Cowboy Stew
This post may contain affiliate links, read our disclosure policy.
Cowboy stew is a hearty dish filled with ground beef, smoked sausage, potatoes, beans, & mixed vegetables – perfect for a chilly night.
Cooker cowboy stew is a go-to weeknight meal for our family because it is so easy to throw together and the flavors are incredible. We like making this with a loaf of sourdough bread, glazed carrots, and pineapple delight for dessert.
Save this recipe!
Save this recipe! Enter your email below and we’ll shoot it straight to ya!
I consent to receive email from this site 💌
Cowboy Stew
Cowboy Stew
Click the button above to save this recipe!
Why you’ll love this recipe!
📌 Comes together in the crock pot in just 15 minutes.
📌 Versatile! Change up the ingredients to your liking.
📌 Throw it in the crockpot in the morning and it’ll be ready when you get home.
Cowboy Stew Ingredients
- Ground beef – Lean ground beef.
- Sausage – Smoked sausage, sliced into bite size pieces.
- Garlic – Fresh cloves, chopped.
- Onion – Small onion, chopped.
- Potatoes – Baby potatoes, halved.
- Beans – Pinto beans, undrained.
- Corn – We used canned corn but you can also use frozen.
- Tomatoes – Can of diced tomatoes with green chiles (like Rotel).
- Vegetables – Package of frozen mixed vegetables.
- Chicken stock – Homemade or store-bought. Broth can be used too.
- Seasonings – Ground cumin, chili powder, salt, pepper.
How do you make cowboy stew? (step-by-step directions)
⭐ First, in a medium skillet, brown the ground beef and drain any grease.
⭐ Next, add cooked ground beef, smoked sausage, garlic, onion, potatoes, beans, corn, tomatoes, frozen veggies, chicken stock and seasonings to a your cooking pot.
⭐ Then, cover and cook on until potatoes are fork tender.
⭐ Last, add salt and pepper to taste.
Scroll down to the printable recipe card toward the bottom of this article for ingredient measurements and detailed cooking instructions.
Preparation
Can I make cowboy stew ahead of time?
You can prep this stew ahead of time or make it ahead of time for serving later. Mix all ingredients in the crock pot and store the covered crock pot in the fridge up to 1 day in advance until ready to cook.
You can also cook this stew ahead of time, store in the fridge or freezer until it’s needed and reheat in the crock pot or on the stove to serve.
What type of protein does slow cooker cowboy stew call for?
We used ground beef and smoked sausage but you can change it up to your liking. Swap for ground sausage, ground turkey, venison sausage or any combination of meat you have on hand. Or simply use two pounds of ground beef.
Stove top cowboy stew
This recipe can be made on the stove top in a large heavy bottom stock pot or soup pot. Brown and drain the beef, then add all remaining ingredients to the pot.
Bring your ingredients to a simmer, then cover and lower the heat. Continue to cook until potatoes are fork tender, and finish with salt and pepper to taste.
Slow cooker cowboy stew
This recipe can be made in a slow cooker or crock pot as an easy set it and forget it meal. Brown and drain the beef, then add all the ingredients to the slow cooker.
Cover and cook on low or high (depending on when you wan to eat), until potatoes are fork tender. Finish with salt and pepper to taste.
Instant pot cowboy stew
If you’re in a rush, try making this in the instant pot electric pressure cooker! Use the sauté mode to brown your beef. Drain the beef, then add all remaining ingredients to the instant pot.
Cover and set to sealing. Cook on manual/high power, then allow a ten minute natural release. Finish with salt and pepper to taste.
Scroll down to the printable recipe card toward the bottom of this article for ingredient measurements and detailed cooking instructions.
Storage and leftovers
How long does cowboy stew last?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove.
Can I freeze cowboy stew?
Yes, this stew freezes really well. Cool the soup completely and store in an airtight freezer safe container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat in the crock pot or on the stove top.
Tips and tricks
✅ Serve this as a stew or try serving over rice or noodles.
✅ Substitute any kind of bean for the pinto beans, if desired, like great northern, black beans or kidney.
✅ Add in some red pepper flakes or cayenne to kick up the heat a bit!
Frequently asked questions
Can I change the vegetables added to this recipe?
Yes! This is such a versatile recipe that can be switched up to anyone’s liking. Swap out corn for frozen peas or baby potatoes for sweet potatoes. However you’d like to throw it together!
Is there a low-sodium option for Cowboy Stew?
