Easy & Flavorful Hearty Crockpot Cowboy Soup Recipe

Cowboy soup emerges as a rustic culinary adventure that warms every corner of your kitchen.

Robust ingredients dance together in a slow cooker, creating magic with minimal effort.

Chunky vegetables and tender meats meld into a comforting blend that speaks to classic American cooking traditions.

Unexpected spices add depth to this one-pot wonder, making meal preparation a breeze.

Simple techniques transform basic pantry staples into something extraordinary and satisfying.

Each spoonful promises a journey through hearty, soul-nourishing flavors that connect you to frontier-style cooking.

Cowboy Soup That’s Hearty and Full of Flavor

• Dump and Go Convenience: Toss ingredients into the crockpot without complex prep, making this recipe perfect for busy weekdays when time is tight and energy is low.
• Minimal Effort Cooking: Let the crockpot handle the cooking process, reducing hands-on time and creating a delicious meal with minimal kitchen work and maximum flavor impact.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Packed with hearty beans, beef, and zesty seasonings, this soup delivers satisfying warmth that appeals to both kids and adults, making it an ideal family dinner option.
• Adaptable Meal Prep: Easily customize the soup by swapping beans, adjusting spice levels, or adding extra vegetables, providing flexibility for different dietary preferences and pantry ingredients.

Ingredients for Hearty Crockpot Cowboy Soup

• Ground Beef: A hearty protein that adds richness and depth to the soup, best when lean for less grease.

• Kidney Beans, Pinto Beans, Black Beans: Protein-packed legumes that provide texture and nutrition, choose canned or pre-cooked for convenience.
• Corn Kernels: Sweet vegetable that adds color and fresh flavor to the soup.
• Onion: Aromatic base that provides a savory foundation for the dish.
• Garlic: Adds bold, pungent flavor and enhances overall taste profile.

• Diced Tomatoes: Provides liquid base and tangy flavor, fire-roasted varieties add extra depth.
• Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies: Adds a spicy kick and extra moisture to the soup.
• Diced Green Chilies: Introduces mild heat and southwestern flavor.
• Beef Broth: Creates the soup's liquid base, rich and flavorful.
• Taco Seasoning Mix: Brings classic southwestern spice blend.
• Ranch Dressing Mix: Adds creamy, herbal undertones.

• Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Melty topping that adds richness.
• Sour Cream: Creamy, cooling element to balance spices.
• Green Onions: Fresh, mild onion flavor for garnish.

• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile.
• Black Pepper: Adds mild heat and complexity.

Cowboy Soup Instructions for the Slow Cooker

Step 1: Sizzle Beef

Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat until fully cooked.

Make sure to drain off any extra fat to keep the soup lean and delicious.

Step 2: Awaken Aromatics

Toss chopped onions and minced garlic into the skillet with the beef.

Let them dance together for 2-3 minutes until the onions become soft and fragrant.

Step 3: Crockpot Magic Begins

Transfer the beef, onions, and garlic into your trusty slow cooker, ready to transform into a hearty meal.

Step 4: Ingredient Celebration

• Diced tomatoes
• Kidney beans
• Pinto beans
• Black beans
• Corn kernels
• Diced tomatoes with green chilies
• Diced green chilies
• Taco seasoning mix
• Ranch dressing mix

Step 5: Liquid Love

Pour beef broth over the ingredients and give everything a good stir to blend all the flavors together.

Step 6: Flavor Finishing

Sprinkle salt and pepper to enhance the taste according to your preference.

Step 7: Slow Cook Transformation

Cover the crockpot and let it work its magic.

Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the soup is bubbling with flavor.

Step 8: Serve With Style

Ladle the steaming cowboy soup into bowls.

Top with shredded cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and a sprinkle of chopped green onions for an extra burst of deliciousness.

Hearty Cowboy Soup Tips Straight from the Slow Cooker

• Swap or mix beans based on preference or availability, ensuring a personalized flavor profile and texture variation.
• Use low-sodium beef broth and taco seasoning to control salt intake without compromising taste.
• Add diced rotisserie chicken or shredded turkey for a protein-packed alternative to ground beef.
• Incorporate extra vegetables like diced bell peppers or zucchini to increase nutritional value and add vibrant colors.
• Portion and freeze leftovers in airtight containers for convenient meal prep, maintaining soup's rich flavors up to 3 months.

Store Cowboy Soup for Later

• Store leftover soup in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion, and freeze up to 3 months for later enjoyment.
• Transfer frozen or refrigerated soup to a pot, heat over medium-low temperature, stirring occasionally until warmed completely and reaching 165°F.
• Place soup in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval to ensure even heating.

