Easy Cowboy Stew Recipe: A Hearty Meal From The Wild West

Hearty meals never fail to warm the soul, and this cowboy stew recipe brings rustic comfort straight to your dinner table.

Chuck wagon cooks would marvel at the rich, robust flavors simmering in this classic dish.

Traditional ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a one-pot wonder that speaks to generations of home cooking.

Tender beef chunks swim alongside chunky vegetables in a deeply seasoned broth that promises pure satisfaction.

Each spoonful tells a story of western culinary traditions and home-style cooking.

Ranch hands and city dwellers alike will find comfort in this satisfying, no-fuss meal that comes together with minimal effort.

Grab a bowl and savor the authentic taste of a true American classic.

What Makes Cowboy Stew So Comforting

• Cowboy Stew delivers a hearty, satisfying dish that comes together with minimal kitchen skills, perfect for home cooks of all levels.
• This recipe requires only a single pot, reducing cleanup time and making it an incredibly convenient meal for busy families or weeknight dinners.
• Layering multiple proteins like bacon, sausage, and ground beef creates a rich, robust taste profile that feels like a classic campfire-style meal with deep, complex flavors.
• Easily adaptable for different preferences by adjusting spice levels or swapping ingredients, making it a flexible recipe that can suit various taste buds and dietary needs.

Key Ingredients for Cowboy Stew

• Bacon: Adds a smoky and rich flavor base to the stew.
• Ground Beef: Provides hearty protein and depth to the dish.
• Kielbasa Sausage: Contributes a robust and spicy meat element.

• Onion: Offers a sweet and savory foundation for the stew.
• Garlic: Enhances the overall flavor profile with its pungent taste.
• Green Chilies: Adds a mild heat and bright pepper flavor.
• Corn: Provides sweetness and textural contrast.
• Potatoes: Creates a hearty and filling base for the stew.

• Flour: Helps thicken the stew and create a rich texture.
• Salt, Pepper, Chili Powder: Blend of seasonings for balanced and complex flavor.

• Diced Tomatoes: Adds moisture and tangy tomato base.
• Baked Beans: Contributes sweetness and additional protein.
• Water: Helps create the stew's desired consistency.

• Fresh Parsley: Provides a bright, fresh finish to the dish.

How to Make Hearty Cowboy Stew

Step 1: Sizzle the Bacon

Grab a large pot and heat it up.

Drop in bacon slices and fry them until they turn crispy and golden brown.

Use a slotted spoon to lift out the bacon, keeping all those delicious drippings in the pot.

The kitchen will fill with an amazing aroma that’ll make everyone’s mouth water.

• Bacon slices

Step 2: Caramelize the Sausage

Slide the kielbasa into the same pot with bacon drippings.

Brown the sausage on both sides until it develops a beautiful caramel-like color.

Remove and set aside with the bacon.

• Kielbasa sausage

Step 3: Build the Flavor Base

Toss ground beef, onions, and garlic into the pot.

Cook until the beef turns completely brown and onions become soft and translucent.

Sprinkle flour, salt, pepper, and chili powder over the mixture.

Stir everything together and let it cook for another minute to develop deep flavors.

• Ground beef
• Onions
• Garlic
• Flour
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Chili powder

Step 4: Create the Stew Magic

Pour in diced tomatoes, baked beans, green chilies, corn, and potatoes.

Add back the reserved bacon and sausage.

Pour water into the pot and bring everything to a rolling boil.

Immediately reduce heat to a gentle simmer.

Cover the pot and let it bubble away for about an hour, stirring occasionally.

The stew is ready when potatoes become tender and the liquid thickens.

• Diced tomatoes
• Baked beans
• Green chilies
• Corn
• Potatoes
• Water
• Cooked bacon
• Cooked sausage

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the top for a burst of color and fresh flavor.

If the stew looks too thick, splash in a bit more water to reach your perfect consistency.

Ladle into big bowls and enjoy the ultimate cowboy comfort meal.

Smart Tips for a Better Cowboy Stew

• Save those crispy bacon bits to sprinkle on top just before serving for an extra crunch and intense smoky taste.
• Select high-quality ground beef with a slightly higher fat content (80/20 ratio) to ensure the stew remains rich and juicy throughout cooking.
• Cut potatoes into uniform, medium-sized chunks to guarantee even cooking and prevent them from falling apart during the long simmering process.
• Adjust chili powder gradually, tasting as you go to control heat level without overwhelming the other complex flavors in the stew.
• Let the stew rest for 10-15 minutes after cooking to allow flavors to meld and develop a more robust, cohesive consistency.

