Cowboy Stew: 7 Hearty Flavors You’ll Crave

If there’s one recipe that feels like a warm hug on a chilly evening, it’s Cowboy Stew. Packed with smoky bacon, hearty sausage, ground beef, beans, and tender potatoes, this is the kind of meal that makes everyone gather around the table—no questions asked. And the best part? It’s a one-pot wonder that practically cooks itself while you get to kick off your boots and relax.

This Cowboy Stew is a lifesaver on busy weeknights when dinner feels like just one more chore. You’ll love how easy it is to toss together, and trust me—this recipe will have the whole family coming back for seconds.

Why You’ll Love This Cowboy Stew

• One-pot magic: Fewer dishes, more flavor. Who doesn’t love that combo?
• Hearty & filling: Perfect for feeding a hungry crew—kids, spouses, or that one friend who always has seconds.
• Versatile: You can tweak it based on what’s in your pantry without losing that rich, cozy flavor.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 4 slices bacon, chopped
• 2 (12-ounce) packages kielbasa sausage, cut into 1/2-inch slices
• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef (80/20)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can petite diced tomatoes (with liquid)
• 2 (16-ounce) cans baked beans or ranch beans (with liquid)
• 1 (7-ounce) can chopped green chilies (with liquid)
• 1 (15-ounce) can sweet corn (with liquid)
• 2 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 cup water
• 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped (for garnish)

How to Make Cowboy Stew

Making Cowboy Stew is as simple as it is satisfying. Everything comes together in one pot, and each step builds layers of smoky, savory flavor.

1. Cook the bacon. Start by frying the chopped bacon in a large pot over medium heat. Let it get nice and crispy—it’s going to give your stew that irresistible smoky depth. Once it’s done, transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels, leaving the flavorful drippings in the pot.
2. Brown the sausage. In those glorious bacon drippings, add the kielbasa slices. Sear them until both sides are golden brown—this step adds a rich, meaty flavor that makes the stew unforgettable. Remove the sausage to the plate with the bacon.
3. Cook the beef and aromatics. Now, add the ground beef, onion, and garlic to the pot. Break up the beef as it cooks, letting it brown and absorb all that goodness left behind. Once the beef is no longer pink, sprinkle in the flour, salt, pepper, and chili powder. Stir well and let it cook for about a minute to form a flavorful base for the stew.
4. Add the rest of the ingredients. Here comes the magic moment! Stir in the diced tomatoes, beans, green chilies, corn, potatoes, bacon, sausage, and water. Give everything a good stir so the flavors mingle.
5. Simmer to perfection. Bring the pot to a boil, then immediately lower the heat to a gentle simmer. Cover and let it cook for about 1 hour. The potatoes will become tender, the broth will thicken slightly, and the flavors will come together beautifully. Give it a stir every so often to make sure nothing sticks.
6. Check consistency and season. If your Cowboy Stew feels too thick, splash in a bit more water. Taste and adjust seasoning with extra salt or pepper if needed.
7. Serve and enjoy. Ladle that hearty stew into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley. Grab some crusty bread, biscuits, or cornbread for dunking—because you’ll want every last drop!

Tips for the Best Cowboy Stew

• Sweeter or savory? Go with baked beans for a sweeter stew or ranch beans for a more savory flavor.
• Make it spicy. Add a pinch of cayenne or a few jalapeño slices if you like a little kick.
• Meal prep friendly. This stew tastes even better the next day—hello, easy leftovers!

Confession time: The first time I made Cowboy Stew, my husband and kids ate in complete silence. That’s how I knew it was a winner! Now, it’s in heavy rotation at our house.

FAQs About Cowboy Stew

Let’s Dig In!

Cowboy Stew is the kind of recipe that turns a regular night into a cozy family dinner. It’s hearty, flavorful, and so easy that you’ll find yourself making it over and over. The smell alone will have everyone circling the kitchen, waiting for that first warm bite. Pair it with crusty bread, a fresh salad, or even cornbread muffins, and you’ve got yourself a complete meal that feels as comforting as it tastes. Next time life feels a little too busy, just let this pot of goodness do the heavy lifting—you’ll be glad you did, and so will everyone at your table!

More Cozy Recipes to Try Next

If you loved this hearty Cowboy Stew, you’ll definitely want to try some of these other comfort food favorites:

• Warm up with a bowl of Crock Pot Beef and Noodles—perfect for chilly nights when you need something rich and filling.
• For another slow-cooked classic, check out this French Onion Pot Roast that’s loaded with savory flavor.
• If you love sausage recipes, this Crockpot Kielbasa and Green Beans is a simple but flavorful side or main dish.
• And don’t miss the Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole for another hearty, family-friendly dinner option.

Adding these Recipes not only gives you more mealtime inspiration but also helps you discover even more easy, flavorful slow cooker recipes to enjoy all year round!

Cowboy Stew

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• Author: Mounia
• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x

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Description

A hearty cowboy stew loaded with smoky sausage, ground beef, beans, potatoes, corn, and tomatoes. This one-pot comfort meal is perfect for busy weeknights and cozy family dinners.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 slices bacon, chopped

• 2 (12-ounce) packages kielbasa sausage, cut into 1/2-inch slices

• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef (80/20)

• 1 medium onion, diced

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

• 1 teaspoon chili powder

• 1 (14.5-ounce) can petite diced tomatoes (with liquid)

• 2 (16-ounce) cans baked beans or ranch beans (with liquid)

• 1 (7-ounce) can chopped green chilies (with liquid)

• 1 (15-ounce) can sweet corn (with liquid)

• 2 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cubed

• 1 cup water

• 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. In a large pot, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels.

2. Brown the kielbasa slices in the bacon drippings, then remove to the same plate.

3. Add ground beef, onion, and garlic to the pot. Cook until beef is no longer pink. Stir in flour, salt, pepper, and chili powder.

4. Add diced tomatoes, beans, green chilies, corn, potatoes, bacon, sausage, and water. Stir to combine.

5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and cover. Simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

6. Adjust consistency with more water if needed. Garnish with parsley and serve hot.

Notes

Use baked beans for a sweeter flavor or ranch beans for a more savory taste.
Add cayenne or jalapeños for a spicy kick.
Stew tastes even better the next day and is freezer-friendly.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Main Dish , soup
• Method: Stovetop, One-Pot
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 Serving
• Calories: 410 kcal
• Sugar: 9 g
• Sodium: 980 mg
• Fat: 19 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 65 mg