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This cowboy stew totally saved my week when I was swamped and just needed an easy dinner to fill everyone up. Toss some bacon, smoked sausage, ground beef, and loads of veggies into a big ol' pot—seriously, no fancy prep. What happens is pure comfort food magic. The smoky meats, soft potatoes, and a couple kinds of beans somehow mix into a thick, cozy meal that tastes like it took forever, but you’ll be eating in an hour.
My brother-in-law, who’s usually super picky, went back for three bowls the last time we made this. He swore it was like the best campfire food, only fancier, and he begs for it every family get-together. Even my teenage nephew—the one who only eats pizza—wanted to know how to make it.
Hearty Ingredients
- Smoked sausage and bacon: You’ll get extra smoky flavor in every bite thanks to both meats
- Russet potatoes: They keep their shape and help thicken everything as they cook
- Ground beef: Makes the stew totally filling and meaty
- Beans and corn: Kidney beans, black beans, plus corn give it color and make it more interesting
- Classic veggie mix: Chopped onions, garlic, and some fire-roasted tomatoes pack in lots of flavor
- Smoky spices: Toss in cumin, chili powder, and smoked paprika—they bring that bold taste you want
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Easy Step-by-Step
- Kick off with bacon and onions
- Cook the bacon in a large pot so it gets nice and crispy. Scoop it out, but keep a spoonful of the fat for flavor. Use that fat to cook your onions till they're soft and starting to brown, then add the garlic and cook just until you smell it.
- Brown everything else
- Drop in the ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks. Don’t skim on time here—let it get a little crispy for max flavor. Drain off the extra grease, throw in your sliced sausage and the cooked bacon, and dump in all those seasonings now.
- Tomatoes and potatoes next
- Add the canned tomatoes, scraping up everything stuck on the bottom—so much flavor is hiding there. Pile in the potatoes and pour in the broth. Crank up the heat for a quick boil, then let it simmer gently.
- Let it bubble away
- Simmer it all uncovered, about 25 minutes, giving it a stir every so often, until your potatoes are soft and the broth’s started thickening. The potatoes will help make the stew nice and rich.
- Beans and corn finish it
- Toss in the drained beans and corn for the last 5 minutes. That’s just enough time to warm them through so they don’t get mushy.
Trust me, I once tried this with waxy potatoes and ended up with mush. Russets are just soft enough to make things thick and tasty, but they don’t totally disappear so you get perfect texture every time.
Tasty Ways to Serve
This is a meal on its own, but grab some cornbread or thick toast to catch all that broth. Also awesome with a scoop of sour cream and a little grated cheese on top. Sprinkle chopped parsley or green onions for a fresh pop—it really lifts all those rich flavors.
Fun Ways to Switch It Up
Make it your own with what you’ve got. Add chopped peppers with the onion or toss in jalapeños for heat. Use different beans—pinto or navy beans totally work. Sometimes I pour in a little beer with the broth to make it richer.
Slow Cooker & Leftovers
Can’t be easier in a slow cooker—just brown your meats first, then put everything but beans and corn into your crockpot and let it go 5-6 hours on low. Add beans and corn for the last hour so they don’t get too soft. Leftovers keep in the fridge up to four days and are even better the next day when flavors have time to blend.
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This cowboy stew is now my go-to for everything from chill family nights to feeding a big bunch at parties. It’s wild how these basic ingredients turn into something so warm and satisfying. Honestly, it’s just the kind of one-pot meal that makes everyone feel at home.
Recipe FAQs
- → Is it possible to prepare this in a slow cooker?
- Totally! Let it cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 5-6 hours. Stir in the corn and beans during the last hour to keep their texture.
- → Which kind of potatoes should I use?
- Russets are great because they stay firm and help thicken the mix. If using other kinds, just pull back on the cook time.
- → Can this be stored in the freezer?
- For sure! Keep it frozen up to 3 months. The potatoes may feel a bit different once thawed, but the flavors stay awesome. Defrost overnight and warm up slowly.
- → How do I make the stew spicier?
- Mix in jalapeños when adding onions. You can also swap in hot sausage or sprinkle some cayenne with the spices.
- → What sides go well with cowboy stew?
- It’s filling enough alone, but serve it with cornbread, biscuit rolls, or a crusty loaf. Toppings like sour cream or shredded cheese are tasty additions.