Texas Cowboy Stew is a hearty and delicious dish that combines the flavors of beef, bacon, beans, and vegetables into a warm and comforting meal. This stew is perfect for chilly evenings or when you want to feed a crowd. Packed with protein and flavor, Texas Cowboy Stew is sure to become a favorite in your home.
Why Make This Recipe
Making Texas Cowboy Stew is a great choice for several reasons. First, it’s easy to prepare and doesn’t require fancy cooking techniques. Second, it’s a one-pot meal that brings together a mix of ingredients, making it simple to clean up afterward. Lastly, this stew is filled with wholesome ingredients that provide comfort and nourishment, making it perfect for family dinners or gatherings with friends.
How to Make Texas Cowboy Stew
To make Texas Cowboy Stew, you’ll start by cooking bacon for a rich flavor base. Then, you’ll layer in ground beef, sausage, beans, and vegetables, allowing everything to simmer together. The end result is a thick and hearty stew full of flavors that will warm you up.
Ingredients
- 6 slices bacon
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 cup diced onion (about half a large onion)
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic (about 2 cloves)
- 14 ounces smoked sausage (sliced into ¼-inch thick rounds)
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes (not drained)
- 1 (15.5-ounce) can pinto beans (drained and rinsed)
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans (drained and rinsed)
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chiles (not drained)
- 1 (15-ounce) can whole kernel corn (drained)
- 3 cups peeled and diced Yukon Gold potatoes (about 2-3 medium potatoes cut into 1-inch pieces)
- 2 ½-3 cups beef broth
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- Salt (to taste)
- Ground black pepper (to taste)
Directions
- Start by dicing 6 slices of bacon into small pieces and add them to a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Cook until the bacon is crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and let it drain on paper towels.
- Drain most of the grease from the pot, then add 1 pound of lean ground beef. Cook and crumble the beef until there is no pink left, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add 1 cup of diced onion, 2 teaspoons of minced garlic, and 14 ounces of smoked sausage to the pot. Continue cooking until the onion is translucent and the sausage is browned.
- Lower the heat to medium and add the diced tomatoes, pinto beans, black beans, diced tomatoes and green chiles, corn, Yukon Gold potatoes, beef broth, cumin, chili powder, and the reserved bacon to the pot. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Once the stew is bubbling, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 45 minutes to an hour, stirring occasionally.
How to Serve Texas Cowboy Stew
Serve Texas Cowboy Stew hot in bowls. You can top it with shredded cheese, sour cream, or fresh cilantro for added flavor. It goes well with cornbread or a simple green salad.
How to Store Texas Cowboy Stew
To store leftover Texas Cowboy Stew, let it cool completely and then transfer it to an airtight container. It can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze the stew for up to 3 months. Just make sure to let it thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Tips to Make Texas Cowboy Stew
- Use your favorite type of sausage for different flavors.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers or carrots for extra nutrition.
- Adjust the spices according to your heat preference: add more chili powder for a spicier stew.
Variation
Try swapping the ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option. You can also make it vegetarian by excluding the meat and using vegetable broth and extra beans.
FAQs
1. Can I make Texas Cowboy Stew in a slow cooker?
Yes, you can cook all the ingredients in a slow cooker after browning the bacon, ground beef, and sausage. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
2. What can I serve with Texas Cowboy Stew?
Texas Cowboy Stew is great on its own, but you can serve it with cornbread, rice, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
3. How can I make Texas Cowboy Stew spicier?
Add diced jalapeños or more chili powder to the stew. You can also serve it with hot sauce on the side for those who want extra heat.
Texas Cowboy Stew
Ingredients
Meats
- 6 slices bacon Diced into small pieces
- 1 pound lean ground beef Cooked and crumbled
- 14 ounces smoked sausage Sliced into ¼-inch thick rounds
Vegetables
- 1 cup diced onion About half a large onion
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic About 2 cloves
- 3 cups peeled and diced Yukon Gold potatoes About 2-3 medium potatoes cut into 1-inch pieces
Canned Goods
- 1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes Not drained
- 1 15.5-ounce can pinto beans Drained and rinsed
- 1 15-ounce can black beans Drained and rinsed
- 1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes and green chiles Not drained
- 1 15-ounce can whole kernel corn Drained
Broth and Spices
- 2.5-3 cups beef broth
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- Salt To taste
- Ground black pepper To taste
Instructions
Cooking the Bacon
- Dice 6 slices of bacon into small pieces and add them to a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Cook until the bacon is crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and let it drain on paper towels.
Cooking the Meat
- Drain most of the grease from the pot, then add 1 pound of lean ground beef. Cook and crumble the beef until there is no pink left, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add 1 cup of diced onion, 2 teaspoons of minced garlic, and 14 ounces of smoked sausage to the pot. Continue cooking until the onion is translucent and the sausage is browned.
Combining Ingredients
- Lower the heat to medium and add the diced tomatoes, pinto beans, black beans, diced tomatoes and green chiles, corn, Yukon Gold potatoes, beef broth, cumin, chili powder, and the reserved bacon to the pot. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Simmering Stew
- Once the stew is bubbling, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 45 minutes to an hour, stirring occasionally.
