Cowboy Stew

Amethyst · November 30, 2025, 11:38pm

Cowboy Stew

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients:

6 Slices of bacon, chopped
1 onion, large, diced
4 Cloves of garlic, minced
¼ Cup all-purpose flour
18 Ounces kielbasa, cut into ¼-inch slices
2 Pounds ground beef, lean
5 Cups beef broth, more as needed/desired
2 russet potatoes, medium, peeled and cut into ½-inch cubes
15 Ounces canned corn, kernels with liquid
1 Teaspoon ground cumin
12 Ounces frozen mixed vegetables
15 Ounces canned ranch-style beans, with liquid
½ Teaspoon garlic powder
10 Ounces canned diced tomatoes and green chilies, canned
1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
1 green bell pepper, seeded and diced
15 Ounces black beans, canned with liquid
2 Teaspoons chili powder
Salt and black pepper, to taste
parsley, fresh for optional garnish

Directions:

Heat a large pot over medium-high heat.

Add the bacon and cook until browned and crispy. Transfer to a plate lined with a paper towel and set aside.

Cook the kielbasa sausage in the same pot until it’s browned on both sides. Transfer to the same plate with the bacon and set aside.

Remove the excess bacon grease from the pot. Then add the ground beef. Break it into smaller pieces using a spatula or wooden spoon and cook until no longer pink.

Add the bell peppers, onions, and garlic, and sauté for about 4 minutes or until the onions soften and begin to go translucent.

Sprinkle in the flour and stir to combine.

Keep cooking and stirring for a minute. Don’t let the flour burn.

Next, add the bacon and kielbasa back into the pot and then add the broth, potatoes, frozen vegetables, diced tomatoes, beans, sweet corn, garlic powder, green chilies, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper to the pot. Stir to combine.

Bring the cowboy stew to a boil and then turn down the heat to a low simmer.

Cover with a lid and simmer for 30 to 40 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.

Stir the stew occasionally and add some more broth if the liquid gets too thick.

Ladle the stew into bowls and serve with cornbread, dinner rolls, or biscuits.

Serve garnished with fresh chopped parsley if liked.

Notes:

Cooking the flour: Don’t let the flour burn, or you’ll have to start your cowboy stew again! Keep stirring and don’t use too high a heat.

Crispy bacon: If you prefer your bacon crispy, don’t add it back into the pot. Instead, reserve it until serving the stew and crumble it on top.

Let it cool: Let the cowboy stew cool completely before storing; otherwise, the steam will condense in the container, and this will drip back into the stew and make it watery.

More serving ideas: A dollop of sour cream is good with this stew, or you could add shredded cheese or swap the chopped parsley for chopped cilantro.

Substitutions and Variations:

Gluten-free option: If you want a gluten-free version, use gluten-free flour and broth, and check the kielbasa sausage ingredients.

Bacon: Any type of bacon works in this cowboy stew. You could even use beef or turkey bacon.

Kielbasa: Use hot links, sweet Italian sausage, smoked sausage, or any sliced sausage.

Ground beef: Try ground pork or ground turkey for a different flavor.

Frozen mixed vegetables: Any vegetables will work, or, if preferred, you can use fresh vegetables, in which case cook them when you sauté the onions. A mixture of frozen corn, carrots, and peas is always good.

Canned corn: Use canned whole kernel corn, fresh, or frozen corn.

Beans: Kidney beans, great northern beans, or baked beans are some other bean options to consider, or you could use canned pinto beans with chilies in.

Less or more spicy: Adjust the amount of chilies and chili powder depending on how spicy you like it.

How to Store Classic Cowboy Stew:

Store: Let the stew cool completely and then keep leftover cowboy stew in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eat within 3 or 4 days.

Freeze: You can freeze it in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

Thaw: Defrost it in the refrigerator overnight.

Reheat: You can warm it back up in a pan on the stove or in the microwave.

Texas Cowboy Stew FAQs

How can I thicken cowboy stew?

It will thicken as it cooks and as it’s sitting, but if you want a thicker, gravy-like consistency, mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of water and stir it into the stew, then simmer for a few minutes.

How can I thin the stew?

Mix in some more beef broth when making the stew and/or when reheating leftover cowboy stew. If you don’t have any more broth, just add a splash of water instead.

Nutritional Facts:

Recipe courtesy of XOXO Bella.com