Cowboy Stew: The Ultimate Hearty One-Pot Meal

There’s just something about a big pot of stew simmering away on the stove that brings a sense of comfort and warmth. It’s like a hug in a bowl, and when it comes to hearty, stick-to-your-ribs meals, cowboy stew is an absolute winner. This dish is loaded with smoky bacon, juicy kielbasa sausage, tender ground beef, flavorful beans, sweet corn, and perfectly soft potatoes. It’s the kind of meal that feels like it was made for a crowd gathered around a campfire under the open sky—but it’s just as cozy and perfect for a family dinner at home.

Now, I’ll be the first to say that cowboy stew is not fussy. It doesn’t require fancy ingredients or complicated techniques. Instead, it’s built on simple, everyday pantry staples that come together beautifully for a rich and savory dish. The best part? You’ll only need one pot, so cleanup is a breeze. Whether you’re making this stew for a cold winter night, a lazy weekend, or a quick weeknight dinner, it’s sure to be a family favorite.

I first discovered cowboy stew during a camping trip, and let me tell you, it was love at first bite. A friend of mine threw together a bunch of ingredients—bacon, sausage, beans, and potatoes—and let it simmer over the campfire. The flavors melded perfectly, and it was everything you could want after a long day outdoors. Ever since then, it’s been a go-to recipe in my household, and I’m so excited to share it with you.

Why You’ll Love This Cowboy Stew

There are so many reasons to fall in love with this recipe. Here’s what makes cowboy stew an absolute must-try:

• Easy to Make: This recipe comes together in one big pot, saving you time and effort. You’ll brown the ingredients, simmer everything together, and let the flavors work their magic.
• Full of Flavor: Between the smoky bacon, savory sausage, and seasoned beef, every bite of this stew is bursting with flavor. The beans, corn, and potatoes soak up all that goodness, making it even better.
• Family-Friendly: This stew is a crowd-pleaser. It’s hearty, filling, and full of familiar ingredients that kids and adults alike will enjoy.
• Perfect for Meal Prep: Cowboy stew tastes even better the next day, so it’s great for leftovers. Plus, it freezes beautifully for those days when you need an easy meal on hand.
• Versatile: You can customize this recipe to suit your preferences. Want to add extra spice? Go for it! Prefer more vegetables? Toss them in!

Imagine a bowl of tender potatoes, smoky sausage, ground beef, and sweet corn, all simmered in a rich, tomato-based sauce. It’s hearty, cozy, and just the right amount of indulgent—perfect for any occasion.

Preparation Time and Servings

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Servings: 6-8 people
• Calories per Serving: Approximately 500

Ingredients

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this incredible cowboy stew. Most of these ingredients are pantry staples, so you might already have them on hand:

• 4 slices bacon, chopped (use turkey or beef bacon for a halal-friendly version)
• 2 (12-ounce) packages kielbasa sausage, cut into ½-inch slices
• 1 ½ pounds ground beef (80/20 for the best flavor)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can petite diced tomatoes, with liquid
• 2 (16-ounce) cans baked beans or ranch beans, with liquid
• 1 (7-ounce) can chopped green chilies, with liquid
• 1 (15-ounce) can sweet corn, with liquid
• 2 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cut into ½-inch cubes
• 1 cup water
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Ingredient Notes

• Bacon: Bacon adds smoky, rich flavor to the stew. If you’re making this recipe halal, replace it with beef or turkey bacon.
• Kielbasa Sausage: Kielbasa brings smoky and savory notes to the dish. You can use any type of halal-friendly smoked sausage you like.
• Ground Beef: Choose 80/20 ground beef for the perfect balance of flavor and tenderness.
• Potatoes: Russet potatoes are ideal because they hold their shape while still becoming soft and tender.
• Green Chilies: These add a subtle kick without overwhelming the dish. If you prefer more spice, you can use diced jalapeños.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these easy steps to create the most delicious cowboy stew. Don’t worry—it’s foolproof, and I’ll guide you every step of the way.

1. Cook the Bacon

• Place a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped bacon and cook until it’s browned and crispy. Stir occasionally to ensure it cooks evenly.
• Once the bacon is crispy, use a slotted spoon to transfer it to a plate lined with paper towels. This will help drain any excess grease.

Pro Tip: Don’t get rid of those bacon drippings! They’re going to add so much flavor to the stew as you cook the other ingredients.

2. Brown the Sausage

• Add the kielbasa sausage slices to the bacon drippings in the pot. Cook the sausage for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until it’s nicely browned. This helps bring out its smoky flavor.
• Remove the sausage from the pot and set it aside on the plate with the bacon.

3. Brown the Beef, Onion, and Garlic

• Add the ground beef to the pot. Break it up with a spoon or spatula and cook until it’s no longer pink. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
• Stir in the diced onion and minced garlic. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, until the onion softens and the garlic becomes fragrant.

Pro Tip: If there’s a lot of excess grease, drain some of it off—but don’t remove it all! A little bit of fat adds great flavor.

