My cowboy stew recipe is one part beef stew, one part chili, five parts DELICIOUS! Three types of meat and wholesome veggies will have everyone in your family begging for more of this stew recipe!
Love hearty stew recipes? You’ll flip for this! With the tender meat of a slow cooker beef stew (one of the most popular stew recipes in the history of my site!!!), and the veggies and beans of a Brunswick stew, cowboy stew takes the best parts of your favorite recipes and simmers them to perfection.
The only thing it doesn’t have is a nod to chicken stew…but hey, let’s throw in some shredded poultry! Why not? Cowboy stew welcomes every ingredient!
Let’s make this stew!!
What I Love About This Recipe
This ain’t your mama’s stew recipe! Loaded with three types of meat and tons of veggies, this stew is the lip-smacking dinner your family’s been waiting for.
- Tender, juicy meat
- One-pot wonder
- Easy cleanup!
- Crowd-pleasing flavor
Cowboy Stew Ingredients
- Bacon
- Kielbasa Sausage
- Ground Beef
- Onion
- Garlic
- Flour
- Salt + Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Diced Tomatoes
- Baked Beans
- Green Chilies
- Sweet Corn
- Potatoes
- Parsley
Cowboy Stew Recipe Notes
My 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.
- Let’s Talk Beans!! This is the exact taste of Cowboy stew that my Girl Scout troop used to make. That said, some people find the baked beans, too sweet. I’ve received many suggestions (Hello, Texas! Love you!!) to use ranch-style beans, including the liquid in the can instead!
- Kielbasa – This recipe uses three types of meat for a fully dimensional flavor sensation! If you’re thinking about skipping one, don’t — I promise, it’s worth it. For instance, the kielbasa brings a delicious smokiness that the bacon and beef don’t have. You just can’t have cowboy stew without all these treats!
- Tomatoes – I use canned tomatoes for this recipe to save time in the prep stage as well as the cooking stage. And using petite diced tomatoes helps them break down even faster! If you can’t find petite, using crushed is a good alternative.
- Beans – I love the flavor and sweetness that comes with using canned baked beans in this stew! My favorite is good ol’ Bush’s Original, but you can use any brand at your store.
- Corn – Playing up the sweetness, even more, I use sweet corn in this recipe too. Sweet corn is NOT just corn canned with sugar — it’s a specific type of corn. So make sure you’re reading labels and not just getting plain corn with added sugar. Yuck!
How To Make Cowboy Stew Recipe
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Cook bacon until brown and crispy in a large pot. Set aside.
-
Add the sausage to pot drippings and brown on both sides. Set aside.
-
Add beef, onion, and garlic to the pot.
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Brown until the beef is no longer pink.
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Sprinkle flour, salt, pepper, and chili powder over beef. Stir and cook for 1 minute.
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Add diced tomatoes, baked beans, green chilies, sweet corn, potatoes, bacon, sausage, and water.
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Bring to a boil then immediately reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
***See Full Instructions Below.
Cowboy Stew Crockpot Instructions
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Cook bacon until brown and crispy in a large pot. Using a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to a plate lined with a paper towel to drain.
-
Add the sausage to the pot drippings and brown on both sides, adjusting the 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.
-
Add beef, onion, and garlic to the pot and brown until the beef is no longer pink. Sprinkle flour, salt, pepper, and chili powder over beef. Stir and cook for 1 minute.
- Add all meats to a large crockpot.
- Add diced tomatoes, baked beans, green chilies, sweet corn, potatoes, and water to crockpot.
- Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours.
Storing + Freezing + Make-Ahead
- How Long Can You Keep This In The Fridge? Store your cowboy stew leftovers in an airtight container, and they’ll last in your fridge for up to four days. If saving space is a priority, you can put your cooled cowboy stew in a gallon-sized Ziploc.
- It does tend to thicken a little as it sits in the fridge so you may need to thin it out with a little water when you reheat it.
- Can You Freeze This? Yes and no. This cowboy stew recipe is fantastic for meal prep and it always helps to have a ready-made meal in the freezer. But the potatoes can be quite finicky in freezing temps, so you may want to leave those out — you can always add canned potatoes to this when it’s time to serve!
- If you do freeze it sans potatoes, you can let it sit in your freezer for up to three months. To thaw, let it sit in the fridge overnight. Then add your potatoes and reheat!
- Make Ahead Tips: This one-pot wonder comes together pretty quickly thanks to those canned goodies! The various meats can’t be cooked ahead because you need them to build the flavor for your stew, but you can always chop the onions, garlic, potatoes, and kielbasa ahead of time.
- The onions and garlic can be stored together, and the kielbasa can go in a sealed plastic bag — all of it can sit for up to a week in the fridge.
