Description
Cowboy Stew is a hearty and comforting one-pot dish packed with protein, veggies, and bold flavors. Loaded with bacon, kielbasa sausage, ground beef, beans, potatoes, and a blend of flavorful seasonings, this stew is perfect for a satisfying dinner or to warm you up on chilly days. It’s easy to make and stores well, making it an excellent choice for meal prep or leftovers.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Proteins
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 14 ounces kielbasa sausage, sliced (1 package)
- 1 pound 90% lean ground beef
Vegetables
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 3 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Canned Goods
- 15 ounces canned kidney beans, drained and rinsed (1 can)
- 15 ounces canned black beans, drained and rinsed (1 can)
- 14.5 ounces petite diced tomatoes (1 can)
- 15 ounces canned whole-kernel corn, drained (1 can)
- 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
Seasonings
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the bacon
Heat a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped bacon and fry it until crisp. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and place it on a paper towel-lined plate. Leave one tablespoon of bacon grease in the pot, and drain off any excess grease. - Cook the sausage
Into the same pot, add the sliced kielbasa sausage. Cook until browned on each side. Remove and set it aside with the cooked bacon. - Cook the beef and vegetables
Add the ground beef, onion, bell pepper, and garlic to the pot. Use a wooden spoon to break up the ground beef while cooking. Cook until the beef is fully browned and the onion becomes translucent. - Add dry ingredients
Sprinkle the flour, chili powder, salt, and pepper over the mixture. Stir it for one minute or until the flour is fully absorbed and no dry patches remain. - Add remaining ingredients
Stir in the kidney beans, black beans, petite diced tomatoes, corn, potatoes, beef broth, cooked bacon, and kielbasa sausage. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover the pot and cook for 20-25 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. - Garnish and serve
Sprinkle chopped parsley over the cowboy stew for garnish, if desired, and serve hot.
Notes
- For a spicy kick, consider adding diced jalapeños or swapping the petite diced tomatoes for a can of diced tomatoes with green chilies.
- Storage Tips: Store cowboy stew in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months—perfect for meal prepping.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 960mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
