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
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
Instructions
- Render bacon in a large pot over medium heat until golden and crisp, then transfer to a plate, preserving the rendered fat.
- Sear kielbasa sausage in the bacon drippings until caramelized on both sides, then remove and set aside.
- Utilize the same pot to sauté ground beef with onions and garlic, crumbling the meat until thoroughly browned and no pink remains.
- 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.
- Consolidate all ingredients including tomatoes, baked beans, green chilies, sweet corn, potatoes, reserved bacon, and kielbasa into the pot, maintaining their liquid components.
- 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.
- 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