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Cowboy Stew Recipe

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★★★★★

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Find it online: https://amayaharis.com/cowboy-stew-recipe/