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Cowboy Stew

Cowboy Stew

A hearty and rustic one-pot meal combining three types of meat, beans, and vegetables for a stick-to-your-ribs dinner.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 745
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

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

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Cook bacon in a large pot over medium heat until brown and crispy. Using a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to a plate lined with a paper towel to drain. Reserve about 2 tablespoons of bacon drippings in the pot.
  2. Add the kielbasa sausage to the pot drippings and brown on both sides, adjusting heat as needed so the fond (brown bits on the bottom of the pot) does not burn. Remove to the plate with bacon; set aside.
  3. Add the ground beef, diced onion, and minced garlic to the pot. Brown the beef, breaking it up with a spoon, until it is no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease.
  4. Sprinkle the flour, salt, black pepper, and chili powder over the beef mixture. Stir well and cook for 1 minute to toast the flour.
  5. Add the petite diced tomatoes (with liquid), baked beans (with liquid), chopped green chilies (with liquid), sweet corn (with liquid), cubed potatoes, cooked bacon, cooked kielbasa sausage, and water to the pot.
  6. Stir everything together to combine. Bring the stew to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
  7. Check the consistency of the stew. If it is too thick for your liking, add a little more water, about 1/4 cup at a time, until it reaches your desired thickness.
  8. Serve the cowboy stew hot, garnished with fresh chopped parsley.

Notes

This cowboy stew recipe is an amazingly wholesome and easy-to-prepare meal that you’ll feel great about feeding your family! Cooking everything in one pot helps contain the mess and build incredible layers of flavor.
**About the Beans:** This recipe uses baked beans for a slightly sweet, nostalgic flavor, reminiscent of campfire cooking. If you prefer a richer, more savory stew, you can substitute Ranch Style beans (including their liquid) instead.
**About the Meats:** The combination of bacon, kielbasa, and ground beef provides a deep, dimensional flavor. The kielbasa, in particular, adds a delicious smokiness that complements the other meats.
**About the Tomatoes:** Petite diced tomatoes are used for convenience and to help them break down faster. If petite diced are unavailable, crushed tomatoes are a good alternative.
**About the Corn:** Sweet corn is specifically used for its natural sweetness. Ensure you are using sweet corn, not just regular corn with added sugar.