It’s meaty, filling, and super easy to make – just what you want in a hearty winter stew. Loaded with two kinds of meat, a medley of veggies, beans, corn, and a savory broth, one bowl is more than enough to get you through the day. But because it’s so wildly tasty, expect people to beg for seconds. It’s a good thing one recipe makes a whole lot! Despite its many ingredients, this stew is incredibly straightforward. Once you’ve browned the meats, you’ll just combine all the ingredients in a pot and wait as it simmers. Tasty, hearty, and more than enough to feed a crowd: this Texas cowboy stew is the perfect recipe!
What is Texas Cowboy Stew?
Texas cowboy stew is a hearty, flavor-packed soup loaded with ground beef, sausage, beans, corn, vegetables, and a tomato-based broth flavored with Southwestern spices. Complete with carbs, protein, vegetables, and fat, this Texas cowboy stew is a complete meal on its own. But that shouldn’t stop you from serving it with cornbread! These two are a match made in heaven.
Ingredients
Ground Beef – the unctuousness of the beef really gives this stew a rich and savory flavor. If you find beef too decadent, swap it for ground turkey or venison.Kielbasa – I love its firm and snappy texture and savory and smoky flavors.Garlic and Onion – aromatics. You can also use garlic and onion powders for convenience.Peeled And Diced Tomatoes – it serves as the base of the stew. There’s no need to peel and dice the tomatoes yourself. Just use canned!Potatoes – this hearty veggie bulks up the stew and makes it extra satisfying.Pinto Beans – another ingredient that makes this stew super filling. Their mildly sweet flavor and chewy and starchy textures give the dish more character as well.Corn – besides its sweetness and crunch, its bright yellow hue also adds a nice pop of color.Diced Tomatoes With Green Chile Peppers – the heat from the green chilies gives the stew an ample amount of kick. It’s a little bit fiery, but not so much so that it’ll burn your tongue. Frozen Mixed Vegetables – use a pre-prepared mixed bag – they’re a time-saver!Cumin, Chili Powder, Salt, and Pepper – the combination of spices that give this stew its signature Southwestern flavors.
Tips for the Best Stew
Let the ingredients simmer for at least one hour. That said, the longer it cooks, the deeper its flavors get.For a more concentrated flavor, use chicken broth instead of water. Veggie broth will work too but beef broth might be too rich.For a thicker broth, swap one can of diced tomatoes with tomato sauce. Just not the can with the chilies!This stew is satisfying as it is, but you can make it even more so with toppings! Garnish it with mouthwatering toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips, and guacamole.Make it extra filling by mixing it with brown rice or macaroni noodles. Or, add more root veggies, like sweet potatoes and squash.For a leaner alternative, use ground turkey or venison instead of beef. You can also replace Kielbasa with your favorite sausage.For an even meatier stew, serve it with crumbled bacon on top. Just remember to not add that until you’re ready to serve.To store, allow the stew to cool completely and place in an airtight container. It should be fine in the fridge for up to four days.
Can I make Texas Cowboy Stew in a Crockpot?
Texas cowboy stew can be cooked in a Crockpot, but you need to prep the ingredients first. Once you’ve sautéed the aromatics and browned the meat, add all the ingredients to the slow cooker and cook it on low for two hours. Don’t cook it on high because it’ll make the potatoes mushy.
More Hearty Soups and Stews
Old-Fashioned Beef StewPanera Chicken and Wild Rice SoupOld-Fashioned Ham and Bean Soup4-Ingredient Potato SoupChick-fil-A Chicken Tortilla Soup Click on a star to rate it!
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