Hearty Crockpot Cowboy Soup Easy Sides

• Boost Cowboy Soup's Flavor Profile
• Unleash Zesty Mexican Beer Pairing: Pair this hearty soup with a crisp Corona or Dos Equis to complement the robust beef and spicy taco seasoning, cutting through the rich flavors with a refreshing touch.
• Create Cornbread Companion: Serve warm, slightly sweet cornbread on the side to soak up the soup's delicious broth and provide a perfect textural contrast with its crumbly, golden structure.
• Elevate with Fresh Garnish Combo: Top the soup with sharp cheddar cheese, cool sour cream, and bright green onions to add layers of temperature and flavor that make each spoonful more exciting and balanced.
• Enhance with Southwest Salad: Prepare a light cilantro-lime dressed salad with mixed greens, bell peppers, and avocado to provide a fresh, crisp counterpoint to the soup's hearty and rich profile.

Cowboy Soup Crockpot Ideas

• Vegetarian Cowboy Stew: Replace ground beef with plant-based protein like textured vegetable protein or crumbled firm tofu, maintaining the same spicy and hearty flavor profile.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use certified gluten-free taco and ranch seasoning mixes, ensuring all ingredient labels confirm gluten-free status.
• Low-Sodium Version: Select no-salt-added canned beans and tomatoes, use low-sodium beef broth, and reduce additional salt to control sodium intake.
• Spicy Southwest Remix: Add diced jalapeños, increase green chilies quantity, and incorporate smoky chipotle powder for an extra kick of heat and complex flavor.

FAQs

• Is this soup spicy?

The soup has a mild kick from green chilies and taco seasoning, but it’s not overly hot. You can adjust the spice level by choosing mild or hot taco seasoning or reducing the green chilies.

• Can I make this recipe without a crockpot?

Yes, you can prepare this soup in a large pot on the stovetop. Brown the beef, sauté onions, add all ingredients, and simmer on low heat for about 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally.

• Can I use different types of beans?

Absolutely! You can substitute beans based on availability or preference. Try great northern beans, cannellini beans, or red beans as alternatives to the suggested kidney, pinto, and black beans.

• Is this soup nutritious?

This cowboy soup is packed with protein from ground beef and beans, and contains vegetables like corn and tomatoes. It’s a balanced, hearty meal with a good mix of nutrients and fiber.

Hearty Crockpot Cowboy Soup Recipe

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4.9 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 7 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Cowboy soup brings wild western comfort straight to dinner tables with robust flavors and rustic charm. Ranch-style ingredients combine in this simple crockpot creation, promising satisfying warmth you’ll crave after a long day’s adventure.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef

Vegetables and Seasonings:

• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 packet taco seasoning mix
• 1 packet ranch dressing mix
• Salt and pepper to taste

Canned Ingredients:

• 1 can (15 ounces, 425 grams) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (15 ounces, 425 grams) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 ounces, 425 grams) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 ounces, 425 grams) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 ounces, 425 grams) corn kernels, drained
• 1 can (10 ounces, 284 grams) diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 1 can (4 ounces, 113 grams) diced green chilies
• 4 cups (946 milliliters) beef broth

Garnish:

• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Sour cream
• Chopped green onions

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Instructions

1. Prepare the ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat, thoroughly cooking and eliminating excess grease.
2. Introduce chopped onions and minced garlic to the browned meat, gently sautéing until onions become translucent and aromatic.
3. Migrate the seasoned meat mixture into the crockpot, creating a robust flavor foundation.
4. Cascade an array of vibrant ingredients: kidney, pinto, and black beans, sweet corn kernels, zesty diced tomatoes, fiery green chilies, and tangy tomato blend.
5. Sprinkle taco and ranch seasoning mixes over the ingredient landscape, ensuring comprehensive flavor distribution.
6. Delicately pour beef broth into the crockpot, tenderly mixing all components to create a harmonious culinary symphony.
7. Calibrate salt and pepper levels to personal taste preferences, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
8. Secure the crockpot lid and allow the soup to simmer and meld flavors – low setting for 6-8 hours or high setting for 3-4 hours.
9. When ready to serve, ladle the steaming soup into bowls and adorn with a sprinkle of sharp cheddar cheese, dollop of creamy sour cream, and a garnish of freshly chopped green onions.

Notes

• Customize bean varieties by swapping or mixing different types for unique flavor profiles and textures.
• Reduce sodium content by using low-sodium beef broth and taco seasoning mix.
• Enhance protein intake by adding extra lean ground beef or replacing with ground turkey for a lighter option.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 7 hours (on Low) or 4 hours (on High)
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 330
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 10 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg