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Hearty Cowboy Stew

Featured in Comforting Soups & Hearty Stews.

Full of bold flavors, this stew is a mix of crispy bacon, savory sausage, juicy ground beef, and tender veggies. It’s a quick, satisfying option for cold evenings or family meals. Pair it with fresh bread for the ultimate comfort dinner!

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Updated on Thu, 10 Apr 2025 19:31:43 GMT
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Hearty Cowboy Stew | linacooks.com
This rustic Rancher's Pot brings crispy bacon, smoky sausage, crumbled beef, and loads of veggies together in a thick, warming broth. It's just what you need when it's freezing outside - a complete meal that's bursting with taste and so simple to whip up for family get-togethers or busy weeknights.

What You'll Need

  • Chopped Bacon: Gives the pot a smoky kick and creates a tasty foundation.
  • Sliced Kielbasa: Brings big meaty chunks and tons of flavor to your bowl.
  • 80/20 Ground Beef: Makes everything heartier and packs in the protein.
  • Diced Onion: Adds a bit of natural sweetness and builds flavor.
  • Minced Garlic: Brings that warm, fragrant punch everyone loves.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Turns your broth nice and thick like a chunky chowder.

More Stuff to Throw In

  • Black Pepper and Salt: The basic stuff that makes everything else taste better.
  • Chili Powder: Gives a cozy warmth that ties all the flavors together.
  • Petite Diced Tomatoes with juice: Adds a tangy brightness to balance the rich meats.
  • Ranch Beans or Baked Beans with liquid: Brings a touch of sweetness and makes everything creamier.
  • Green Chilies with juice: Adds a gentle kick and some Southwestern charm.
  • Sweet Corn with liquid: Pops of sweetness and pretty yellow specks throughout.

How To Make It

Step 1: Get the Bacon Going
Toss chopped bacon into a big pot over medium heat and cook until it's nice and crispy. Scoop it out with a slotted spoon and put it on some paper towels to drain.
Step 2: Cook the Sausage
Throw the sliced sausage into the bacon fat left in the pot. Get it nice and brown on both sides, turning down the heat if needed so it doesn't burn. When it's done, add it to the plate with your bacon.
Step 3: Mix Up the Beef and Veggies
Drop the ground beef, diced onion, and minced garlic into the same pot. Keep stirring until the beef isn't pink anymore and the onions have softened up.
Step 4: Sprinkle in Flavors and Thickener
Dust the flour, salt, black pepper, and chili powder over your meat mixture. Mix it all up and let it cook for about a minute to work the flour in - this'll make your stew thicker.
Step 5: Pour in Everything Else
Add your tomatoes, beans, chilies, corn, and potatoes to the pot. Dump the bacon and sausage back in too, plus a cup of water. Give everything a good stir.
Step 6: Let It Bubble Away
Bring it all to a boil, then turn down the heat to a gentle simmer. Cover the pot and let it cook for an hour, stirring now and then so nothing sticks to the bottom.
Step 7: Finish It Off
When your potatoes feel tender, taste your creation and add more seasoning if needed. Sprinkle some chopped parsley on top to make it pretty before you serve it up.

How to Serve It Right

  • Ladle this hot stew into bowls and top with fresh parsley for a pop of green.
  • Grab some crunchy bread or warm cornbread to mop up all the tasty juices.
  • Keep any leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days in a sealed container.
  • When you want more, warm it slowly in a pot and add a splash of water if it's gotten too thick.

Quick Tricks

  • Want it hotter? Throw in more chili powder or some chopped jalapeños.
  • If you like your stew super thick, smash some potatoes against the side of the pot before serving.
  • Too thick for your taste? Just splash in more water until it looks right to you.

Pro Chef Advice

  • Bobby Flay says to really brown your meats well for the deepest flavor.
  • Rachael Ray thinks you should season as you go instead of just at the end.
  • Ina Garten swears by using only the best stock to build amazing taste.

What Makes This So Good

  • This one-pot wonder saves you from washing tons of dishes but still delivers big flavor.
  • The mix of bacon, sausage and ground beef creates an incredibly rich taste you'll crave.
  • It warms you up from the inside out - just what you need for family meals or when friends come over.

Mix It Up

  • Want something lighter? Switch to turkey sausage and ground turkey instead.
  • Try sweet potatoes instead of russets for a slightly different flavor and more nutrients.
  • Toss in some chopped bell peppers for extra color and a hint of sweetness.

Hearty Cowboy Stew

A rich stew packed with bacon, sausage, beef, and vegetables. Perfect for keeping warm and enjoying with loved ones!

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
75 Minutes
Total Time
95 Minutes
By: Paolina

Category: Soups & Stews

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 8 Servings

Dietary: Dairy-Free

Ingredients

01 1 1/2 pounds ground beef with 80/20 fat ratio.
02 2 russet potatoes, peeled and cubed into 1/2 inch pieces.
03 1 medium-sized onion, diced into small chunks.
04 3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped.
05 2 (16-ounce) cans of baked beans or ranch beans, including their liquid.
06 1 (14.5-ounce) can petite diced tomatoes, with juices included.
07 2 (12-ounce) packages of kielbasa, sliced into 1/2 inch rounds.
08 4 pieces of bacon, cut into small bits.
09 1 (15-ounce) can sweet corn, including the liquid.
10 1 (7-ounce) can green chilies, keeping the juices.
11 1 cup water.
12 3 tablespoons of regular flour.
13 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt.
14 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper.
15 1 teaspoon of chili powder.
16 2 tablespoons of parsley, shredded.

Instructions

Step 01

Toss the bacon pieces into a large pot and cook on medium heat till they're super crispy. Scoop them out with a slotted spoon and let them drain on a paper towel-lined plate.

Step 02

Drop the sausage slices into the same pot and fry them till both sides have a nice brown finish. Keep an eye on the heat so they don’t burn. Once done, move them to the plate with the bacon.

Step 03

Mix the ground beef, chopped onion, and minced garlic in the pot. Stir and cook everything until there’s no pink left in the beef.

Step 04

Sprinkle the chili powder, salt, pepper, and flour over the cooked beef. Stir it well and let it cook for one minute to blend the seasonings.

Step 05

Pour in the tomatoes, beans, corn, green chilies, potatoes, cooked bacon, sausage, and a cup of water. Let it come to a boil, then reduce the heat. Cover and simmer for an hour, stirring now and then.

Step 06

Before serving, toss some fresh parsley over the top for a pop of color and flavor.

Step 07

Getting too thick? Pour in a little extra water and stir until you reach your preferred texture.

Notes

  1. Cowboy stew’s a cozy, filling combo of bacon, sausage, beef, and tasty veggies simmered together for rich flavor.
  2. Perfect for chilly evenings or family meals, this hearty stew pairs great with warm, crusty bread on the side.
  3. Add a splash of water if you want it less thick.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 500
  • Total Fat: 30 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 36 g
  • Protein: 20 g