Texas-Style Cowboy Stew
This Texas Cowboy Stew Recipe is going to win the hearts of your cowboys - young and old! It's part chili, part stew, and entirely delicious! This hearty meal packs in SO MUCH flavor without being overly spicy so it's perfect for the whole family!
Ingredients
- 4 slices raw bacon, chopped into small pieces can substitute 1/2 cup real bacon bits
- 2 tbsp olive oil optional, see Note 1
- 1/2 cup onion, chopped
- 1 lb. lean ground beef
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (more to taste) can sub chili powder
- 2 12 oz. packages smoked kielbasa sausage, cut into 1/4" inch slices
- 2 16 oz. cans pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 10 oz. cans diced tomatoes with green chilies (such as Rotel) drain one can, leave juices in the other can
- 1 15 oz. can whole-kernel corn can also use about a cup of frozen corn
- 1 15 oz. can sweet peas can also use about a cup of frozen peas
- 2 cups Russet potatoes, peeled and diced into small chunks about 1 1/2-2 large potatoes, Yukon golds work too
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tbsp dried basil
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon optional, see Note 2
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika optional, see Note 2
Instructions
- Cook Bacon: In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium low heat, add bacon pieces. Cook 4-5 minutes until the pieces are just crisp. Remove all but about one tablespoon of the bacon drippings and discard--keep bacon pieces and remaining bacon grease in the pan...this makes for a great first layer of flavor!If you are using pre-cooked bacon bits, warm olive oil in the pan. Then add onion and bacon bits and cook until onion is slightly soft (3-4 minutes), then move to Step 3.
- Cook Onions: To the cooked bacon bits, add onion. Cook 2-3 minutes, stirring often, until onions begin to soften.
- Add Beef: To the pan, add ground beef, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper. Cook beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Pro Tip: Use a potato masher to break up the meat when it's about halfway cooked--it gets it broken up nice and fine!Note: If there is an excessive amount of grease, feel free to drain some of it off. I like using lean ground beef to avoid this :)
- Add & Simmer: When beef is cooked through, add sliced Kielbasa, beans, diced tomatoes, corn, peas, diced potatoes, and beef broth. Mix well. Bring to a boil then turn heat to low and simmer, uncovered for about 40 minutes, stirring every so often.
- Finishing Touches: Turn off the heat and add basil, ground cinnamon (optional), and smoked paprika (optional). Stir well. Ladle into bowls and serve right away!
Notes
Note 1: If you are cooking your bacon from raw, there is no olive oil needed--your will have bacon grease! If you are using precooked bacon pieces/bits, then you will need a bit of olive oil.
Note 2: The ground cinnamon and smoked paprika are optional (but HIGHLY recommended!!) ...you can't taste these spices in the stew outright. However--both spices bring a warm smoky depth to the dish that will leave people wondering what made it SO GOOD!!
Crockpot Instructions: Prepare the recipe to Step 3 (brown beef/bacon/onions). Then, transfer to your crock pot and add all remaining ingredients. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours.
Nutrition is only an estimate based on the Very Well Fit Nutrition Calculator
Nutrition
Calories: 814kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 53gFat: 50gSaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 170mgSodium: 2338mgPotassium: 453mgFiber: 5.8gSugar: 7gCalcium: 162mgIron: 5mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!