Best Way to Store and Reheat Cowboy Stew

• Store the cooled Cowboy Stew in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, ensuring the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Transfer the completely cooled stew to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, seal properly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Label the container with the date for easy tracking.
• Place a single serving in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap with a small vent. Heat on medium power in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval until the stew reaches 165°F internal temperature.
• Pour the stew into a pot, add a splash of water or broth to prevent sticking. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. This method helps restore the original texture and prevents burning.

What to Serve with Cowboy Stew

• Sip and Savor Cowboy Stew Companions
• Boost Rustic Red Wine Pairing: Robust Zinfandel or Cabernet Sauvignon complements the hearty meat flavors, cutting through the rich stew with bold fruitiness and balanced tannins.
• Create Comfort Beer Match: Amber ale or dark lager offers malty sweetness that perfectly harmonizes with the smoky bacon and spicy undertones of the cowboy stew.
• Craft Cooling Side Salad: Fresh mixed greens with tangy vinaigrette provides a crisp, light counterpoint to the heavy, meaty stew, refreshing the palate between bites.
• Elevate Bread Companion: Warm cornbread or crusty sourdough serves as an ideal dipping tool, soaking up the delicious stew juices and adding textural contrast.

Tasty Twists on Cowboy Stew

• Vegetarian Cowboy Stew: Replace bacon and ground beef with plant-based protein like tempeh or seitan, using vegetable broth and extra mushrooms for depth of flavor.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap regular flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend, use gluten-free beans and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Low-Sodium Version: Select low-sodium beans, eliminate added salt, use sodium-free spices, and replace kielbasa with lean turkey sausage to reduce overall salt content.
• Keto-Friendly Option: Substitute potatoes with cauliflower chunks, remove beans, increase meat quantity, add extra vegetables like zucchini and bell peppers, and use low-carb thickening agents.

FAQs

• Why is bacon used in the Cowboy Stew?

Bacon adds a rich, smoky flavor and provides delicious crispy bits that enhance the overall taste of the stew. The bacon drippings also help to create a flavorful base for cooking the other ingredients.

• Can I substitute the kielbasa sausage?

Yes, you can use other types of sausage like andouille, chorizo, or smoked sausage. Each will bring a slightly different flavor profile to the stew, but will still maintain the hearty cowboy-style essence.

• Is this stew spicy?

The stew has a mild to moderate spice level due to the chili powder and green chilies. If you prefer more heat, you can add extra chili powder or include some hot sauce. For a milder version, reduce or omit the chili powder.

The combination of robust ingredients like bacon, sausage, ground beef, and hearty vegetables reflects the traditional cowboy-style cooking – a one-pot meal that’s filling, flavorful, and easy to prepare over a campfire or stove.

Cowboy Stew Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Hearty cowboy stew delivers rustic southwestern comfort with rich beef, tender vegetables, and smoky spices simmering in a robust broth. Bold flavors and easy preparation make this classic one-pot meal perfect for satisfying hungry cowboys and home cooks alike.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Protein:

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

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes

Canned and Liquid Ingredients:

• 1 (14.5-ounce) can petite diced tomatoes, with liquid
• 2 (16-ounce) cans baked beans, with liquid
• 1 (7-ounce) can chopped green chilies, with liquid
• 1 (15-ounce) can sweet corn, with liquid
• 1 cup water

Seasonings and Herbs:

• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Render bacon in a large pot over medium heat until crisp and golden, creating a flavorful base. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon, reserving the rich drippings.
2. Sear kielbasa sausage in the same pot until caramelized on both sides, approximately 2-3 minutes. Transfer to a separate plate alongside the bacon.
3. Sauté ground beef with onions and garlic in the pot, breaking meat into crumbles until beef browns and onions soften. Incorporate flour, salt, pepper, and chili powder, stirring for an additional minute to develop robust flavors.
4. Pour in diced tomatoes, baked beans, green chilies, corn, and potatoes. Reintroduce bacon and sausage to the mixture. Add water and bring to a robust boil, then reduce heat to low.
5. Simmer covered for 50-60 minutes, stirring intermittently, until potatoes become tender and stew thickens to a hearty consistency. Adjust liquid if needed.
6. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley just before serving, adding a vibrant touch and herbaceous note to the rustic cowboy stew.

Notes

• Swap meats effortlessly by using turkey bacon or plant-based alternatives for a lighter version of the stew.
• Control spice levels by adjusting chili powder or adding fresh jalapeños for those who enjoy extra heat.
• Enhance nutrition by incorporating additional vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini during the cooking process.
• Prepare a make-ahead friendly meal by storing in airtight containers for up to 4 days, allowing flavors to develop and intensify.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 960 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 7 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg