Hearty Cowboy Stew: A Soul-Warming Family Recipe

When the chill sets in, nothing beats a steaming bowl of cowboy stew that warms you from the inside out.

This hearty cowboy stew delivers robust flavors straight from ranch-style cooking traditions.

Packed with tender meat, chunky vegetables, and rich seasonings, the recipe promises a satisfying meal.

Ranch hands and home cooks alike have cherished this classic comfort dish for generations.

Each spoonful brings a rustic blend of ingredients that tells a story of classic American cuisine.

Minimal prep and straightforward cooking make this stew a go-to option for busy weeknights or lazy weekends.

Grab your largest pot and get ready to create a meal that feels like a warm culinary hug.

Why Cowboy Stew Is Comforting

• Packed with rich, bold tastes from bacon, sausage, and ground beef, this cowboy stew delivers an explosion of deliciousness in every single bite.
• Requires minimal prep work and uses just one pot, making cleanup a breeze and allowing home cooks to spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying their meal.
• Flexible recipe lets you adjust spice levels, swap ingredients, or add extra vegetables to match your personal taste preferences and dietary needs.
• Generous portions and filling ingredients make this stew perfect for feeding large families, game day gatherings, or potluck events where everyone craves satisfying comfort food.

Cowboy Stew Ingredient Essentials

• Bacon: A flavorful and crispy protein that adds depth to the stew.
• Ground Beef: The primary protein that provides a rich and hearty base.
• Sausage: Adds extra savory flavor and texture to the cowboy stew.

• Onion: Provides a sweet and aromatic foundation for the stew.
• Garlic: Enhances the overall flavor profile with its pungent taste.
• Green Chilies: Introduces a mild heat and bright pepper flavor.
• Sweet Corn: Adds a touch of sweetness and vibrant color to the dish.
• Potatoes: Contributes a hearty and filling element to the stew.

• Diced Tomatoes: Provides a tangy and acidic base for the stew.
• Baked Beans: Adds a rich, sweet, and smoky dimension to the recipe.

• Flour: Helps to thicken the stew and create a rich texture.
• Salt, Black Pepper, Chili Powder: Essential seasonings that balance and enhance the overall flavor.

• Parsley: A fresh herb that adds a bright and clean finish to the dish.

• Water: Helps to create the desired consistency and volume of the stew.

Tools for Cowboy Stew Success

• Large Pot: Essential for cooking all ingredients and simmering the stew thoroughly.
• Slotted Spoon: Perfect for removing bacon and sausage from the pot without excess grease.
• Paper Towels: Helps drain excess fat from cooked meats.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping bacon, sausage, onions, and parsley.
• Sharp Knife: Crucial for precise ingredient preparation.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients while cooking.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps add accurate amounts of spices and seasonings.
• Measuring Cup: Useful for adding the correct amount of water.

Cowboy Stew Cooking Steps

Step 1: Crisp Up the Bacon

Start by heating a large pot over medium heat.

Toss in the chopped bacon and cook until it turns golden brown and becomes wonderfully crispy.

Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon onto a paper towel-lined plate, letting the excess grease drip away.

Step 2: Sizzle the Sausage

Using the same pot with bacon drippings, add the sliced sausage.

Brown the sausage on both sides, carefully managing the heat to prevent burning.

Once perfectly browned, move the sausage to join the bacon on the plate.

Step 3: Brown the Beef Blend

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

Sauté the mixture until the beef loses its pink color and develops a rich, golden-brown appearance.

Step 4: Sprinkle in Flavor Boosters

• Flour
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Chili powder

Stir and cook for a minute to allow the spices to meld with the meat.

Step 5: Build the Stew Base

• Diced tomatoes
• Baked beans
• Green chilies
• Sweet corn
• Potatoes
• Cooked bacon
• Browned sausage
• Water

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

Cover and let the stew simmer gently for one hour, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 6: Fresh Finish

Just before serving, sprinkle chopped parsley over the top for a burst of fresh color and flavor.

Step 7: Perfect the Consistency

If the stew seems too thick, splash in some additional water to reach your desired texture.

Stir well and let it heat through before serving.

Pro Tips for Cowboy Stew Flavor

• Render bacon slowly to extract maximum smoky essence and ensure perfect crispiness without burning.
• Pat ground beef and sausage dry before cooking to achieve better browning and prevent steaming instead of searing.
• Toast flour and spices briefly to eliminate raw flour taste and enhance overall depth of flavor in the stew.
• Keep stew at a gentle simmer to tenderize meat and allow ingredients to meld without losing texture or becoming mushy.
• Add potatoes later in cooking process to prevent them from disintegrating and maintain a satisfying chunky consistency.

