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Texas Cowboy Stew Recipe

This hearty and satisfying Cowboy Stew is perfectly spiced and loaded with ground beef, smoked sausage, beans, potatoes, and corn. It's a big bowl of comfort on a fall day and perfect with a thick slice of cornbread with cinnamon honey butter!

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 258 kcal
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (14-ounce) package smoked sausage, sliced
  • 4 slices bacon, chopped
  • 3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (15-ounce) can corn kernels, drained
  • 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes
  • 2 1/2 cups beef broth
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a large Dutch oven or a heavy-bottomed large pot, cook the chopped bacon until crispy over medium-high heat. Remove the crispy bacon with a slotted spoon to a plate lined with paper towel and set aside. Drain the excess bacon fat, leaving just a tablespoon of bacon drippings in the pan for a rich flavor base.
  2. In the same pot, cook the ground beef, onion, and minced garlic over medium heat until browned. Drain any excess fat.
  3. Add the sliced smoked sausage and crumbled cooked bacon to the pot. Stir and cook for a few minutes until the sausage is heated through.
  4. Add the diced potatoes to the pot and stir to combine.
  5. Stir in the kidney beans, black beans, corn, and diced tomatoes (with their juice).
  6. Add the beef broth, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine all the ingredients.
  7. Bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the stew simmer for about 20-25 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the flavors are well combined.
  8. Optional step: Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese.

Notes

  • Storage: To store your Cowboy Stew, allow it to cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. Refrigerate the stew within 2 hours of cooking, and it can be safely stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. 
  • Freezing: If you'd like to store it for a longer period, portion it into individual servings, place them in airtight containers, and freeze for up to 2-3 months. When reheating, thaw frozen stew in the refrigerator overnight before reheating on the stove or in the microwave until heated through.
  • Instant Pot Cowboy Stew: Start by cooking the bacon in the instant pot on the saute feature. Then remove it and cook the ground beef, onions, and garlic using the saute feature until browned. Add all the ingredients except for the cheese into the instant pot, then cover and secure the lid in place. Set the pressure release valve to seal, then cook on high pressure for 4 minutes. Do a quick release, then check the potatoes to make sure they are tender before serving.
  • Slow Cooker Cowboy Stew: Cook the bacon in a large skillet on the stovetop over medium-high heat. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon and discard most of the bacon grease. Add the ground beef, onions, and garlic to the pan and cook, breaking up the meat, until browned. Add everything else except for the cheese to a crock pot and cover with the lid. Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours until the potatoes are tender before serving.

Nutrition Information

Calories 258kcal (13%) Carbohydrates 17g (6%) Protein 20g (40%) Fat 12g (18%) Saturated Fat 6g (30%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 4g Trans Fat 0.2g Cholesterol 57mg (19%) Sodium 643mg (27%) Potassium 648mg (19%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 361IU (7%) Vitamin C 17mg (19%) Calcium 129mg (13%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 258

% Daily Value*

Calories 258kcal 13%
Carbohydrates 17g 6%
Protein 20g 40%
Fat 12g 18%
Saturated Fat 6g 30%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 4g 20%
Trans Fat 0.2g 10%
Cholesterol 57mg 19%
Sodium 643mg 27%
Potassium 648mg 14%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin A 361IU 7%
Vitamin C 17mg 19%
Calcium 129mg 13%
Iron 3mg 17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.