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.
-
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
Angela Pigman says
I made a double batch as we have a large family. Oh my gracious is this our new favorite Stew!!! We all were amazed with the flavors!!! So unique and elegant to be so simple. This will make the perfect church stew for one of our meals!! So excited to make this recipe again.
Kathleen says
Angela! I’m so happy this was a hit for you and your family <3
Cheryl says
It’s in the crockpot now and looks amazing. Can’t wait for dinner this evening. Thank you for the great recipe!
Kathleen says
Thank you too, Cheryl! Enjoy your stew 🙂
thomas says
I am going to be making this very soon with venison instead of beef, also using deer sausage instead of normal. Looks amazing. Grew up eating brunswick stew and this feels very similar!
Kathleen says
Ooooh! That sounds perfect! Yup, that’s awesome. I also have Brunswick stew recipe, you can check it here (although I used chicken and pork). Enjoy!
Jordan says
This was SO yummy. I made a half batch for my husband and I and it was plenty for dinner and leftovers the next day. One of our new favorites in our house!
Kathleen says
Yaaay! I’m so happy it was a hit. Thank you for sharing your feedback 🙂
Stephanie Santiago says
I took a few liberties with this recipe. First, I cooked it up in a slow cooker for about 7 hours on low. Next, I added celery and carrots. I only used 1 kielbasa (grocery pickup shorted me on one). I substituted ground turkey (that’s what I had) and added an extra 1/2 pound to make up for the missing Kielbasa. This recipe is beyond AMAZING! This will be a staple in my kitchen this winter.
Kathleen says
Hi, Stephanie! It’s so customizable, right? Thank you for sharing your version 🙂
Denise E says
The potatoes did not cook in the 1 hour. If I make again I would precook the potatoes.
Kathleen says
Hi, Denise. That’s interesting. I haven’t encountered a potato that didn’t cook in an hour.
But precooking it is a good idea.
Thank you. Enjoy!
Joseph says
those potato. I have ad that problem the small waxy ones. couldn’t believe myself
Julie says
Simmering now. Looking forward to it!
Teri says
I was thinking of replacing the baked beans with black beans. Do you think this would work?
Kathleen says
Hi, Teri! I think that’ll work 🙂 Enjoy!
Matthew says
If you’re using glass top stove and the tall metal pot don’t bother trying to boil it just burns just add 20-30 minutes to your time or until taters are soft
Julianna says
Hi, after cooking the meat in the skillet, can I cook it all in the slow cooker?
Kathleen says
Hi, Julianna. Yes, you can. Kindly see the instructions under Crockpot Instructions. Thank you! 🙂
Tracey says
I make this ahead of time and take it when my family goes camping. It reheats nicely and warms and fills your belly!
Thanks for sharing!
Kathleen says
Hi, Tracey! Thank you for your positive feedback. I’m glad you enjoyed this stew on your camping trip! 🙂
Kaitlyn says
I made this the other night and it was sooo good! I questioned the baked beans, but all of the ingredients came together so well! I will probably be making this at least once a month during the fall and winter seasons.
Kathleen says
Hi, Kaitlyn! I’m so happy you like this stew 🙂
Jennifer says
As it’s the first fall day here in Michigan, I thought it would be the perfect day to make this stew. Everything about it sounds delish! Can’t wait to finally eat it! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Kathleen says
You’re so welcome Jennifer! I hope you enjoy <3
Ashley says
Could you use garlic coil sausage instead of kielbasa?
Kathleen says
Hi, Ashley! Yes, I think that’ll work. Let us know how it turns out. Enjoy! 🙂
Cassidy says
This has quickly become a favorite in my home. Thank you for helping a newlywed wife who is learning to cook! Super easy.
Kathleen says
Wow, that’s amazing, Cassidy! Enjoy cooking! 🙂
Brittany says
I’ve cooked this several times and froze it.
Kathleen says
That’s amazing, Brittany! It’s a very freezer-friendly meal 🙂
Dawn says
I am cooking this now! I will let you know how it works out!
I am thinking to serve with biscuits.
Kathleen says
Hi, Dawn! Enjooooy 🙂
Yes, it’s perfect with biscuits.
Let us know how it turns out <3
Kylie Gann says
Is this Gluten Free?
Kathleen says
Hi, Kylie. No, this has 3 tablespoons of flour. You can replace it or omit it to make it gluten-free.
Kelsy says
I used a cornstarch slurry instead of flour to make it GF. It turned out just fine!
Jim says
Made this for my Family Tonight with a side of dinner roles! It was amazing! WOW! This will definitely become a repeat, especially when I go to Deer Camp every fall. The Guys will love it!
Thank you for the recipe!
Kathleen says
You’re so welcome Jim! I’m happy it was a hit for you and your family!
Darlene Butler says
This is so good! Will make again, did add extra chili powder.
Kathleen says
Thank you, Darlene! I’m so happy you liked this stew!
Chantelle Bell says
Got this cooking now I’m in the UK too so it’s not something we’ll known 🙂 looking forward to trying it!
Kathleen says
Thanks, Chantelle! I hope you like this stew. Let us know how it turns out 🙂
Jan says
I’ve reviewed this recipe before and after many, many times cooking it, I thought I would just mention that we use pork and beans in it. They aren’t as sweet and the flavor is just perfect.
Kathleen says
Thanks Jan!!!