Print

Cowboy Stew (Hearty One-Pot Comfort Food Classic)

Cowboy Stew (Hearty One-Pot Comfort Food Classic)
Print Recipe

Dinner’s on! Cowboy Stew is a hearty, stick-to-your-ribs one-pot meal packed with bold flavor and comfort. This rustic stew combines three kinds of meat—bacon, kielbasa sausage, and ground beef—with beans, potatoes, corn, and tomatoes for a rich, satisfying dish that’s perfect for feeding a crowd. It’s cozy, filling, and incredibly easy to make, making it ideal for family dinners, cold nights, or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 4 slices bacon, chopped

  • 2 (12-oz) packages kielbasa sausage, sliced into ½-inch rounds

  • 1½ pounds ground beef (80/20)

  • 1 medium onion, diced

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

  • 1½ teaspoons salt

  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

  • 1 teaspoon chili powder

  • 1 (14.5-oz) can petite diced tomatoes, with liquid

  • 2 (16-oz) cans baked beans (sweeter) or ranch beans (more savory), with liquid

  • 1 (7-oz) can chopped green chilies, with liquid

  • 1 (15-oz) can sweet corn, with liquid

  • 2 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cubed (½-inch pieces)

  • 1 cup water

  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  • In a large heavy pot or Dutch oven, cook bacon over medium heat until browned and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.

  • Add kielbasa sausage to the bacon drippings and brown on both sides. Remove and set aside with the bacon.

  • Add ground beef, onion, and garlic to the pot. Cook until beef is no longer pink, breaking it up as it cooks.

  • Sprinkle flour, salt, pepper, and chili powder over the beef. Stir well and cook for 1 minute to remove the raw flour taste.

  • Add diced tomatoes, baked beans, green chilies, corn, potatoes, cooked bacon, sausage, and water. Stir to combine.

  • Bring to a boil, then immediately reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

  • Garnish with chopped parsley before serving. Add additional water if the stew becomes too thick.

Notes

  • Adjust thickness: Add more water or broth if you prefer a soupier stew.

  • Spice level: Increase chili powder or add cayenne for extra heat.

  • Bean swap: Pinto beans or kidney beans work well if baked beans aren’t available.

  • Slow cooker: Brown meats first, then cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours.

  • Leftovers: Cowboy Stew tastes even better the next day as flavors deepen.

Find it online: https://biteseason.com/cowboy-stew-hearty-one-pot-comfort-food-classic/