- Food Safety: If you’d like more info on food safety check out this link.
Serving Recommendations
This cowboy stew recipe goes with pretty much any favorite chili and stew sides! Southern cornbread or Bisquick cornbread if you like it sweet, Bisquick biscuits, beer bread, or tender buttery crescent rolls. Looking for biscuits instead? I don’t blame you! Try my easy peasy Bisquick biscuits, butter swim biscuits, big ol’ cat head biscuits, or for a sweet addition, my Bo Berry biscuits!
I also like to add some veggies and crunch via my KFC coleslaw, strawberry spinach salad, carrot salad, or broccoli salad!
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More Hearty Soups And Stew
- Hungarian Goulash (Authentically Dee-Lish!!)
- Instant Pot Beef Stew
- Hamburger Stew
- Green Chile Stew
- Shipwreck Stew
Cowboy Stew
Ingredients
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 2 (12-ounce) package 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, 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 cut into 1/2 inch cubes
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook bacon until brown and crispy in a large pot. Using a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to a plate lined with a paper towel to drain.
- Add the sausage to pot drippings and brown on both sides, adjusting heat as needed so fond (brown bits on the bottom of the pot) does not burn. Remove to the plate with bacon; set aside.
- Add beef, onion, and garlic to the pot and brown until the beef is no longer pink. Sprinkle flour, salt, pepper, and chili powder over beef. Stir and cook for 1 minute.
- Add diced tomatoes, baked beans, green chilies, sweet corn, potatoes, bacon, sausage, and water. Bring to a boil then immediately reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
- Garnish with parsley.
- Add additional water if stew is too thick.
Fans Also Made:
Notes
- Let’s Talk Beans!! This is the exact taste of Cowboy stew that my Girl Scout troop used to make. That said, some people find the baked beans, too sweet. I’ve received many suggestions (Hello, Texas! Love you!!) to use ranch-style beans, including the liquid in the can instead!
- Kielbasa – This recipe uses three types of meat for a fully dimensional flavor sensation! If you’re thinking about skipping one, don’t — I promise, it’s worth it. For instance, the kielbasa brings a delicious smokiness that the bacon and beef don’t have. You just can’t have cowboy stew without all these treats!
- Tomatoes – I use canned tomatoes for this recipe to save time in the prep stage as well as the cooking stage. And using petite diced tomatoes helps them break down even faster! If you can’t find petite, using crushed is a good alternative.
- Beans – I love the flavor and sweetness that comes with using canned baked beans in this stew! My favorite is good ol’ Bush’s Original, but you can use any brand at your store.
- Corn – Playing up the sweetness, even more, I use sweet corn in this recipe too. Sweet corn is NOT just corn canned with sugar — it’s a specific type of corn. So make sure you’re reading labels and not just getting plain corn with added sugar. Yuck!
Nutrition
Jo says
Quick, easy, hearty dish! My family loved all the flavors. Try it! You’ll like it!
Kathleen says
Jo, I’m so happy to hear it <3!
Saya Waldmann says
Making this now and the house smells delicious! Been tasting as it’s simmering and can’t wait to sit down and eat a bowl as it’s a cold rainy day here. Made exactly as listed and will be serving garlic and cheese breadsticks to go with it.
Kathleen says
That’s so perfect, Saya! I’m happy you like it 🙂
Amanda Paige says
Do you drain the grease from the hamburger meat before adding the flour or leave it in?
Kathleen says
Hey Amanda. I don’t drain the pan drippings in this recipe.
Janis says
Next time I will not put baked beans they made it too sweet. Will use pinto beans or black beans. Otherwise good!!
John M says
Had to cut it in half, can only do so much left overs! Omitted corn and subbed Rotel & ranch style beans. Delicious!
Debbie Lee says
This was wonderful. Great flavors mixed together. Made exactly as written but I did leave out the green chilies. Will make again. Can’t wait for the leftovers.
Kathleen says
Hi, Debbie! Yay, that’s great news, I’m happy you liked it! <3
Laura Stahl says
My husband hates stew, but he loved this, even went back for seconds! I added a bit of heavy cream, taco seasoning, and ranch seasoning. I was wonder if after cooking all the meat if it can be finished in a crock pot?
Kathleen says
Hi, Laura. So happy this was a hit in your family! Yes, you can finish this, as you described, in a crockpot <3
Franky says
Since it’s only 2 of us I cut recipe in half added celery and carrots. Substituted baked beans for kidney beans. Turned out great. We will be making it again.