Absolutely! To reduce sodium content, opt for low-sodium or no-salt-added versions of canned ingredients such as beans, corn, and diced tomatoes. Additionally, control the salt added during cooking to meet your dietary preferences.
Can I use different types of potatoes in Cowboy Stew?
Absolutely! While the recipe calls for baby potatoes, you can use other varieties like Yukon Gold or red potatoes. Adjust the size of the potato pieces based on your preference, keeping in mind that cooking times may vary slightly.
What to enjoy with cowboy stew (serving suggestions)
Cowboy stew is a hearty and filling stew perfect for a lazy weekend or a crazy weeknight. We like serving ours with some French bread or sourdough bread for dipping, instant pot rice, and impossible pie for dessert.
More delicious soup and stew recipes
- Guinness stew
- Butternut squash soup
- Beef stew
- Chicken gnocchi soup
- Dill pickle soup
- Beer cheese soup
- Lasagna soup
- Creamy asparagus soup
- See all our easy soup and stew recipes!
Tools we love
- 7 Quart Crock Pot Slow Cooker – I’ve had this slow cooker since my husband and I were married in 2003!
- Santuko knife – My favorite knife for cutting vegetables! This knife is the perfect size and shape, handles great, and is super reasonably priced. Also, I just love that it’s fun and colorful!
Get our FREE Easy Casseroles Ebook!
Follow us below!Use #mamalovesfood on Instagram!
How to Make Cowboy Stew
Cowboy Stew
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef browned and drained
- 1 package smoked sausage (16 ounces) sliced into bite size pieces
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 small onion diced
- 1 pound baby potatoes halved
- 1 can pinto beans (15 ounces) undrained
- 1 can sweet corn kernels (15 ounces)
- 1 can diced tomatoes with green chiles (14.5 ounces)
- 1 package frozen mixed vegetables (10-12 ounces)
- 4 cups chicken stock or broth
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
STOVE TOP DIRECTIONS:
- Add browned ground beef, smoked sausage, garlic, onion, potatoes, beans, corn, tomatoes, frozen veggies, chicken stock, cumin, and chili powder to a large heavy bottom cooking pot.
- Bring to a simmer uncovered on high heat, then reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer covered for an additional 15 - 20 minutes, or until potatoes are fork tender.
- Stir and add salt and pepper to taste.
SLOW COOKER DIRECTIONS:
- Add browned ground beef, smoked sausage, garlic, onion, potatoes, beans, corn, tomatoes, frozen veggies, chicken stock, cumin, and chili powder to the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6 - 8 hours.
- Stir and add salt and pepper to taste.
INSTANT POT DIRECTIONS:
- Add browned ground beef, smoked sausage, garlic, onion, potatoes, beans, corn, tomatoes, frozen veggies, chicken stock, cumin, and chili powder to instant pot.
- Cover, set to sealing, and cook on manual (high pressure) for 5 minutes. Allow a natural pressure release for about 10 minutes before releasing any remaining pressure.
- Stir and add salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
- Cook time - Most electric pressure cookers take about 10 - 15 minutes to come to pressure. The inputted cook time will begin after the pot is pressurized.
- Natural pressure release - Hit cancel and walk away from the pot. It will slowly naturally depressurize. Depending on the contents this can take anywhere between 10 - 20 minutes for a full natural release.
- Quick release - Turn the dial at the top of your pot to allow the pressure to release quickly. Always use a long handled utensil for this to avoid steam burns. Do not quick release under cabinets or you may cause steam/water damage. If there is sputtering, quickly turn dial back to 'sealing' and allow it to naturally depressurize a few minutes before trying again.
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?
Share it with me on Instagram and use the hashtag #mamalovesfood and follow on Pinterest for even more!
⭐Save This Recipe⭐ Send it to your email!
[ninja_form id=5]I consent to receive email from this site 💌
Cowboy Stew
Click the button above to save this recipe!
Get Our Free Easy Casseroles ebook!
Recipes in your inbox
(your email will never be sold!)
Let’s Connect!
Tag #mamalovesfood on Instagram!
We loved this… so easy to prepare & very tasty.
I love how chunky and meaty this stew is. This is the kind of meal that makes you know you ate something when you’re done. We loved it.
Talk about your all time comfort meal! This recipe kicks butt!
This is my kind of comfort meal! So tasty and very easy to make!
We have a lot of ground beef in the freezer to use up and I’m glad I found this soup recipe! My husband loved it and has been eating the leftovers for lunch this week. Will make a lot this year when it gets colder outside!