Description
Texas Cowboy Stew is a hearty, protein-packed stew featuring crispy bacon, lean ground beef, smoked sausage, beans, and tender potatoes simmered in a flavorful broth seasoned with cumin and chili powder. This rustic, comforting dish brings bold Texan flavors to your table, perfect for a filling family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein
- 6 slices bacon
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 14 ounces smoked sausage, sliced into ¼-inch thick rounds
Vegetables and Beans
- 1 cup diced onion (about half a large onion)
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic (about 2 cloves)
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes (not drained)
- 1 (15.5-ounce) can pinto beans (drained and rinsed)
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans (drained and rinsed)
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chiles (not drained)
- 1 (15-ounce) can whole kernel corn (drained)
- 3 cups peeled and diced Yukon Gold potatoes (about 2–3 medium potatoes cut into 1-inch pieces)
Liquids and Seasonings
- 2 ½ to 3 cups beef broth
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- Salt, to taste
- Ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook bacon: Dice the bacon into small pieces. In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add the diced bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon onto paper towels to drain. Carefully drain most of the bacon grease from the pot, leaving a small amount for flavor.
- Brown ground beef and sausage: Add the lean ground beef to the pot and cook, breaking it apart, until no pink remains, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in diced onion, minced garlic, and sliced smoked sausage. Continue cooking until the onion becomes translucent and the sausage is browned, about 4-5 minutes.
- Add remaining ingredients: Reduce heat to medium. To the pot, add diced tomatoes (with liquid), pinto beans, black beans, diced tomatoes with green chiles (with liquid), whole kernel corn (drained), peeled and diced Yukon Gold potatoes, beef broth, cumin, chili powder, and the reserved crisp bacon. Season with salt and ground black pepper to taste, stirring to combine everything evenly.
- Simmer the stew: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover the pot and let the stew simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally. The potatoes should be tender and the flavors well blended.
Notes
- Adjust the beef broth quantity depending on how thick or soupy you prefer the stew.
- You can substitute smoked sausage with your favorite smoked kielbasa or chorizo for variation.
- For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or hot sauce while simmering.
- Leftovers reheat well and flavors deepen after a day.
- This stew freezes nicely for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Stew
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Texan, American
Keywords: Texas Cowboy Stew, beef stew, bacon stew, smoked sausage stew, hearty stew, bean stew, cowboy recipe
