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Cowboy Stew

Featured in: Satisfying Hearty Mains

One-pot stew with bacon, ground beef, smoked sausage, potatoes, beans, and corn simmered in seasoned broth. Takes 1 hour, serves 8 people.

Tags: #beef #bacon #sausage #potatoes #slow-cooker

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Clare Greco
Updated on Thu, 05 Jun 2025 14:17:23 GMT
Cowboy Stew
Cowboy Stew | recipesbyclare.com
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Cowboy Stew fills one Dutch oven with crisp bacon, ground beef, smoked sausage, potatoes, tomatoes, black beans, kidney beans, and corn. Chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika give the broth a warm, savory character while three distinct meats make each bowl substantial.

The recipe yields exactly 8 bowls in 60 minutes, divided into 30 minutes of preparation and 30 minutes of cooking. Simmer the potatoes uncovered for 25 minutes, then add the drained beans and corn for only the final 5 minutes.

Cowboy Stew Ingredients

Four bacon slices, onion, garlic, ground beef, smoked sausage, spices, tomatoes, two potatoes, broth, black beans, kidney beans, corn, and parsley
Four bacon slices, onion, garlic, ground beef, smoked sausage, spices, tomatoes, two potatoes, broth, black beans, kidney beans, corn, and parsley | Recipes by Clare
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Use 4 chopped bacon slices, 1 cup chopped white onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 pound lean ground beef, and 1 pound smoked sausage cut into medallions. Season with 2 teaspoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon each cumin, smoked paprika, and kosher salt, plus ½ teaspoon black pepper.

Add one undrained 15-ounce can diced tomatoes, 2 large peeled and diced Russet potatoes, 3 cups beef broth, and separate drained 15-ounce cans of black beans, red kidney beans, and corn. Chopped parsley is optional.

If you enjoy this recipe, you may also like Philly Cheesesteak Pasta.

How to Make Cowboy Stew

Four stages showing chopped bacon cooked and aromatics softened, beef and sausage seasoned with tomatoes, potatoes simmered before beans and corn, and eight stew bowls
Four stages showing chopped bacon cooked and aromatics softened, beef and sausage seasoned with tomatoes, potatoes simmered before beans and corn, and eight stew bowls | Recipes by Clare
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  1. Cook chopped bacon over medium-high in a Dutch oven until crisp. Remove it and reserve 1 tablespoon fat.
  2. Cook onion in the fat for 4 minutes; add garlic for 30–60 seconds.
  3. Brown and crumble beef until no longer pink. Drain, then return beef and onion.
  4. Add sausage, bacon, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper.
  5. Add tomatoes with juices and scrape the pot.
  6. Add potatoes and broth, boil, reduce to a steady simmer, and cook uncovered 25 minutes.
  7. Add black beans, kidney beans, and corn for 5 minutes.
  8. Adjust seasoning and ladle into 8 bowls, optionally with parsley.

For food-safety guidance while cooking, use the USDA safe minimum temperature chart.

Cook Four Chopped Bacon Slices

Soften Onion, Then Add Garlic

Brown One Pound Lean Ground Beef

Add Smoked Sausage, Bacon, and Spices

Deglaze with Undrained Tomatoes

Simmer Two Diced Potatoes

Warm Beans and Corn for Five Minutes

Finished Cowboy Stew with beef, sausage, bacon, potatoes, black beans, kidney beans, corn, and tomatoes
Finished Cowboy Stew with beef, sausage, bacon, potatoes, black beans, kidney beans, corn, and tomatoes | recipesbyclare.com
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Taste and Portion Eight Bowls

Keep the Stew Texture Balanced

Store and Reheat Leftovers

Conclusion

Cook 4 chopped bacon slices, reserve 1 tablespoon fat, soften onion 4 minutes, and add garlic for 30–60 seconds. Brown beef and drain. Add sausage, bacon, seasonings, and undrained tomatoes. Add 2 diced potatoes and 3 cups broth; simmer uncovered 25 minutes. Stir in drained black beans, kidney beans, and corn for 5 minutes, then serve 8 bowls.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How many bowls does Cowboy Stew make?

The full Dutch oven yields exactly 8 bowls of stew.

→ Should the diced tomatoes be drained?

No. Add the entire 15-ounce can with its juices to deglaze the pot.

→ How long do the potatoes simmer?

Simmer the two diced Russets uncovered for 25 minutes, until fork-tender.

→ When are beans and corn added?

Add drained black beans, kidney beans, and corn for only the final 5 minutes.

4.60 from 189 votes

Cowboy Stew

Preparation Time:
30 Minutes
Cook Time:
30 Minutes
Total Cooking Time:
60 Minutes
Number of Servings:
8
Cowboy Stew
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Hearty one-pot stew with ground beef, smoked sausage, bacon, beans, and potatoes. Ultimate comfort food for cold days.

Ingredients You'll Need

  • Meat and aromatics

  • Seasonings

  • Vegetables and liquid

  • For garnish

How to Make It

1.

1. Cook the bacon: In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, cook chopped bacon over medium-high heat until crispy. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate and reserve 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the pot.

2.

2. Sauté aromatics: Add chopped onion to the pot with reserved bacon fat and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 30-60 seconds until fragrant.

3.

3. Brown the ground beef: Add ground beef to the pot and break it into crumbles with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess grease and return beef and onions to the pot.

4.

4. Add sausage and seasonings: Add sliced smoked sausage, cooked bacon, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together until well combined.

5.

5. Add tomatoes and deglaze: Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juices and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon.

6.

6. Add potatoes and broth: Add diced potatoes and beef broth. Stir well and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to maintain a steady simmer.

7.

7. Simmer until tender: Let the stew simmer uncovered for 25 minutes, or until potatoes are tender and easily pierced with a fork.

8.

8. Add beans and corn: Stir in black beans, kidney beans, and corn. Heat for another 5 minutes until everything is warmed through. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

9.

9. Serve hot: Ladle into bowls and serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.

Extra Information

  1. Russet potatoes are recommended as they hold up well during cooking and help thicken the stew naturally.
  2. For slow cooker: Cook on low 5-6 hours or high 3-4 hours. Add beans and corn in the last hour.
  3. For Instant Pot: Sauté bacon and beef, then pressure cook on high for 5 minutes. Quick release, then add beans and corn.
  4. Fire roasted diced tomatoes add extra smoky flavor if available.
  5. This hearty stew is perfect for feeding a crowd and tastes even better the next day.

Essential Tools

  • Dutch oven or large heavy-bottomed pot
  • Wooden spoon
  • Paper towels
  • Can opener

Allergy Warnings

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • May contain soy from processed sausage

Nutrition Details (Per Portion)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 387
  • Total Fat: 23 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 21 g
  • Protein: 24 g