Description
Cowboy Stew is a hearty and comforting one-pot meal featuring ground beef, smoked sausage, potatoes, beans, and vegetables simmered in a flavorful broth. Perfect for a family dinner, this American classic combines protein, fiber, and rich spices to deliver a filling and flavorful dish that’s easy to prepare and enjoy.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound smoked sausage, sliced into rounds
Vegetables and Legumes
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
- 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
Liquids and Seasonings
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional Garnish
- Chopped parsley
Instructions
- Brown the Meats: In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until fully browned. Drain the excess fat to keep the stew from becoming greasy. Then add the sliced smoked sausage and cook for an additional 3–4 minutes until it browns lightly.
- Sauté Aromatics: Stir in the diced onion and minced garlic to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are translucent and the garlic is fragrant, about 2 minutes, which will build the flavor base for the stew.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Add the peeled and diced potatoes, canned diced tomatoes with their juice, drained pinto beans, corn, beef broth, tomato paste, chili powder, smoked paprika, dried oregano, and season with salt and black pepper to taste. Stir thoroughly to combine all the ingredients evenly.
- Simmer the Stew: Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low to maintain a gentle simmer. Cover the pot and cook for 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are tender and the flavors have melded together beautifully.
- Adjust Seasoning and Serve: Taste the stew and add more salt, pepper, or spices if desired. Serve the cowboy stew hot, garnished with chopped parsley if preferred, alongside cornbread or crusty bread for a complete and satisfying meal.
Notes
- This stew is flexible—feel free to add green chiles, kidney beans, or use canned baked beans for an extra touch of sweetness.
- Pair the stew with cornbread or crusty bread to soak up the delicious broth and enhance the meal.
- Leftovers store well and taste even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
