Description
This hearty Cowboy Stew recipe combines smoky bacon, savory kielbasa sausage, and tender ground beef with a medley of vegetables and beans for a comforting, flavorful meal perfect for gatherings or family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat & Protein
- 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
Seasonings & Others
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook Bacon: In a large pot, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until it is brown and crispy. Once cooked, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat.
- Brown Sausage: Using the pot with bacon drippings, brown the kielbasa sausage slices on both sides until they develop a nice sear. Remove the sausage from the pot and set aside.
- Cook Beef: In the same pot, add the ground beef along with diced onion and minced garlic. Cook until the beef is browned and the onions have softened. Sprinkle the all-purpose flour, salt, black pepper, and chili powder over the mixture and cook for an additional minute, stirring to combine.
- Add Ingredients: Pour in the petite diced tomatoes with liquid, baked or ranch beans with liquid, chopped green chilies with liquid, sweet corn with liquid, and add the peeled and cubed russet potatoes. Return the cooked bacon and kielbasa sausage to the pot. Pour in 1 cup of water and stir all ingredients together.
- Simmer Stew: Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Let it simmer gently for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Add more water during cooking if needed to reach your preferred consistency.
- Garnish and Serve: Once the stew is cooked and flavorful, garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving. Enjoy the rich, hearty flavors of this classic Cowboy Stew.
Notes
- For a thicker stew, reduce the amount of added water or cook uncovered for the last 10-15 minutes.
- You can substitute kielbasa with smoked sausage of your choice.
- Adjust chili powder according to your spice preference.
- Leftover stew tastes even better the next day as flavors meld together.
- Serve with crusty bread or cornbread for a filling meal.
