Cowboy Stew

Name: Cowboy Stew
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef; 12 oz kielbasa ((chopped into 1" rounds)); 1 medium onion ((chopped)); 2 cloves garlic ((minced)); 2 tsp salt; 1 pack taco seasoning; 2.5 oz bagged real bacon pieces; 1 lb new potatoes ((cut into bite-sized pieces)); 10 oz Rotel diced tomatoes & green chilies; 15.25 oz canned corn ((drained)); 15 oz canned chili beans; 2 cups beef broth

This Cowboy Stew is a hearty, meaty soup that's on the table in under an hour! Get big flavor with ground beef, sausage, bacon, corn, and potatoes in a rich tomato broth.

a large pot of cowboy stew, showing potatoes, kielbasa sausage, ground beef, and corn in a hearty soup.

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Cowboy Stew: What You Need to Know

I couldn't hold off on making fall soups any longer! Today, we're diving into fall cooking with a fun twist on my Cowboy Casserole that's super simple to whip up for dinner on a cool night.

This Cowboy Stew is loaded with everything you need for a well-rounded dinner: beef, corn, sausage, bacon, and potatoes, with a hearty soup base that makes it so comforting.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Method: Stovetop

Servings: 10-12 (great for a large crowd!)

Big Bold Flavor: By using a few simple shortcut ingredients, you get a rich and smoky soup without pulling a dozen different spice jars out of your pantry.

Budget and Pantry-Friendly: We're using kitchen staples like canned corn, beans, and ground beef, making it a super easy meal to throw together when you haven't made it to the grocery store.

One-Pot Simplicity: Everything cooks in just one single pot - which means you won't be stuck facing a mountain of dishes after dinner!

Grab a big soup pot and let's get going!

Ingredient Notes

ingredients for cowboy stew, including ground beef, kielbasa sausage, potatoes, canned veggies, and taco seasoning.

(See recipe card at the bottom of this post for full list and exact ingredient measurements.)

Ground Beef (80/20 or 85/15): This is the flavor base of Cowboy Stew. The higher fat content adds some richness, but be sure to drain excess grease after browning so the stew doesn't turn oily.
Kielbasa or Smoked Sausage: Slice into 1-inch rounds so they holds their shape while simmering. This adds a great smoky layer that balances out the beef and gives the stew its hearty flavor.
Taco Seasoning: One standard packet is all you need. It replaces a full spice cabinet and brings built-in chili powder, cumin, garlic, and paprika.
Real Bacon Pieces: Use shelf-stable real bacon pieces (not the crunchy bacon bits). You'll find these in the salad topper section.
New Potatoes: Cut into bite-sized pieces (think around 1") so they cook evenly. No peeling needed - the thin skins help the potatoes hold their shape and thicken the stew as they simmer.
Canned Corn (drained): This adds sweetness and texture. Always drain before adding so you don't water down the broth.
Canned Chili Beans (undrained): Don't drain these! The sauce they're packed in helps thicken the stew and builds a great flavor base and thicken your stew a little bit.

Additions & Substitutions

Swap the Sausage: Use Andouille for a spicy kick in your Cowboy Stew, or smoked turkey sausage to keep the soup lighter.
Add More Veggies: Toss in frozen peas or a drained can of carrots or green beans during the last 10 minutes.
Extra Beans: Stir in a can of rinsed black or kidney beans alongside the chili beans to make it even heartier.
Turn Up the Heat: Use hot Rotel, a spicy taco seasoning, or a few dashes of hot sauce.
Potato Sub: Swap the new potatoes for cubed russets or Yukon Golds - just chop them into 1-inch pieces.
Make a creamy version by adding an 8 ounce block of softened cream cheese to the pot as you start the simmering process.

How to Make Cowboy Stew

cooking kielbasa sausage, ground beef, and onion in a large pot.

adding taco seasoning and salt to the meat mixture in the pot.

Brown the Meats and Onion: Set a large stockpot over medium heat. Cook the ground beef, chopped kielbasa, and diced onion for 3 to 4 minutes, until the beef is browned and onions are translucent. Make sure to break up the beef as it cooks, then carefully drain off any excess grease.
Wake Up the Spices: Stir the minced garlic into the warm meat for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Sprinkle the taco seasoning packet and salt evenly over the mixture, stirring well to coat the meat and let the spices warm up.

added corn, bacon pieces, rotel, and chili beans to the pot.

cowboy stew, with potatoes added, simmering in a large pot.

Add Remaining Ingredients: Add the bacon pieces, chopped new potatoes, Rotel, drained corn, undrained chili beans, and beef broth. Stir well, scraping the bottom of the pot to lift any browned bits for extra flavor.
Simmer: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat. Cook uncovered for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are fork-tender.
- Pro-Tip: For a thicker broth, gently smash a few cooked potato pieces against the side of the pot with your spoon during the last 5 minutes, then stir them back into the liquid.
Garnish and Serve: Ladle the hot stew into bowls and top immediately with shredded cheddar cheese so it melts completely. Serve with a side of warm cornbread or tortilla chips for dipping!

