What is the best type of sausage to use in Cowboy Stew?

Beef kielbasa or smoked sausage works best in Cowboy Stew for its bold, smoky flavor and firm texture. However, you can use turkey or chicken sausage if you prefer a leaner option. Make sure it’s fully cooked before adding to the stew.

Can I make Cowboy Stew in a slow cooker or Instant Pot?

Yes! Cowboy Stew is easily adaptable to both. For the slow cooker, sauté the bacon, onions, garlic, and beef beforehand, then combine all ingredients and cook on low for 6–8 hours. For the Instant Pot, use the sauté function for initial cooking, then pressure cook on high for 5 minutes with a quick release.

How can I thicken or thin out the stew?

To thicken Cowboy Stew, reduce the amount of broth or simmer uncovered to let liquid evaporate. For a thinner consistency, simply add more broth or water to transform it into a cowboy soup. You can also mash some of the beans or potatoes to naturally thicken the broth.

Cowboy Stew – Best One-Pot Dinner Recipe

Name: Cowboy Stew
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 5 slices bacon, chopped; 1 large yellow onion, diced; 4 large garlic cloves, minced; 1 pound lean ground beef (80/20 or 90/10); 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1 tablespoon chili powder; 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin; 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika; 3–4 cups beef broth; 1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed; 1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed; 1 (15-ounce) can sweet yellow corn, drained; 1 (4-ounce) can mild green chiles; 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes; 3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced; 1 (14-ounce) package beef kielbasa or smoked sausage, sliced

Description

This hearty Cowboy Stew is a flavorful one-pot meal made with three types of meat—ground beef, bacon, and sausage—plus potatoes, beans, corn, and tomatoes simmered in a Tex-Mex spiced broth. Perfect for cold nights or feeding a hungry crowd, it’s a comforting and protein-packed dish that’s easy to customize and prepare.

Ingredients

Scale

5 slices bacon, chopped
1 large yellow onion, diced
4 large garlic cloves, minced
1 pound lean ground beef (80/20 or 90/10)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
3–4 cups beef broth
1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15-ounce) can sweet yellow corn, drained
1 (4-ounce) can mild green chiles
1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes
3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
1 (14-ounce) package beef kielbasa or smoked sausage, sliced

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Instructions

In a large Dutch oven or heavy pot, cook chopped bacon over medium-high heat until crispy. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside on paper towels. Leave 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the pot.
Add diced onions to the pot and sauté over medium heat until softened, about 8 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
Add ground beef, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned. Drain any excess fat.
Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and beef broth. Mix to combine.
Add potatoes, kidney beans, pinto beans, corn, green chiles, diced tomatoes, sliced sausage, and cooked bacon. Stir well to combine.
Bring the stew to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 20–25 minutes or until potatoes are tender and flavors have melded.
Adjust seasoning if needed and serve hot with optional toppings like cheese, sour cream, or jalapeños.

Notes

For a spicier version, add chipotle peppers or red pepper flakes.
To make a thinner, soup-like version, increase broth to 5 cups.
Potatoes don’t freeze well, so omit if planning to freeze the stew.
Use low-sodium broth and tomatoes to better control salt levels.
Swap beef with ground turkey or plant-based meat for a leaner or vegetarian version.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl (1/8 of recipe)
Calories: 218
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 633mg
Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 5g
Trans Fat: 0.2g
Carbohydrates: 17g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 17g
Cholesterol: 44mg