Texas Cowboy Stew

Our delicious Texas cowboy stew is a hearty and flavorful dish featuring beef smoked sausage, lean ground beef, russet potatoes, pinto beans, and tomatoes for a tangy and spicy profile.

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Table of Contents

Texas Cowboy Stew Ingredients
Substitutions and Additions
How To Make This Texas Cowboy Stew Recipe
How To Serve
Storage
Why We Love This Recipe
Frequently Asked Questions
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Experience the taste of the wild west with our Texas cowboy stew recipe. This flavorful concoction of beef, beans, mouth-watering tomato sauce, and spices is a meal that’s as hearty as it is delicious.

overhead shot of Texas Cowboy Stew in a bowl with a wooden spoon

Texas Cowboy Stew Ingredients

Texas Cowboy Stew raw ingredients that are labeled

The Texas cowboy stew features beef smoked sausage as the star ingredient, adding a rich, smoky flavor to the dish.

It includes lean ground beef for substance and protein, while russet potatoes contribute a comforting touch.

Pinto beans add a creamy texture and earthy flavor, being a staple in Texan cuisine. Rotel diced tomatoes & green chilies provide a tangy, spicy element that complements the other ingredients.

You’ll need:

12 ounces of beef smoked sausage, cut into ¼-inch thick slices (Hillshire Farms brand)
1 pound of lean ground beef
1½ cups of diced yellow onion
1 tablespoon of minced garlic
3 cups of diced russet potato (1-inch pieces from 2 large peeled potatoes)
2 cups of beef broth
1½ cups of frozen sweet yellow corn
1½ cups of frozen peas & carrots medley blend
2 (15.5-ounce) cans of pinto beans with the liquids
14.5-ounce can of stewed tomatoes
10-ounce can of original Rotel diced tomatoes & green chilies
2 tablespoons of chili powder
1 teaspoon of ground cumin
1 teaspoon of smoked paprika
1 teaspoon of salt
½ teaspoon of black pepper

Substitutions and Additions

BEEF SMOKED SAUSAGE: If you prefer a different type of sausage, feel free to substitute. Andouille sausage or kielbasa sausage would both work well in this recipe.

LEAN GROUND BEEF: You could use ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option. If you’re vegetarian, you could substitute the ground meat with a plant-based alternative or add extra beans for protein.

RUSSET POTATOES: If you don’t have russet potatoes on hand, you can use other types of potatoes. Yukon golds or red potatoes would both work well.

PINTO BEANS: If you’re not a fan of pinto beans, you can substitute them with kidney beans, black beans, or even chickpeas. Just keep in mind that this may slightly alter the flavor of the stew.

ROTEL TOMATOES: If you’re sensitive to heat, you can use regular diced tomatoes instead. If you like your stew extra spicy, consider adding a diced jalapeno or two.

If you like a little extra heat, you can substitute the original Rotel tomatoes for a can of hot. You can also add ⅛-¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the spice blend.

VEGETABLES: You can substitute the frozen corn and frozen peas & carrots for a bag of mixed vegetables if you want to keep it simple.

How To Make This Texas Cowboy Stew Recipe

Making our Texas cowboy stew is a straightforward process that involves a few key steps. Here’s how to bring this hearty, flavorful dish to life:

STEP ONE: Add the sliced sausage to a stock pot (7-8 quarts) on medium-high heat. Cook the sausage for 5-6 minutes or until the edges start to crisp and the fat renders.

Transfer the cooked sausage pieces to a paper towel-lined plate to allow all the excess fat to drain, and set aside.

STEP TWO: Add the lean ground beef, diced yellow onion, and minced garlic to the hot stock pot.

Cook and brown the ground beef for 5-6 minutes or until no pink remains and the onions are tender. Drain any excess fat from the pot.

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

I use the liquids from the canned pinto beans because this liquid helps to thicken the broth for this stew slightly.

If you do not want to add the liquids, you can drain them, but I suggest not rinsing the beans.

beef, onion, and garlic added to the hot stock pot

STEP THREE: Add the cooked beef smoked sausage back to the pot, with the ground beef, along with the diced russet potatoes, beef broth, frozen sweet corn, frozen peas & carrots, pinto beans, stewed tomatoes, original Rotel diced tomatoes, chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.

PRO TIP:

If your stewed tomatoes are in really big chunks, you can use a wooden spoon to break the large tomato chunks into smaller pieces. This is a personal preference.

add back the sausage to the pot along with the other ingredients

STEP FOUR: Bring the Texas cowboy stew to a boil, then cover and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 1 hour or until the potatoes are fork-tender.

Keep the lid just barely cracked open to allow the excess steam to escape the pot.

How To Serve

Our Texas cowboy stew is a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some suggestions:

Serve this thick stew as a main course, with a side of cornbread or crusty bread for dipping. The hearty ingredients and robust flavors make it a satisfying meal on its own.

For a more filling meal, serve the stew over a bed of rice. The rice will absorb the flavorful broth and complement the other ingredients.

For a lighter meal, serve the stew with a tomato cucumber salad. The fresh, crisp flavors of the salad will balance out the hearty, rich flavors of the stew.

