowboy Stew?

The name comes from its hearty, rustic ingredients that reflect traditional cowboy cooking – using simple, filling meats and vegetables that could easily be prepared over a campfire.

• Can I make this stew in a slow cooker?

Yes, you can! Brown the meats first, then transfer everything to a slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours, which will make the meat extra tender and develop deeper flavors.

• What makes this stew different from other beef stews?

Unlike traditional stews, Cowboy Stew includes multiple types of meat like bacon and kielbasa, plus unique additions like baked beans and green chilies that give it a more complex, robust flavor profile.

• Is this stew spicy?

The stew has a mild heat from chili powder and green chilies. If you prefer more spice, you can add extra chili powder or include some diced jalapeños during cooking.

Cowboy Stew Recipe

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4.6 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Rich, hearty Cowboy Stew embodies rustic Western comfort with robust beef, tender vegetables, and a soul-warming broth that echoes campfire traditions. Hungry cowboys and weekend warriors will savor this one-pot meal that delivers classic frontier flavors in every satisfying spoonful.

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Ingredients

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Meats:

• 1.5 pounds ground beef (80/20)
• 2 (12-ounce) packages kielbasa sausage, cut into 0.5 inch slices
• 4 slices bacon, chopped

Vegetables and Beans:

• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 0.5 inch cubes
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can petite diced tomatoes, with liquid
• 1 (7-ounce) can chopped green chilies, with liquid
• 1 (15-ounce) can sweet corn, with liquid
• 2 (16-ounce) cans baked beans, with liquid

Seasonings and Liquids:

• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 cup water
• 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Render the bacon in a spacious pot over medium heat until golden and crisp. Transfer the crispy pieces to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving the rendered fat.
2. Sear the kielbasa sausage in the bacon drippings, achieving a rich caramelized exterior. Remove and set aside with the bacon.
3. Sauté ground beef, onions, and garlic in the same pot until the meat loses its raw appearance and the onions become translucent.
4. Dust the beef mixture with flour, salt, black pepper, and chili powder. Toast the spices briefly to eliminate the raw flour taste and enhance the aromatics.
5. Introduce diced tomatoes, baked beans, green chilies, sweet corn, and cubed potatoes into the pot. Combine the reserved bacon and sausage with the mixture, adding water to create a cohesive base.
6. Elevate the temperature to initiate boiling, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer. Cover and allow the stew to meld and tenderize for approximately one hour, stirring periodically to prevent scorching.
7. Verify the potato tenderness and overall flavor integration. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve this robust, rustic stew piping hot.

Notes

• Swap out ground beef for ground turkey or plant-based crumbles to create a leaner, lighter version of this rustic stew.
• Reduce sodium by using low-sodium beans and choosing reduced-fat bacon and kielbasa for a heart-healthy adaptation.
• Enhance vegetable content by adding diced bell peppers, carrots, or zucchini during the cooking process for extra nutrition and color.
• Prepare this stew in a slow cooker by browning meats first, then transferring everything to the slow cooker and cooking on low for 6-8 hours for deeper, more developed flavors.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 460
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 1180 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 7 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg