Hearty and Flavorful Cowboy Stew Recipe
Bring warmth and comfort to your dinner table with this enticing cowboy stew recipe. A delightful medley of meats, vegetables, and flavorful broth, this stew will become your go-to dish for when you need some hearty comfort food.
If you are looking for a hearty and warm soup to start your day, you might try Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup or Spicy Korean Chicken Soup.
When the weather turns chilly and you’re craving a hearty, satisfying meal, Cowboy Stew is the perfect dish to warm you up. This recipe is a true crowd-pleaser, combining the rich flavors of bacon, ground beef, smoked sausage, and a medley of vegetables and seasonings.
Whether you’re serving it up for a cozy family dinner or a gathering of friends, Cowboy Stew is sure to become a favorite in your repertoire.
In this blog post, we’ll be discussing why you love this recipe, how to make it, different variations you can try, and more. Stick around if you’re looking for a new family favorite to add to your recipe collection.
Cowboy Stew
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Full of Flavor: Cowboy Stew is a flavor-packed dish that combines the smokiness of bacon, the savory goodness of ground beef, and the richness of smoked sausage. The addition of spices like chili powder, cumin, and paprika elevates the taste to a whole new level.
- Easy to Make: While Cowboy Stew may sound like a complex, time-consuming dish, it’s actually quite simple to prepare. With just a few easy-to-follow steps, you can have a pot of delicious stew ready in no time.
Now, let’s dive into how to make this hearty Cowboy Stew, reworked for simplicity without specific measurements and cooking times.
How to Make Cowboy Stew
Ready to bring a taste of the Wild West into your kitchen? Making this delectable Cowboy Stew each spoonful brings a mouthful of robust and rustic flavors that perfectly encapsulate the essence of cowboy cuisine.
Ingredients:
- Bacon, chopped
- Ground beef
- Smoked sausage, sliced into ½ inch pieces
- Yellow onion, chopped
- Carrots, peeled and chopped
- Minced garlic
- Chili powder
- Ground cumin
- Paprika
- Diced tomatoes
- Pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- Black beans, drained and rinsed
- Sweet corn, drained
- Beef broth
- Russet potatoes, peeled and diced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Directions:
- Start by chopping the bacon into half-inch pieces and adding them to a Dutch oven. Cook over medium heat until the bacon is crispy. Once done, remove it from the pot and drain the grease.
- While the bacon is cooking, chop the onion, carrots, potatoes, and smoked sausage.
- Add the ground beef to the pot and begin browning it, breaking it up as it cooks. When the ground beef is halfway cooked, add the smoked sausage, onions, and carrots. Continue cooking until the beef is browned, and the onions are soft.
- Stir in the minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, and paprika, letting the spices toast for a minute to release their flavors.
- Add the diced tomatoes, pinto beans, black beans, sweet corn, potatoes, and beef broth to the pot. Don’t forget to add the crispy bacon back in.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then stir and reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer for about 40 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
- Season your Cowboy Stew with salt and pepper to taste. If you want to add a touch of freshness and color, garnish with chopped fresh parsley.
Variations to Spice Things Up
While this Cowboy Stew recipe is already bursting with flavor, you can always get creative and make it your own. Here are some variations to consider:
- Spicy Kick: If you love heat, add some diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to give your stew a spicy twist.
- Vegetarian Version: Skip the meat and create a vegetarian Cowboy Stew by using plant-based alternatives like veggie sausage and meatless ground beef. You can also load it up with extra vegetables for added texture and flavor.
- Cheesy Goodness: Sprinkle some shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese on top of each serving for a gooey, cheesy indulgence.
Can Cowboy Stew Be Stored or Made Ahead?
Absolutely! Cowboy Stew is one of those dishes that often tastes even better the next day as the flavors have had time to meld together. You can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Just reheat it on the stove or in the microwave when you’re ready to enjoy it again.
You can also make Cowboy Stew ahead of time for convenience. Prepare the stew, let it cool, and then store it in the refrigerator for up to a day before reheating it for serving. It’s a great option for meal prep or when you want to have a satisfying meal ready in a pinch.
Cowboy Stew
Equipment
- Measuring cup, spoons, knife, cutting board, spatula, spoon, and dutch oven.
Ingredients
- 4 slices bacon chopped
- 1 lb beef ground
- 14 oz smoked sausage sliced into ½ inch pieces
- 1 medium yellow onion chopped
- 2 carrots peeled and chopped
- 1 tablespoon garlic minced
- 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin ground
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 14 oz can tomatoes diced
- 1 15 oz can pinto beans drained and rinsed
- 1 15 oz can black beans drained and rinsed
- 1 15 oz can sweet corn drained
- 3 cups beef broth
- 3 medium russet potatoes peeled and diced
- salt and pepper to taste
- chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Chop the bacon into half inch pieces, and add to a dutch oven. Cook over medium heat until done.
- While the bacon is cooking, chop the onion, carrots, potatoes, and smoked sausage.
- Once the bacon is done cooking, remove it from the pot, and drain the grease.
- Add the ground beef and start to brown it, breaking it up as it cooks. Once the ground beef is halfway cooked, add the smoked sausage, onions, and carrots. Continue cooking until the beef is browned and the onions are soft.
- Stir in the garlic, chili powder, cumin, and paprika.
- Add the diced tomatoes, pinto beans, black beans, corn, potatoes, and beef broth. Add the bacon back in as well.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, stir, and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for about 40 minutes, until the potatoes are tender.
- Add salt and pepper to taste, then serve, and sprinkle with fresh parsley if desired.
Common Questions about Cowboy Stew
1. Can I use different types of beans in Cowboy Stew? Absolutely! Feel free to swap out the pinto and black beans with your favorites. Kidney beans, navy beans, or even cannellini beans work well in this recipe.
2. Is it possible to freeze Cowboy Stew? Yes, you can freeze Cowboy Stew. Just make sure to let it cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container or freezer-friendly bag. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat it on the stove.
3. Can I make Cowboy Stew in a slow cooker? Absolutely! To make Cowboy Stew in a slow cooker, follow the same initial steps of cooking the bacon and browning the meat and vegetables in a skillet. Then, transfer everything to your slow cooker, add the remaining ingredients, and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the potatoes are tender.
This Cowboy Stew recipe is a versatile and hearty dish that’s perfect for satisfying your comfort food cravings. Whether you stick to the classic recipe or put your own spin on it, you’re in for a delicious meal that will warm your heart and belly on those chilly days.
So, grab your Dutch oven and give this Cowboy Stew recipe a try—you won’t be disappointed!
Recipes to pair with this Cowboy Stew:
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