Description
Cowboy Stew is a hearty, flavorful dish loaded with bacon, kielbasa sausage, ground beef, vegetables, and beans. This comforting stew simmers slowly to meld smoky, savory, and spicy flavors, making it perfect for a satisfying family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meats
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 2 (12-ounce) packages kielbasa sausage, cut into 1/2 inch slices
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef, 80/20
Vegetables & Beans
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 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 1/2 inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Spices & Others
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Cook Bacon: In a large pot, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until it becomes brown and crispy. Once cooked, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat.
- Brown Sausage: Using the bacon drippings left in the pot, brown the kielbasa sausage slices on both sides. After they are nicely browned, remove the sausage and set it aside.
- Cook Beef: Add the ground beef, diced onion, and minced garlic to the pot. Cook until the beef is browned and the onions are translucent. Sprinkle the all-purpose flour, salt, black pepper, and chili powder over the beef mixture and continue cooking for about 1 minute to combine the flavors.
- Add Ingredients: Pour in the can of diced tomatoes with liquid, baked beans with liquid, chopped green chilies with liquid, sweet corn with liquid, and add the cubed potatoes. Return the cooked bacon and kielbasa sausage back to the pot. Add 1 cup of water and stir everything together.
- Simmer Stew: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover with a lid. Let the stew simmer gently for 1 hour, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add more water during cooking if a thinner consistency is desired.
- Garnish and Serve: Once the stew has thickened and the potatoes are tender, garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve hot for a hearty and flavorful meal.
Notes
- Use 80/20 ground beef for best flavor and moisture.
- Can substitute ranch beans for baked beans depending on preferred sweetness and seasoning.
- Adjust chili powder amount to control spiciness.
- For a thicker stew, reduce the added water or cook uncovered for the last 15 minutes.
- This stew reheats well and flavors improve the next day.
- Can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
