Hearty Cowboy Stew Recipe: A Rustic Campfire Classic

Hearty cowboy stew whispers tales of rugged western landscapes and campfire cooking.

Pioneers crafted this robust meal using simple ingredients found on cattle drives.

Beef chunks simmer alongside hearty vegetables in a rich, deeply seasoned broth.

Ranch hands and trail workers relied on such nourishing dishes to sustain their demanding journeys.

Chunky potatoes and tender meat create a soul-warming combination that feels like a warm embrace.

Comfort arrives in each spoonful, connecting you to generations of culinary tradition.

Saddle up and savor this timeless recipe that promises to satisfy your hungriest adventures.

Why Cowboy Stew Is the Ultimate Comfort Bowl

• Hearty Flavor Explosion: Packed with bacon, sausage, ground beef, and a medley of vegetables, this cowboy stew delivers an incredible taste experience that will satisfy even the hungriest appetites.
• One-Pot Wonder: Simplify your cooking process with this convenient recipe that requires minimal cleanup and allows you to toss all ingredients into a single pot for maximum flavor and minimal kitchen mess.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, and gatherings, this robust stew brings warmth and excitement to the table with its rich, hearty ingredients that everyone will love digging into.
• Customize with Ease: Adaptable recipe lets you swap ingredients or adjust spices to match your taste preferences, making it a flexible meal that works for different dietary needs and flavor profiles.

What Goes in the Best Cowboy Stew Recipe

• Bacon: Provides a smoky flavor and crispy texture to the stew.
• Ground Beef: Creates a hearty base for the cowboy stew.
• Kielbasa Sausage: Adds a rich, savory flavor and additional protein.

• Onion, Garlic: Provide a foundational flavor and aromatic base for the stew.
• Green Chilies: Bring a mild heat and fresh pepper flavor.
• Sweet Corn: Adds sweetness and additional texture to the dish.
• Potatoes: Contribute a filling and starchy element to the stew.

• Diced Tomatoes: Offer acidity and moisture to the stew.
• Baked Beans: Provide a rich, sweet, and savory component.

• Flour: Helps to thicken the stew and create a rich consistency.
• Salt, Black Pepper, Chili Powder: Enhance the overall flavor profile of the dish.

• Parsley: Adds a fresh, bright finish to the stew.

• Water: Helps to create the desired stew consistency.

Cowboy Stew Cooking Directions for Hearty Meals

Step 1: Sizzle Bacon

Grab a large pot and heat it up over medium flame.

Toss in chopped bacon and let it dance until golden and crispy.

Scoop out the bacon bits and set them aside for later.

Step 2: Sear Sausage

Use the same pot with bacon drippings to brown sliced kielbasa sausage.

Cook until edges get a beautiful caramel color.

Remove sausage and keep waiting.

Step 3: Build Beef Base

Drop ground beef, diced onion, and minced garlic into the pot.

Break up beef while cooking until it transforms from pink to rich brown.

Keep stirring to prevent sticking.

Step 4: Sprinkle Seasonings

• Flour
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Chili powder

Stir everything together and let seasonings bloom for one minute.

Step 5: Pour and Combine

• Diced tomatoes
• Baked beans
• Chopped green chilies
• Sweet corn
• Cubed potatoes
• Reserved bacon
• Browned kielbasa
• Water

Step 6: Bubble and Simmer

Bring stew to a rolling boil, then drop heat to low.

Cover and let ingredients mingle for one hour.

Stir occasionally and splash extra water if stew looks thick.

Step 7: Plate and Garnish

Ladle steaming stew into bowls and sprinkle fresh chopped parsley on top.

Serve immediately.

Pro Tips for Robust Cowboy Stew Results

• Cook bacon until extra crispy for a deeper, smokier flavor that adds incredible texture to the stew.
• Use high-quality kielbasa for maximum flavor, and slice it evenly to ensure consistent cooking and distribution throughout the dish.
• Cut potatoes into uniform, bite-sized cubes to guarantee even cooking and prevent some pieces from becoming mushy while others remain undercooked.
• Monitor the stew's consistency during simmering, adding water gradually to prevent drying out and maintain a rich, hearty texture.
• Adjust chili powder according to your heat preference, or add a dash of hot sauce for those who enjoy a spicier cowboy stew experience.

