Easy Cowboy Stew Recipe

Calling all cowboys and cowgirls, this easy cowboy stew recipe is pure comfort food, especially when the weather is chilly. If you’re feeling cold to the bone like I am, a big pot of this family-friendly beef stew recipe is just the ticket.  Actually, there’s not just ground beef in this cowboy stew. There’s also bacon, sausage, beans, Rotel, potatoes, and corn, all simmered in a super flavorful broth thanks to a combination of chili powder, smoked paprika, and cumin. Between the animal proteins, beans, and potatoes this stew is very hearty, filling, and will warm you up from the inside out. Whether you want to make it as an easy weeknight dinner or throw a pot on over the weekend, everyone asks for seconds.

If you’re hosting any kind of game day, tailgating, or sports-fan party, I know this beef, bacon, and sausage cowboy stew will be a hit. I am not exactly sure how cowboy stew got its name. If you research it, many say that it originated in Texas as Texas cowboy stew. And since people tend to associate Texas with plenty of meat, I think the name stuck since this stew sure has plenty of meat. But all that protein helps keep you full and satisfied for hours! For anyone wondering if you can make this in a Crock-Pot, keep reading because yes, you can. Tip: If you have anyone who loves pork and bacon, and all things hearty, my Triple Pork Black Bean Chili is just for you! 

Ingredients in Cowboy Stew

To make this easy recipe for cowboy stew that’s brimming with flavor thanks to the triple proteins (and four if you count the beans), you’ll need to grab some common and easy-to-find fridge and pantry ingredients including the following:

Lean ground beef Bacon Cooked Polish sausage or kielbasa sausage Yellow or white onion Garlic Yukon gold or red potatoes Canned pinto beans (or your favorite)  Canned sweet corn or whole-kernel corn  Rotel Reduced sodium beef broth Chili powder Smoked paprika Cumin Salt Pepper Cayenne pepper, optional and to taste Fresh cilantro, for garnishing

Note: Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts included and for more complete directions.

How to Make Cowboy Stew

Making cowboy stew is a cinch and you’ll have it ready in no time by following my easy and straightforward directions: Step 1: In a large Dutch oven or stockpot, bown the hamburger, remove it with a slotted spoon, set it aside, and drain the grease. Step 2: Cook the bacon and when crisp, remove it, but don’t drain the grease. You want to save these bacon drippings for all the great flavor they add. Step 3: Use the bacon grease to brown the sausage, onions, and garlic.

Step 4: Add the hamburger and bacon back in, along with all the remaining ingredients, and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender. Step 5: Garnish with cilantro and serve! 

Can I Make Cowboy Stew in a Crock-Pot?

Yes you sure can make cowboy stew in a slow cooker. I personally like to do it on the stove because it’s quicker, and for me, that’s always a bonus. However, if you like to have something simmering for hours, this cowboy stew recipe will work nicely in your Crockpot. Make cowboy stew in a slow cooker by doing the following:

What Kind of Beef, Sausage, and Bacon Are Best for Cowboy Stew?

In this three protein recipe, it’s important to select the proper protein for the job!

Ground beef – I use lean ground beef in the 90% range. If you go too fatty, of course there’s just simply lots of excess grease. However, too lean isn’t great either because fat add flavor that extra lean or ultra lean ground beef just doesn’t have. The sweet spot for me is about 90% lean. Bacon – You can use whatever your favorite bacon is, from thick-cut to smoked and everything in between. Dice it into bite-sized pieces before cooking it to hasten the cooking time. Sausage – Select pre-cooked sausage, many times sold in a U-shaped “ring” or package, many times labeled Polish sausage or kielbasa. You can use beef, pork, or turkey sausage.

Tip: I don’t like sausage links in casings as much for this because not only do you have to deal with the casings, but if you take them off, you essentially wind up with ground sausage very similar to the ground beef above. Whereas if you use cooked sausage, you can slice it before you brown it, and it retains its texture so that you have three distinct textures with the proteins. 

Is Texas Cowboy Stew Spicy?

In my opinion this cowboy stew is not spicy, as I wrote the recipe. There are only a couple elements that could potentially add any spiciness to the dish:

Chili powder – Most chili powder is not spicy enough unless you use tablespoons of it to really give a strong kick to soups, stews, or chilis. If you want your stew a little spicier, add much more than I call for, at least 2 to 3 tablespoons (not teaspoons of chili powder) because most doesn’t have as much kick as people think. Cayenne pepper – This is an optional ingredient, and I use a small pinch to just add a tiny bit of pizazz to my cowboy stew. I wouldn’t even call it “spicy” but you can add more, or none at all, depending on your goals. Rotel – It’s a mixture of diced tomatoes and green chiles. I use Original Rotel but you can also use the mild or spicy versions based on your preferences.

What to Serve with Cowboy Stew

We all have that one person in our family or in our circle who thinks that “soup is not a meal”. Well this soup, or stew technically, is definitely a meal, and very filling!  Therefore, I don’t think you need to serve it with much more. However, a couple of my favorite serving suggestions for cowboy soup include:

Cast Iron Skillet Cornbread – Moist, fluffy, golden brown buttermilk cornbread prepared in a cast iron skillet for a crispy edge. Easy, ready in 30 minutes, and foolproof. Honey Cornbread Muffins — Between the sour cream, oil, and butter in the batter, it’s impossible to wind up with dry honey cornbread muffins!  Sweet Potato Cornbread — Homemade cornbread just got better because it’s jazzed up with mashed sweet potatoes, brown sugar, and pumpkin pie spice! Thanks to the natural moisture from sweet potatoes and the addition of buttermilk, it’s so moist and flavorful! Parker House Rolls – Not a cornbread fan? These are the BEST homemade dinner rolls because they’re so light, airy, fluffy and practically melt in your mouth! They have a wonderful buttery flavor that will make them an instant family favorite.

