Easy Cowboy Stew

This hearty Cowboy Stew is loaded with ground beef, smoked sausage, beans, corn & potatoes. It’s perfectly spice and delicious served with my cornbread and honey butter!

Try my Corn Chowder, Minestronie Soup & Chicken Pot Pie Soup next!

this recipe!

Texas Cowboy Stew

This hearty Texas Cowboy Stew is the ultimate cozy fall dinner! Loaded with ground beef, sausage, beans, potatoes, and just the right kick of spice, it’s a rich, filling meal perfect for chilly nights, game days, or potlucks. Whether you make it on the stove or in the crockpot, this cowboy-inspired recipe brings comfort straight to the table.

Why you’ll love this recipe

• Hearty Comfort Food: This hearty stew is the definition of comfort food, packed with tender beef, savory spices, and a rich, flavorful broth that’ll warm you up from the inside out.
• Cowboy Spirit: Experience a taste of the Wild West with a recipe inspired by the legendary cowboys who roamed the Texan plains. It’s a delicious nod to the spirit of adventure.
• Easy Prep: You don’t need to be a culinary whiz to whip up this dish. It’s straightforward, and I’ve included step-by-step instructions to make it a breeze for anyone and the perfect meal on a busy day.
• Customizable: Feel free to make it your own by adding your favorite veggies, beans, or even adjusting the spice level to suit your taste. It’s versatile and accommodating.
• Leftovers Galore: This stew gets even better with time, so don’t hesitate to make a big batch. Enjoy it today, and savor it for days to come – it’s a stew recipe that tastes equally delicious the next day!

Ingredients for Texas-Style Cowboy Stew

This recipe uses simple ingredients that you should easily find in the grocery store. I’ve listed them below along with some ideas for substitutions should you need them.

You can also find a full printable recipe card at the bottom of this page.

• ground beef – use whatever you normally would buy for ground beef. I like to use lean ground beef since there is less fat content and less fat to drain off after cooking. You can also substitute ground turkey or ground chicken.
• onion – you can use yellow cooking onions, white onions or sweet onions in this recipe.
• garlic cloves, minced – fresh garlic is best, or you could also substitute 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder.
• skinless smoked sausage, sliced – you can use Eckrich Skinless Smoked sausage, or you can use your own favorite brand. You could also use hot dogs in a pinch!
• cooked bacon, crumbled – I prefer to cook bacon myself, but feel free to purchase store-bought cooked and crumbled bacon.
• potatoes, peeled and diced – you can use any type of potatoes(Yukon gold, russet potatoes) and you could substitute them with sweet potatoes, butternut squash or turnip as well!
• kidney beans – you can also substitute pinto beans, navy beans or cannellini beans.
• black beans, drained and rinsed
• whole corn kernels, drained – if you’re not a fan or corn, you can omit it or substitute with frozen mixed vegetables.
• diced canned tomatoes – instead of canned tomatoes, you could substitute a can of Rotel tomatoes.
• beef broth – swap the beef broth for chicken broth or vegetable both, if you prefer.
• chili powder
• cumin
• smoked paprika – you can also use regular paprika.
• salt & black pepper
• cheddar cheese, optional
• sour cream – optional for topping

Can I use a different type of sausage?

You sure can! You can use other types of sausages, such as chorizo, kielbasa sausage or Italian sausage in this old-fashioned cowboy stew. Choose the variety of sausage that matches your flavor preferences.

How to make this easy cowboy stew

I’ve got your back, folks! I make sure each recipe post comes with all the inside scoop and tips you need. But hey, if you’re just here for the grub, no worries! Hit that ‘jump to recipe’ button at the top of the page, and let’s get straight to the good stuff. Everybody’s happy!”

STEP ONE – Cook the ground beef with onion and minced garlic in a large pot or large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until browned and no longer pink inside.

STEP TWO – Next, add in the sliced sausage and cooked bacon and cook for just a few uminutes until heated through.

STEP THREE – Add the diced potatoes and stir until combined.

STEP FOUR – Stir in the kidney beans, black beans, corn and diced tomatoes (do not drain the tomatoes).

STEP FIVE – Add in the beef broth, spices, salt & pepper. Stir to combine all of the ingredients.

STEP SIX – Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes until the potatoes are fork-tender and the flavors are well-combined.

STEP SEVEN – Top with cheddar cheese (if using).

Can I make Cowboy Stew in a Slow Cooker?

Yes you can! Follow recipe directions for cooking the ground beef, onions and garlic, then place that mixture in the bottom of a 6 quart (or larger) slow cooker. Add the remaining ingredients, cover and cook on high for 3 to 4 hours or on low heat for 6 to 8 hours.

How to Store & Freeze Cowboy Stew

To store: cool remaining stew to room temperature, then transfer to airtight container. Refrigerate within two hours of cooking and it can be safely store in the refrigerator to up to 3 to 4 days.

To freeze: Portion the cooled soup into individual servings and place in airtight containers. Freeze for up to 2 to 3 months. To reheat, thaw frozen stew in the refrigeator overnight before rehating on the stove or in the microwave until heated through.