Cowboy Stew Recipe

Introduction

Cowboy Stew is a hearty and flavorful one-pot meal that’s perfect for cozy dinners. Packed with savory sausage, ground beef, potatoes, and beans, this stew brings bold, comforting flavors to your table.

Ingredients

• 4 slices bacon, chopped
• 2 (12-ounce) packages kielbasa sausage, cut into 1/2 inch slices
• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef (80/20)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can petite diced tomatoes, with liquid
• 2 (16-ounce) cans baked beans or ranch beans, with liquid
• 1 (7-ounce) can chopped green chilies, with liquid
• 1 (15-ounce) can sweet corn, with liquid
• 2 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
• 1 cup water
• 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped

Instructions

1. Step 1: Cook bacon in a large pot over medium heat until brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to transfer bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to drain.
2. Step 2: Add sausage to the pot drippings and brown on both sides, adjusting the heat as needed to prevent burning the brown bits on the bottom. Remove sausage to the plate with the bacon and set aside.
3. Step 3: Add ground beef, onion, and garlic to the pot. Cook until the beef is no longer pink, breaking it up as it cooks. Sprinkle flour, salt, pepper, and chili powder over the beef mixture, stirring and cooking for about 1 minute.
4. Step 4: Stir in diced tomatoes, baked beans, green chilies, sweet corn, potatoes, cooked bacon, sausage, and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and cover. Let simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
5. Step 5: Check the stew’s thickness and add more water if it’s too thick. Remove from heat and garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or use hot chili powder.
• Swap ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a lighter stew.
• Try smoked sausage instead of kielbasa for a deeper smoky flavor.
• Add bell peppers or jalapeños for extra color and a kick.
• Use ranch beans for a more savory profile, or baked beans if you prefer a sweeter stew.

Storage

Store leftover cowboy stew in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm gently on the stove over medium heat, stirring occasionally, or microwave in short bursts until heated through. The flavors often improve the next day.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I freeze cowboy stew?

Yes, cowboy stew freezes well. Cool it completely before transferring to a freezer-safe container. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat thoroughly before serving.

Is this stew very spicy?

The recipe has a mild chili flavor that’s not overly spicy. You can adjust the heat level by adding more chili powder or including some cayenne pepper if you like a spicier dish.

Cowboy Stew Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 127 reviews

This hearty Cowboy Stew is a flavorful and filling one-pot meal combining crispy bacon, kielbasa sausage, ground beef, vegetables, and a robust blend of seasonings. Perfect for a comforting dinner, this stew simmers to tender perfection with a mix of baked beans, diced tomatoes, green chilies, corn, and potatoes, all enhanced by a touch of chili powder and fresh parsley garnish.

• Author: Amaya
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 to 8 servings 1x
• Category: Stew
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meats

• 4 slices bacon, chopped
• 2 (12-ounce) packages kielbasa sausage, cut into 1/2 inch slices
• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef (80/20)

Vegetables & Canned Goods

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

Seasonings & Others

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

Instructions

1. Cook the bacon: In a large pot, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until browned and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon onto a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess fat.
2. Brown the kielbasa sausage: Add the kielbasa slices to the bacon drippings in the pot and brown them on both sides. Adjust the heat as needed to avoid burning the fond (brown bits that develop at the bottom). Once browned, remove the sausage to the plate with the bacon and set aside.
3. Brown the beef and sauté aromatics: Add the ground beef, diced onion, and minced garlic to the pot and cook until the beef loses its pink color. Sprinkle the flour, salt, black pepper, and chili powder over the mixture. Stir and let cook for about 1 minute to incorporate the flour and seasonings.
4. Add liquids and remaining ingredients: Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juice, baked beans with liquid, chopped green chilies with liquid, sweet corn with liquid, cubed potatoes, cooked bacon, browned sausage, and 1 cup of water into the pot. Stir to combine.
5. Simmer the stew: Bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, immediately reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 1 hour. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and to distribute flavors evenly.
6. Garnish and adjust consistency: After simmering, garnish the stew with freshly chopped parsley. If the stew is too thick, add additional water to reach your desired consistency and stir well before serving.

Notes

• Adjust the type of beans based on preference: baked beans for a sweeter stew or ranch beans for a more savory flavor.
• Make sure not to burn the brown bits (fond) when browning the kielbasa; they add flavor but can turn bitter if burnt.
• If you want a thicker stew, you can reduce the amount of added water or simmer uncovered for extra time.
• Serve with crusty bread or over rice for a more filling meal.
• This stew can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Keywords: cowboy stew, kielbasa, ground beef stew, hearty stew, bacon stew, one pot meal, comfort food