Alternative Cooking Methods

Crock Pot Cowboy Stew

Using the Crock Pot is great for busy days when you want to walk in the door to a fully cooked meal!

Brown the ground beef, kielbasa, and onion in a skillet on your stovetop over medium heat, then drain the grease.
Transfer the mixture to your slow cooker insert and stir in the minced garlic, taco seasoning, and salt.
Add the bacon pieces, chopped potatoes, Rotel, drained corn, chili beans, and beef broth.
Cover and cook on Low for 6 to 8 hours (or on High for 3 to 4 hours), until the potatoes are completely tender.

Instant Pot Cowboy Stew

If you are running short on time, your pressure cooker can speed up the process a ton.

Set your Instant Pot to the Sauté function and brown the ground beef, kielbasa, and onion together, draining any excess grease.
Stir in the garlic, taco seasoning, and salt for 30 seconds.
Turn off the Sauté function and stir in the remaining ingredients (bacon, potatoes, Rotel, corn, beans, and broth), making sure to scrape any browned bits off the bottom of the liner.
Secure the lid, seal the valve, and cook on Manual/Pressure Cook on High for 8 minutes.
Allow the pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes before switching the valve to a quick release for any remaining steam.

Leftovers & Storage

Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. There are some big flavors in this stew - they will seep into other foods if not properly sealed! Enjoy this soup within 3-4 days of making it.

Reheating: I recommend reheating single servings in the microwave for about a minute.

Freezing: This is a great freezer meal! Cook as directed, allow it to cool, and store in a gallon-sized freezer bag for up to 6 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator when you're ready to serve.

a close up of cowboy stew with a wooden spoon in the pot, showing potatoes, corn, and sausage.

How to Serve Cowboy Stew

This stew is already hearty enough to stand on its own, but the right toppings and sides take it from "dinner" to "this is what we're making again next week."

I usually keep it simple with a big spoonful of sour cream or a handful of shredded cheddar on top (or go crazy and do both!). It melts right into the hot stew and makes everything a little richer and creamier.

If you want something to scoop with or stretch the meal a bit, go with warm Mexican cornbread or a pile of tortilla chips on the side. Both hold up well and give it that perfect carb-y element!

Leslie's Helpful Tips & Tricks

Give It a Good Stir: Potatoes and chili beans release starches while they simmer. Stir the pot completely from the bottom every 10 minutes or so to keep anything from sticking and scorching.
Give the potatoes time to do their thing: Don't rush the simmer step. The stew is best when the potatoes are fork-tender and have had a little extra simmer time to help naturally thicken the broth.
Go easy on extra salt at the end: Between the bacon, sausage, beans, and seasoning packet, salt levels can vary a lot by brand. Always taste first before adding more.
Let it rest before serving: A 10-minute rest off the heat helps everything thicken a little and lets the flavors settle.

a spoonful of cowboy stew, including potatoes, corn, and kielbasa.

FAQs & Troubleshooting

Yes, absolutely! If you are in a pinch, grab a bag of frozen cubed potatoes and dump them straight into the pot. Since they are already partially cooked, you can reduce your simmering time by about 15 minutes - just cook until the potatoes are completely heated through and soft. And canned sliced or diced potatoes work, too!

The easiest way to thicken this stew naturally is to use the back of your spoon to mash a few of the cooked potato halves directly against the inside wall of the pot, then stir them back in. The natural starches will give you a thicker texture without changing the flavor or messing with a flour roux.

Because the chili beans and potatoes release a lot of starches as they cook, they love to settle at the bottom of the stockpot. To prevent scorching, keep your heat at a medium-low simmer and give the pot a stir from the bottom up every 10-ish minutes.

This stew works really well with lean wild game! If you use ground venison or elk, just add a tiny splash of olive oil or a pat of butter to the pot when browning the meat, since game is a lot leaner than ground beef.

This is one of those magical dishes that actually tastes twice as good the next day! You can cook the stew a day in advance, let it cool, and store it in the fridge. When you're ready to serve, just reheat it gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a little splash of beef broth if the potatoes soaked up too much liquid.

Yes, this recipe doubles so easily! Just make sure you are using a really big (8-quart or bigger) stockpot or a large Dutch oven to give everything enough room to combine. Because it holds its heat so well, it's a favorite for potlucks or game days.

More Hearty Soups

marry me chicken soup

crack chicken chili

bowl of zuppa toscana with kale, potatoes, and sausage in a creamy soup.

instant pot zuppa toscana

bowl of crockpot corn chowder topped with bacon, cheese, green onions.

slow cooker corn chowder

I hope Cowboy stew gets tons of use in your fall meal plan! If you give it a try, I want to hear what you think - leave a review below. And make sure to follow along for the latest from LL Eats!