How to Store Leftover Stew

Most soups and stews keep very well, especially when there are no noodles to silently soak up all the broth as they sit, and so your easy cowboy stew will keep well. Airtight in the fridge, it’ll keep for up to 5 days and in the freezer for up to 4 months. Tip: Store it in smaller-to mid-sized airtight containers, especially if freezing it, for easier thawing and faster reheating. 

Tips for the Best Cowboy Stew

Beef, Bacon, and Sausage – I’ve already mentioned what specific proteins I recommend above, so read that section if you skimmed over it. Lean (but not too lean) ground beef, your favorite bacon, and precooked sausage is the way to go.  Potatoes – I suggest a waxier potato like Yukon golds or red potatoes. Starchier potatoes like Russets or baking potatoes will disintegrate and not hold their shape and don’t recommend them. Make sure to cut the potatoes into 1-inch pieces so that they cook through during the allocated amount of simmering time. It’s only the potatoes that need to get “done” and the bigger they are, the longer this stew will take. Beans – I use pinto beans (drained and rinsed) but you can use another type of beans including Great Northern, cannellini beans, garbanzo beans, or black beans.

Rotel – If you’re not familiar, this is a can of diced tomatoes and green chiles. The Original Rotel isn’t very spicy but you can use the mild, spicy, or favorite type or Rotel or similar canned tomato and chile product. Do not drain it and remember, you’ll need two cans. Chili Powder, Smoked Paprika, Cumin, and Cayenne (optional) – I use more than the listed amounts in the recipe, about double actually. However, I like really intense flavors and so does my family. Tip: Don’t confuse bold and intense with overt “spiciness”, because they’re different. To achieve a nice bold flavor profile I think you will love, I encourage you to use a heavy hand with the seasonings and spices, but of course it’s up to you.

Getting the Flavor Just Right – If your stew tastes at all flat, dull, or like it’s missing something, first make sure it doesn’t need salt. Salt is what makes restaurant soup taste so darn good and it’s what home cooks tend to neglect thinking “it doesn’t need that much”. Well, it may so don’t be shy if it does. Secondly, I also add more cumin and chili powder as I mentioned so if you feel like that would help it out, do so. Finally, don’t skip the cilantro. It really brightens up the whole stew recipe and I deem it essential! If you have a cilantro hater or someone who’s allergic, a dash of lime juice can also work to brighten up the flavor profile. An acid is always a nice finishing touch for soups.  Too Thick or Thin? – If your stew is more like a soup and you want it thicker, simply allow it to simmer uncovered for awhile longer. And if it’s just too thick, add more beef broth as desired to achieve the consistency you want.   Tried this recipe? Leave a review! Consider leaving a 5 star rating if you’ve made and loved one of my recipes!

More Easy Beef Recipes:

Beef Stew and Dumplings – Beef roast, potatoes, carrots, and more are simmered to tender PERFECTION in a rich and savory broth for the best beef stew that’s easy to make! Cheesy dumplings on top are the final comfort food touch making this a classic family favorite recipe especially when the weather is chilly!  Easy Slow Cooker Beef Stew — Comfort food at its finest with thick and tender chunks of beef, buttery soft potatoes, and mixed vegetables. The broth is rich, deep, and exquisite thanks to a mixture of beef broth, red wine, and a mixture of herbs and spices. IMPRESS your family and friends with this CLASSIC beef stew recipe! 

Slow Cooker Beef Chili — Easy, hearty comfort food that’s packed with flavor that develops beautifully as the beef chili simmers away in your slow cooker!

Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Soup – A decadent dish that’s like eating a loaded cheeseburger, but in soup form! Ground beef, bacon, cheese, and an array of vegetables give fantastic depth of flavor. SO EASY because your slow cooker does ALL the work! A guaranteed family favorite especially when it’s chilly.

Slow Cooker Stuffed Pepper Soup — This stuffed pepper soup is packed with bell peppers, onion, and ground beef and is simmered in a tomatoey broth. Serve with rice for an easy weeknight meal!

Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage Soup – Hearty comfort food complete with savory corned beef, potatoes, carrots, celery, and more! It’s the EASIEST soup you’ll ever make and will become a family FAVORITE especially when the weather is chilly! Stovetop cooking instructions also provided.

30-Minute One-Pot Beef and Bowtie Soup – EASY, hearty, comfort food that’s full of flavor!! A FAST and tasty soup the whole family will LOVE! It will keep your warm on chilly winter nights!!

Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff – A comfort food classic that everyone in the family LOVES! Hearty chunks of beef, rich and flavorful beef gravy, and served over a bed of warm noodles to soak up all that goodness! The EASIEST recipe for beef stroganoff ever because your Crock-Pot truly does all the work! Set it and forget it! 

Slow Cooker Mississippi Pot Roast — A foolproof recipe for tender, juicy pot roast with just FIVE main ingredients! Your slow cooker does all the work in this comfort food classic pot roast that the whole family will adore! EASIER than any pot roast you will ever make and with more robust flavor! 

Instant Pot Beef Tips — Tender, juicy beef tips smothered in loads of savory mushroom gravy! So much hearty flavor and just PERFECT for piling over mashed potatoes or noodles! An EASY family-favorite comfort food recipe made entirely in your Instant Pot in about 30 minutes! 

 

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