If you’re craving a rich, satisfying, and flavor-packed meal, Cowboy Stew delivers comfort in every spoonful. This rustic dish blends the best parts of chili and beef stew into one hearty pot. Packed with bacon, ground beef, smoky kielbasa, beans, tomatoes, and tender potatoes, it’s the ultimate family-style dinner that warms the soul.
A Flavorful Fusion of Chili and Stew
Cowboy Stew shines because it layers flavors at every step. Bacon adds a smoky base. Kielbasa infuses the pot with extra depth. Ground beef creates a classic stew heartiness. Warm spices build heat without overpowering the dish. Vegetables and beans add texture and richness. Everything simmers slowly for a meal that tastes like it cooked all day.
Why Cowboy Stew Is Perfect for Any Night
This one-pot recipe works for busy weeknights, potlucks, or cold-weather dinners. It reheats beautifully and feeds a crowd with ease. The stew thickens as it simmers, creating a velvety, flavorful broth. Potatoes become tender and soak up the spices. Each bite offers smoky, savory, and slightly spicy notes that keep you coming back.
Ingredients That Build Big Western Flavor
Every element contributes to the stew’s bold profile. Bacon offers crisp, smoky richness. Kielbasa intensifies the savory depth. Ground beef brings classic comfort. Chili powder and cumin warm the dish. Beans and tomatoes create a hearty, stew-like base. Potatoes complete the rustic feel. Fresh parsley adds a bright pop at the end.
Easy Step-by-Step Cowboy Stew Preparation
You start by crisping the bacon and browning the sausage. The browned bits create huge flavor. Next, you cook the ground beef with onion and garlic. Flour helps thicken the broth. Beans, tomatoes, and potatoes simmer together until tender. The long cook pulls everything together into a rich, filling stew.
Serving Tips for the Perfect Bowl
Serve Cowboy Stew piping hot and top it with fresh parsley. You can pair it with cornbread, biscuits, or crusty bread. A sprinkle of cheese or a dollop of sour cream works well if you prefer extra creaminess. This stew is even better the next day as the flavors deepen.
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Cowboy Stew: A Bold, Hearty One-Pot Classic
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Yield: 8–10 servings 1x
Description
A hearty, flavorful Cowboy Stew made with bacon, kielbasa, beef, beans, tomatoes, and potatoes for the perfect chili-stew fusion.
Ingredients
6 slices bacon, chopped
1 (12–14 ounce) package kielbasa, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
1 lb ground beef (80/20)
1 yellow onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 cups low sodium chicken broth
2 (15-ounce) cans ranch-style or chili beans, with liquid
1 (15-ounce) can sweet corn, drained
1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilis, with liquid
2 russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
Fresh chopped parsley for serving
Instructions
1. Cook bacon in a Dutch oven until crisp, then remove to a plate.
2. Brown kielbasa in bacon drippings and set aside.
3. Leave 1 tablespoon fat in the pot and discard the rest.
4. Add ground beef, onion, and garlic and cook until lightly browned.
5. Stir in flour, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper until fragrant.
6. Add chicken broth, beans, corn, tomatoes, and potatoes.
7. Bring to a boil, then return bacon and sausage to the pot.
8. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 1 hour or until potatoes are tender.
9. Serve hot with chopped parsley.
Notes
This stew tastes even better the next day.
Freezes well—store in airtight containers.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Stew
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