Cowboy Stew Recipe Twists

• Vegetarian Cowboy Stew: Replace ground beef and sausage with plant-based protein crumbles or chopped mushrooms for a hearty meat-free version.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use gluten-free flour or cornstarch instead of regular flour, and ensure all canned ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Low-Sodium Option: Select low-sodium canned beans and tomatoes, reduce or eliminate added salt, and use low-sodium bacon alternative.
• Spicy Southwest Spin: Increase chili powder, add diced jalapeños, and incorporate a splash of hot sauce for extra heat and bold flavor profile.

Serving Cowboy Stew Ideas

• Rustic Ranch Table Setting: Serve the stew in large, deep ceramic bowls with thick, crusty bread on the side for soaking up delicious juices.
• Hearty Protein Boost: Top each serving with shredded cheddar cheese, crispy bacon bits, and a dollop of sour cream for extra richness and flavor.
• Campfire Companion Sides: Pair with cornbread, buttermilk biscuits, or a simple green salad to balance the stew's robust and meaty profile.
• Weekend Game Night Feast: Perfect for casual gatherings, serve family-style in a large cast-iron pot and let everyone help themselves with big ladles.

Cowboy Stew Storage Tips

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Transfer cooled stew to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, seal completely, and freeze for up to 3 months.
• Place desired portion in a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small vent. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even warming.
• Pour stew into a pot, add a splash of water to prevent sticking. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until heated thoroughly, about 5-7 minutes.

FAQs

• What makes this cowboy stew different from other stews?

This stew combines multiple proteins like bacon, sausage, and ground beef, creating a rich, layered flavor profile that sets it apart from traditional one-meat stews.

• Is this recipe considered spicy?

The stew has a mild heat level from chili powder and green chilies, providing a subtle warmth without being overwhelmingly spicy. You can adjust the spice by increasing or decreasing the chili powder.

• Can I make this stew in a slow cooker?

Yes, you can adapt this recipe for a slow cooker. Brown the meats first, then transfer all ingredients to the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.

Hearty Cowboy Stew – The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe

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4.9 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Cowboy stew delivers classic western comfort with robust beef, tender vegetables, and rich seasonings. Rustic flavors blend seamlessly, inviting you to savor a satisfying meal that warms both body and soul.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meats:

• 1.5 pounds ground beef (80/20)
• 2 packages (12 ounces/340 grams) kielbasa sausage, cut into 1/2 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 1/2 inch cubes
• 1 can (14.5 ounces/411 grams) petite diced tomatoes, with liquid
• 1 can (7 ounces/198 grams) chopped green chilies, with liquid
• 1 can (15 ounces/425 grams) sweet corn, with liquid
• 2 cans (16 ounces/454 grams) baked beans or ranch beans, with liquid

Seasonings and Other Ingredients:

• 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

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Instructions

1. Render the bacon in a spacious Dutch oven over medium heat until golden and crisp, approximately 5-6 minutes. Transfer the crispy pieces onto a paper towel-lined surface using a perforated utensil.
2. Sear the sausage slices in the rendered bacon fat, browning evenly on both sides for 3-4 minutes. Remove and set aside with the bacon.
3. Introduce ground beef, diced onions, and minced garlic to the pot. Sauté until the meat browns completely and loses its raw appearance, breaking it into small crumbles.
4. Dust the meat mixture with flour, salt, black pepper, and chili powder. Stir continuously for 60 seconds to prevent burning and integrate the spices thoroughly.
5. Pour in diced tomatoes, baked beans, green chilies, sweet corn, and diced potatoes. Reintroduce the reserved bacon and sausage pieces.
6. Add water to the mixture, ensuring ingredients are submerged. Bring to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer for 55-65 minutes, stirring intermittently to prevent scorching.
7. Once potatoes are tender and stew reaches desired consistency, taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Sprinkle fresh parsley for vibrant garnish before serving hot.

Notes

• Bacon Brilliance: Render the bacon slowly to extract maximum flavor and achieve a perfect crispy texture without burning.
• Meat Medley: Choose high-quality sausage and lean ground beef for a rich, robust taste that elevates the stew’s overall profile.
• Potato Power: Cut potatoes into uniform chunks to ensure even cooking and prevent some pieces from becoming mushy while others remain undercooked.
• Spice Strategy: Toast spices briefly to intensify their flavors and create a more complex, depth-filled taste in the stew.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 1200 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg