If you’re craving a hearty, stick-to-your-ribs meal that brings together smoky, savory, and slightly sweet flavors all in one pot, then this Cowboy Stew Recipe is exactly what you need. It’s a warming and robust stew filled with bacon, kielbasa, ground beef, and a medley of beans and vegetables that create a symphony of textures and tastes. Perfect for sharing around the dinner table or cozying up after a long day, this Cowboy Stew Recipe is a crowd-pleaser that’s as satisfying as it is easy to make.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Cowboy Stew Recipe lies in its simple yet incredibly flavorful ingredients. Each one plays a vital role—from the smoky crunch of bacon to the hearty bite of potatoes—building layers of rich texture and bold flavors that meld beautifully as it simmers.
- Bacon (4 slices, chopped): Adds deep smokiness and crisp texture that flavors the entire stew.
- Kielbasa Sausage (2 packages, sliced): Provides a savory, slightly spicy bite true to cowboy cuisine.
- Ground Beef (1 1/2 pounds, 80/20): The foundation of hearty meatiness that holds everything together.
- Onion (1 medium, diced): Brings a subtle sweetness and fragrant base to the stew.
- Garlic (3 cloves, minced): Adds a punch of bold, aromatic flavor.
- All-Purpose Flour (3 tablespoons): Helps thicken the stew for a satisfying consistency.
- Salt (1 1/2 teaspoons): Enhances all the natural flavors in your stew.
- Black Pepper (1/2 teaspoon): Adds a mild heat that balances the richness.
- Chili Powder (1 teaspoon): Infuses a warm, smoky kick customary in cowboy cooking.
- Petite Diced Tomatoes (1 can, 14.5 ounces, with liquid): Provides a tangy freshness and vibrant color.
- Baked Beans or Ranch Beans (2 cans, 16 ounces each, with liquid): Introduces a sweet and creamy element that blends beautifully.
- Chopped Green Chilies (1 can, 7 ounces, with liquid): Delivers a mild heat and authentic southwestern flavor.
- Sweet Corn (1 can, 15 ounces, with liquid): Adds bursts of natural sweetness and texture contrast.
- Russet Potatoes (2 medium, peeled and cubed): Soaks up flavors and adds hearty substance to every spoonful.
- Water (1 cup): Essential to create the perfect stew broth and melding all ingredients.
- Parsley (2 tablespoons, chopped): A fresh, bright garnish to finish your Cowboy Stew Recipe beautifully.
How to Make Cowboy Stew Recipe
Step 1: Cook the Bacon
Start by cooking the chopped bacon in a large pot over medium heat until it is browned and crispy. This step not only gives you crispy goodness to stir back in later, but the rendered bacon fat will be the flavorful base for your stew, infusing every bite with smoky richness. Once cooked, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain the excess grease.
Step 2: Brown the Kielbasa Sausage
Next, add the sliced kielbasa to the bacon drippings and brown it thoroughly on both sides. Browning the sausage releases its smoky, savory oils, deepening the flavor foundation of your stew. Once browned, remove the sausage and set it aside—you’ll return it to the pot shortly.
Step 3: Cook the Ground Beef, Onion, and Garlic
In the same pot, add the ground beef, diced onion, and minced garlic. Cook until the beef is browned and the onion is softened, stirring to break up the meat evenly. This is where the heartiness of the stew really begins to develop as the garlic and onion become tender and aromatic, readying the base for the rest of your ingredients.
Step 4: Season and Thicken
Sprinkle the all-purpose flour, salt, black pepper, and chili powder over the cooked beef mixture. Cook everything together for about a minute to let the flour’s raw taste cook off while allowing the spices to bloom into the meat. This step helps thicken the stew and builds that signature cowboy flavor profile you’ll love.
Step 5: Add the Remaining Ingredients
Now it’s time to bring everything together. Add the petite diced tomatoes with their juice, both cans of beans with their liquid, chopped green chilies, sweet corn with liquid, cubed potatoes, cooked bacon, browned kielbasa, and one cup of water. Stir everything gently to combine.
Step 6: Simmer Your Cowboy Stew Recipe
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and cover the pot to simmer for one hour. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure the flavors meld together beautifully. The slow simmer softens the potatoes and lets every ingredient soak up those rich cowboy flavors, creating a stew that’s both comforting and deeply satisfying.
Step 7: Final Touches
Before serving, taste your Cowboy Stew Recipe and add a bit more water if you’d like it thinner or adjust seasoning as needed. Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley to add a bright, fresh contrast to the savory stew and serve warm.
How to Serve Cowboy Stew Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh parsley isn’t just for looks; it adds a lovely herbaceous note that cuts through the richness of the stew. You could also add shredded cheddar cheese or a dollop of sour cream to bring a creamy, tangy component that plays beautifully with the smoky sausage and beans.
Side Dishes
This Cowboy Stew Recipe is quite hearty on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with crusty bread or cornbread to soak up every flavorful drop. A simple green salad on the side can also provide a fresh, crisp balance to the stew’s robust richness.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the stew in hollowed-out bread bowls to impress your guests. Alternatively, top individual bowls with crispy fried onions or jalapeño slices if you want to boost the heat and texture contrast. Presentation can turn this rustic dish into a restaurant-worthy centerpiece.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Cowboy Stew Recipe makes excellent leftovers and actually tastes better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld. Store any leftover stew in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
Freezing
This stew freezes beautifully. Portion it into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving space for expansion. It will keep well for up to three months, making it a perfect make-ahead comfort meal for busy days.
Reheating
To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator if frozen, then warm gently on the stove over medium heat, stirring occasionally. You may want to add a splash of water or broth to bring back the perfect stew-like consistency. Reheated stew retains all its delicious flavors and texture, ready to enjoy once again.
FAQs
Can I make this Cowboy Stew Recipe in a slow cooker?
Absolutely! After browning the bacon, sausage, and beef, transfer everything to a slow cooker with the remaining ingredients. Cook on low for 6-8 hours for a tender, flavorful stew perfect for hands-off cooking.
What can I substitute if I don’t have kielbasa sausage?
If kielbasa isn’t available, smoked sausage, Andouille, or even chorizo will work well to provide that smoky, slightly spicy flavor that defines the Cowboy Stew Recipe.
Is this stew spicy?
This recipe has a mild to moderate level of heat thanks to the chili powder and green chilies, but you can easily adjust the spice by adding more chili powder or jalapeños for a bolder kick.
Can I use fresh beans instead of canned?
Fresh beans can be used but will require pre-cooking until tender before adding to the stew. Using canned beans simplifies the process while still delivering great flavor and texture.
What’s the best way to peel potatoes quickly?
The easiest method is to use a vegetable peeler designed for potatoes or simply boil the potatoes for a few minutes, then ice bath them—the skins will slip right off with little effort!
Final Thoughts
This Cowboy Stew Recipe is a true classic that brings bold flavors and comforting textures to the table with every spoonful. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or looking for an easy, satisfying dinner to share with friends, this stew will quickly become one of your favorites. Give it a try and get ready to experience a hearty, tasty meal that feels like a warm embrace on a chilly evening.
Print
Cowboy Stew Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Stew
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This hearty Cowboy Stew combines crispy bacon, kielbasa sausage, ground beef, and a medley of vegetables and beans, simmered to perfection for a filling and flavorful meal. With tender potatoes and a blend of spices, this rustic stew offers a comforting bowl ideal for feeding a crowd or enjoying as a satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
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 & Beans
- 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
Spices & 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 chopped parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook Bacon: In a large pot, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until it is brown and crispy. Remove the bacon and set it aside on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease.
- Brown Sausage: Using the bacon drippings remaining in the pot, brown the kielbasa sausage slices on both sides until they develop a nice color. Remove the sausage and set aside with the bacon.
- Cook Beef and Vegetables: In the same pot, add the ground beef along with diced onion and minced garlic. Cook until the beef is browned and the onion is softened. Sprinkle the flour, salt, black pepper, and chili powder over the beef mixture and cook for about 1 minute to incorporate the spices and thicken the base.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Add the petite diced tomatoes (with liquid), baked beans (with liquid), chopped green chilies, sweet corn (with liquid), cubed potatoes, reserved bacon, and kielbasa sausage back to the pot. Pour in 1 cup of water.
- Simmer Stew: Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover the pot. Let it simmer gently for 1 hour, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. Add additional water if needed to reach your desired stew consistency.
- Garnish and Serve: Once the potatoes are tender and flavors melded, garnish the stew with freshly chopped parsley before serving hot.
Notes
- You can substitute the baked beans with vegetarian beans to make the stew meatier but less pork-heavy.
- Adjust the chili powder to your desired heat preference, or add a pinch of cayenne pepper for extra spice.
- For a thicker stew, reduce the water slightly or cook uncovered for the last 15 minutes to evaporate excess liquid.
- This stew stores well and tastes even better the next day after the flavors have melded.
- Serve with crusty bread or cornbread for a complete meal.