Consider offering a variety of toppings that guests can add to their stew, such as shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped fresh cilantro, or sliced green onions. This allows each person to customize their bowl of stew to their liking.

Our hamburger stew and crockpot beef stew are also hearty and filling recipes loaded with delicious ingredients.

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Storage

Our easy cowboy stew recipe is just as delicious the next day, making it a great make-ahead meal. Here’s how to store it:

MAKE AHEAD: If you want to make this hearty stew ahead of time, simply follow the recipe as directed.

Once the stew is cooked, allow it to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Store the container in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve the stew.

IN THE FRIDGE: The stew can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Be sure to keep it in an airtight container to maintain its freshness and prevent it from absorbing the flavors of other foods in the fridge.

IN THE FREEZER: If you want to store the stew for a longer period, you can freeze it. Transfer the cooled stew to freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 2 months.

Be sure to leave some space at the top of the container, as the stew will expand as it freezes.

REHEATING: When you’re ready to eat the stew, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. Then, reheat it in a pot over medium-low heat until it’s warmed through.

If you’re reheating a single serving, you can use the microwave. Simply transfer the stew to a microwave-safe dish and heat it in 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval, until it’s hot.

Why We Love This Recipe

Our Texas cowboy stew is a dish that’s close to our hearts, and here’s why:

FLAVOR: This beef stew is packed with robust flavors. The smoky sausage, hearty ground beef, and a blend of spices create a rich, savory broth that’s simply irresistible.

EASY TO MAKE: Despite its complex flavors, this stew is surprisingly easy to make. It’s a one-pot meal, which means you’ll have fewer dishes to clean up afterward.

COMFORT: There’s something incredibly comforting about a hot bowl of stew. It’s the kind of meal that warms you from the inside out, making it perfect for cold winter days.

Our Texas cowboy stew is a hearty, flavorful dish that’s perfect for any occasion. The robust flavors of the beef smoked sausage, ground beef, and spices, combined with the hearty vegetables and beans, create a stew that’s the perfect comfort food for the whole family.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different type of sausage for this recipe?

You can substitute the beef smoked sausage with another type of sausage like andouille or kielbasa.

Can I make this stew vegetarian?

You can substitute the meat with a plant-based alternative or add extra beans for protein.

Can I make this stew spicier?

You can add a diced jalapeno or two, or use hot Rotel diced tomatoes & green chilies instead of the original.

Can I use canned vegetables instead of frozen?

You can use canned vegetables, but you may need to adjust the cooking time as canned vegetables are already cooked.

Can I add other vegetables to this stew?

You can add other vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini to this old-fashioned cowboy stew. Just keep in mind that this may alter the flavor of the stew.

Can I make this stew in a slow cooker?

You can make this stew in a slow cooker. Just brown the sausage and ground beef in a pan before adding them to the slow cooker.

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Texas Cowboy Stew

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Our delicious Texas cowboy stew is a hearty and flavorful dish featuring beef smoked sausage, lean ground beef, russet potatoes, pinto beans, and tomatoes for a tangy and spicy profile.

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 1

Total Time 1 20

Servings

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Ingredients

12 ounces beef smoked sausage, cut into ¼-inch thick slices (Hillshire Farms brand)
1 pound lean ground beef
1½ cups diced yellow onion
1 tablespoon minced garlic
3 cups diced russet potato (1-inch pieces from 2 large peeled potatoes)
2 cups beef broth
1½ cups frozen sweet yellow corn
1½ cups frozen peas & carrots medley blend
31 ounces pinto beans with the liquids
14.5 ounces stewed tomatoes
10 ounces original Rotel diced tomatoes & green chilies
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Add the sliced beef smoked sausage to a stock pot (7-8 quarts) on medium-high heat. Cook the sausage for 5-6 minutes or until the edges start to crisp and the fat renders. Transfer the cooked sausage pieces to a paper towel-lined plate to allow all the excess fat to drain, and set aside.
Add the lean ground beef, diced yellow onion, and minced garlic to the hot stock pot. Cook and brown the ground beef for 5-6 minutes or until no pink remains and the onions are tender. Drain any excess fat from the pot.
Add the cooked beef smoked sausage back to the pot, with the ground beef, along with the diced russet potatoes, beef broth, frozen sweet corn, frozen peas & carrots, pinto beans, stewed tomatoes, original Rotel diced tomatoes, chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.
Bring the Texas cowboy stew to a boil, then cover and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 1 hour or until the potatoes are fork-tender. Keep the lid just barely cracked open to allow the excess steam to escape the pot.

Notes

I use the liquids from the canned pinto beans because this liquid helps to thicken the broth for this stew slightly. If you do not want to add the liquids, you can drain them, but I suggest not rinsing the beans.

If your stewed tomatoes are in really big chunks, you can use a wooden spoon to break the large tomato chunks into smaller pieces. This is a personal preference.

Nutrition

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This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

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Texas Cowboy Stew

Texas Cowboy Stew Ingredients

Substitutions and Additions

How To Make This Texas Cowboy Stew Recipe

How To Serve