Cowboy Stew Variations with Different Meats and Veggies

• Vegetarian Ranch Cowboy Stew: Replace meat with plant-based sausage, textured vegetable protein, and add extra beans for protein boost.
• Low-Sodium Cowboy Stew: Use low-sodium canned beans, omit added salt, substitute bacon with turkey bacon, and use herb seasonings for flavor enhancement.
• Gluten-Free Mountain Cowboy Stew: Replace wheat flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend, ensure all canned ingredients are certified gluten-free, and use gluten-free sausage options.
• Slow Cooker Cowboy Stew: Transfer all ingredients to slow cooker after browning meats, cook on low for 6-8 hours instead of stovetop simmering, creating tender, deeply flavored stew with minimal effort.

Serve Cowboy Stew with Cornbread or Rice

• Hearty Cowboy Campfire Feast: Serve this robust stew in deep rustic bowls to capture its authentic western charm.
• Southwestern Side Kick: Pair with warm cornbread or buttermilk biscuits to soak up the delicious stew liquid and add extra comfort.
• Ranch-Style Topping Extravaganza: Sprinkle crispy bacon bits, shredded cheddar cheese, and fresh chopped green onions on top for a flavor-packed finishing touch.
• Game Night Gathering Centerpiece: Perfect for casual dinners with friends, this filling stew becomes a conversation starter and crowd-pleasing main course that satisfies big appetites.

Cowboy Stew Storage for Meals Throughout the Week

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within two hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, ensuring the stew stays covered and sealed tightly.
• Transfer cooled stew to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, seal completely, and freeze for up to 3 months. Label with the date for easy tracking.
• Place individual portions in a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or damp paper towel. Heat on medium power, stirring every 30 seconds until thoroughly warmed to 165°F.

FAQs

• What makes cowboy stew different from other stews?

This hearty dish combines multiple meats like bacon, kielbasa, and ground beef, creating a rich, robust flavor profile that sets it apart from traditional stews.

• Is cowboy stew considered a budget-friendly meal?

Yes, cowboy stew uses affordable ingredients like ground beef, canned beans, and basic vegetables, making it an economical one-pot meal that feeds a crowd.

• Can I make cowboy stew in a slow cooker?

Absolutely! After browning the meats and sautéing the beef mixture, transfer everything to a slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours for tender, flavorful results.

Cowboy Stew Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Hearty cowboy stew brings rustic ranch flavors straight from Western kitchens to dinner tables. Packed with tender beef, robust vegetables, and rich seasonings, this one-pot wonder invites hungry diners to savor authentic comfort with each satisfying spoonful.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat Ingredients:

• 4 slices bacon, chopped
• 2 packages (12 ounces / 340 grams) kielbasa sausage, sliced
• 1.5 pounds (680 grams) ground beef (80/20)

Vegetable and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 (14.5 ounces / 411 grams) can petite diced tomatoes with liquid
• 1 (7 ounces / 198 grams) can chopped green chilies with liquid
• 1 (15 ounces / 425 grams) can sweet corn with liquid

Spices, Flour, and Liquid Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1.5 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 2 (16 ounces / 454 grams) cans baked beans with liquid
• 1 cup water
• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Render bacon in a large pot over medium heat until golden and crisp, then transfer to a plate, preserving the rendered fat.
2. Sear kielbasa sausage in the bacon drippings until caramelized on both sides, then remove and set aside.
3. Utilize the same pot to sauté ground beef with onions and garlic, crumbling the meat until thoroughly browned and no pink remains.
4. Dust the beef mixture with flour, salt, black pepper, and chili powder, stirring to create a uniform coating and allowing spices to bloom for one minute.
5. Consolidate all ingredients including tomatoes, baked beans, green chilies, sweet corn, potatoes, reserved bacon, and kielbasa into the pot, maintaining their liquid components.
6. Elevate the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to low. Partially cover and simmer for 60 minutes, periodically stirring and adjusting liquid levels to prevent scorching.
7. After cooking, ladle the robust stew into serving bowls and garnish with fresh parsley for a vibrant finish.

Notes

• Use thick-cut bacon for extra crunch and rich flavor that adds depth to the stew’s overall taste profile.
• Drain excess bacon fat if you want a lighter version of the dish, keeping just enough for seasoning.
• Consider using lean ground beef or turkey as a healthier alternative without compromising the robust cowboy-style texture.
• Swap canned beans with dried beans soaked overnight for a more authentic, less processed ingredient base that enhances nutritional value.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 388 kcal
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 990 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 26 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 65 mg