Texas-Style Cowboy Stew Recipe | Get On My Plate (2024)

• Think ahead: Prepare a batch of this stew, and freeze half. You’ll be so happy in a few weeks when you have dinner ready to go!

• Reheating: To reheat, add stew to a pan and warm over medium-high heat. Add a splash of beef broth (or even chicken broth) to thin it out a bit.

Why is it called Texas Cowboy Stew?

Can I make this Texas cowboy stew in the crock pot?

Yes! 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.

What can you serve with cowboy stew?

You can’t be a cowboy without some cornbread! Try my Sweet Cornbread recipe here. This garlic bread is also perfect for dunking into your stew. And of course, a crisp, simple salad is always great.

TRY THESE NEXT…

• 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

• 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!

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