4. Season the Meat

• Sprinkle the all-purpose flour, salt, black pepper, and chili powder over the cooked beef. Stir everything together and cook for about 1 minute. The flour will help thicken the stew later.

5. Add the Remaining Ingredients

• Pour in the diced tomatoes (with their liquid), baked beans, chopped green chilies, sweet corn, and cubed potatoes.
• Add the cooked bacon, sausage, and 1 cup of water to the pot. Give everything a good stir to combine.

6. Simmer the Stew

• Bring the stew to a boil over medium-high heat. Once it’s boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover the pot.
• Let the stew simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. This will allow the flavors to meld together and the potatoes to become tender.
• If the stew thickens too much, you can add a little extra water to loosen it up.

7. Garnish and Serve

• Once the stew is done, give it one last stir and check the seasoning. Add more salt or pepper if needed.
• Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness.

And just like that, your cowboy stew is ready to serve!

How to Serve Cowboy Stew

Cowboy stew is hearty enough to be a complete meal on its own, but you can pair it with some simple sides to round things out:

• Serve it with crusty bread or warm dinner rolls to soak up all that delicious sauce.
• Pair it with a fresh green salad for a lighter contrast.
• Spoon it over steamed white rice for an extra-filling meal.

For a fun twist, try serving cowboy stew in bread bowls—just hollow out some crusty rolls and ladle the stew inside. It’s a hit with kids and adults alike!

Tips for Making the Best Cowboy Stew

1. Use Quality Sausage: Smoked kielbasa adds so much flavor to this dish, so choose a good-quality brand you enjoy.
2. Don’t Skip the Bacon: The bacon provides a rich, smoky base for the stew, so it’s worth including.
3. Cut Ingredients Evenly: Make sure the potatoes are cut into evenly sized cubes so they cook at the same rate.
4. Adjust the Spice Level: If you like things spicy, add extra chili powder or a pinch of red pepper flakes.
5. Let It Simmer: Don’t rush the cooking time! Letting the stew simmer allows the flavors to deepen and develop.

Recipe Variations

Cowboy stew is super versatile, so feel free to get creative:

• Add Vegetables: Toss in carrots, bell peppers, or green beans for extra nutrition.
• Make It Spicy: Add diced jalapeños or a few dashes of hot sauce for a spicy kick.
• Use Different Beans: Instead of baked beans, try using pinto beans, kidney beans, or black beans.
• Make It Gluten-Free: Replace the flour with cornstarch to thicken the stew.

Freezing and Storing Cowboy Stew

This stew is perfect for meal prep because it stores and reheats beautifully:

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Freeze: Let the stew cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months.
• Reheat: Warm the stew on the stovetop over medium heat, or microwave it in short bursts until heated through.

FAQs

Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
Yes! Ground turkey is a great alternative for a lighter version of the stew.

What if I don’t have kielbasa sausage?
You can substitute any smoked sausage or even chicken sausage for a similar flavor.

Can I make this stew in a slow cooker?
Absolutely! Brown the bacon, sausage, and beef first, then transfer everything to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.

Conclusion

Cowboy stew is the ultimate comfort food. It’s rich, hearty, and packed with layers of flavor from smoky bacon, savory sausage, tender beef, and creamy potatoes. Whether you’re cooking for your family or feeding a crowd, this one-pot wonder is sure to satisfy.

Give this recipe a try and let me know how it turns out! Snap a photo, share it on social media, and tag me—I love seeing your delicious creations. Enjoy!

Cowboy Stew: The Ultimate Hearty One-Pot Meal

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• Author: TAYLOR HARRISON
• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
• Diet: Halal

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Description

Cowboy Stew is a hearty, flavor-packed one-pot meal made with smoky sausage, ground beef, tender potatoes, beans, and sweet corn. This easy, family-friendly recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or cozy weekends.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 slices bacon, chopped
• 2 (12-ounce) packages kielbasa sausage, sliced
• 1 ½ pounds ground beef
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can petite diced tomatoes, with liquid
• 2 (16-ounce) cans baked beans, with liquid
• 1 (7-ounce) can chopped green chilies, with liquid
• 1 (15-ounce) can sweet corn, with liquid
• 2 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced into ½-inch cubes
• 1 cup water
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (garnish)

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Instructions

• Cook bacon in a large pot until crispy. Remove and set aside.
• Brown sausage in bacon drippings. Remove and set aside with bacon.
• Add ground beef, onion, and garlic to the pot. Cook until the beef is no longer pink. Drain excess grease.
• Sprinkle flour, salt, pepper, and chili powder over the beef. Stir and cook for 1 minute.
• Add diced tomatoes, baked beans, green chilies, sweet corn, potatoes, water, bacon, and sausage. Stir to combine.
• Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
• Garnish with parsley and serve hot.

Notes

• For extra spice, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or jalapeños.
• If the stew thickens too much, add a bit of water.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American