Cowboy Stew

Also try cowboy baked beans, slow cooker beef stew, cowboy burgers, kielbasa potato soup, cattle drive casserole or beef Bourguignon.

Cowboy Stew Ingredients

A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

Bacon, kielbasa and ground beef: All three go into this stew. Cook them separately so the bacon can crisp, the kielbasa can brown and the ground beef can cook properly before everything comes back together.
Ranch-style and black beans: Both go into the pot with their liquid, which adds flavor and helps make up the broth.
Potatoes: Russet potatoes soften nicely as the stew simmers. Cut them into fairly small, even cubes so they’re tender by the time the stew is ready.
Corn and mixed vegetables: The canned corn goes in with its liquid, while frozen mixed vegetables make it easy to add several more vegetables without extra prep.
Chili powder and cumin: These give the broth a little warmth and complement the beef, beans and tomatoes without turning the stew into chili.

How to Make Cowboy Stew

For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.

Cook the bacon: Cook the bacon in a large pot or Dutch oven until browned and crisp, then transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate.
Brown the kielbasa: Cook the kielbasa in the bacon drippings until browned on both sides, then transfer it to the plate with the bacon.
Cook the beef and vegetables: Remove the excess bacon grease, brown the ground beef, then add the bell peppers, onion and garlic and cook until the onion begins to soften.
Add the flour: Sprinkle the flour over the beef and vegetables and cook for 1 minute, stirring so it doesn’t burn.
Build the stew: Return the bacon and kielbasa to the pot, then add the broth, potatoes, frozen vegetables, tomatoes and chilies, beans, corn and seasonings.
Simmer: Bring to a boil, reduce to a low simmer and cover. Cook for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are tender.

Substitutions and Variations

Change the sausage: Swap the kielbasa for smoked sausage, hot links or Italian sausage depending on the flavor you want.
Try different beans: Pinto, kidney or great northern beans can replace either of the beans in the recipe.
Change the vegetables: Use a different frozen vegetable blend or add vegetables you already have on hand.
Adjust the heat: Add more or less chili powder and diced green chilies depending on how spicy you want the stew.
Make it gluten-free: Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour and check the labels on the broth, sausage and other packaged ingredients.

Serving Suggestions

Appetizers: Start this hearty meal with a relatively light appetizer, perhaps dirty martini shrimp.
Side dishes: Cornbread or one of these bread basket recipes would be so good with cowboy stew. Or you could leave the potatoes out of the stew and instead serve it with red skin mashed potatoes.
Desserts: Finish the meal with homemade vanilla cookies or strawberry tiramisu.

How to Store

Store: Let the stew cool, then transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Freeze: Freeze in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
Thaw: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Reheat: Warm gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. Add a splash of beef broth if the stew has thickened in the refrigerator.