Rachel says
It was really good. The only thing for me was it needed a tad more seasoning so I added more in my bowl. I’ll see what everyone else thinks. Thank you for sharing. I have added to my make again meals. 🙂
Kathleen says
Woohoo! So stoked to hear you like it, Rachel! 😀
Rachel Childress says
My husband absolutely loved it. He didn’t get to eat it until the next afternoon so it had time to sit to me soups and stews always taste even more better the next day. But I get to add this good recipe to make on a regular now. Thank you again!
Sara says
What seasonings did you add?
Rachel says
I just added a little more of the seasoning it called for in the recipe in my bowl. The next day I didnt add anything else.
Jena says
This was absolutely delicious! Perfect for a rainy/windy day. Thank you so much for sharing your phenomenal recipe. We’ll definitely be making this again & again. ?
Kathleen says
You’re very welcome, Jena! 😀 So happy to hear you like it!
Tiff says
I had zero time & only smoked sausage. So I said why not & made it with only that for meat… threw it in the Instant Pot for 10 mins & it was DELICIOUS! I will definitely make this again! Thank you!
Dawn Jennerjohn says
I’m making this at our Elks Lodge Friday. I was asked if it is gluten free. I’ve been reading as much as I can about gluten free and I’m not sure. Would you say this recipe is gluten free?
Thank you so much.
I’m very excited to make this.
Kathleen says
Hi Dawn! Unfortunately, the stew isn’t gluten-free since it has flour in it, but you can use ingredients with a gluten-free label instead. 😀 Enjoy cooking!
Cynthia says
You could use Bob’s All Purpose Gluten Free flour as a flour substitute. Perhaps thicken with cornstarch instead. But make sure all canned foods do not contain wheat.
FreyaFL says
I made this yesterday pretty much as stated (except using ground turkey instead of beef). It came out WONDERFUL! Everyone thought it was delicious! Even my pickiest eater declared it “Yum!” I will definitely be making this again. Thank you for an easy and great recipe!
Brigitte says
This soup is delicious. My husband and I loved it. I will definitely be making it again!
Kathleen says
???
Sue Smith says
This is really good. It makes a big pot of stew but no real way to cut down the recipe so we will freeze the rest for later. It is pretty sweet so pay attention to the baked beans you use because that’s where the sweetness comes from. Next time I’d probably drain the baked beans to make it less sweet but it was still delicious!
Kathleen says
Glad to hear you like it, Sue!?
Sue Elliott Smith says
Actually it was not nearly as sweet after it simmered for an hour as it was when I first tasted it. My husband loved it and we didn’t freeze the rest because he wants it again in a day or two!
Laura says
Can u freeze this
Kathleen says
” Yes and no. This cowboy stew recipe is fantastic for meal prep and it always helps to have a ready-made meal in the freezer. But the potatoes can be quite finicky in freezing temps, so you may want to leave those out — you can always add canned potatoes to this when it’s time to serve!
If you do freeze it sans potatoes, you can let it sit in your freezer for up to three months. To thaw, let it sit in the fridge overnight. Then add your potatoes and reheat! “
Etta Miller says
I’m wanting to make this for a soup supper that our Auxiliary is having this month. They would like us to bring about 18 quarts (electric roaster full) of soup. How much would I have to increase this to make that much>
Kathleen says
Hi Etta! It really depends on how many servings you want to make. 😀 Try adjusting the number of servings on the recipe card and see if you can find the ideal estimate for the occasion- the ingredients will change accordingly as well. Hope this helps!
Trina says
Simple and wonderfully delicious! Fed it to my husband and son after they got back from hunting in near freezing tempuratures!! It was the perfect way to end the day!,
Kathleen says
Yes, warm stew in cold weather is the best! So happy to hear everyone like it! 😀
Cat says
Delicious dinner! My boyfriend doesn’t like beans that much, so I omitted them and made up for the lack of bean sauce with some hits of BBQ sauce. It worked brilliantly.
I used a jar of salsa instead of the diced tomatoes and peppers. It tasted wonderful.
Thanks for the easy, tasty recipe!
Kathleen says
You’re very welcome, Cat! 😀 So happy to hear it turned out great for you!
Linda says
My daughter does t like hamburger (it’s a texture thing) so I substituted stew meat instead. Cooked it 4 hours on high in the crock pot after browning the meats stovetop and used Dr Pepper baked beans. Everyone loved it! Thanks for sharing the recipe!!
Kathleen says
That’s so cool, Linda! 😀 Glad to hear it turned out great!
Laura Doak says
Made this today for guest I am having later tonight. It taste amazing!! I didn’t change a thing. I am sure they will all love it! Making cornbread to go with it. Thank you for an awesome recipe.
Kathleen says
Oooh good luck, Laura! So glad to hear you like it!