Description
This hearty Cowboy Stew combines crispy bacon, savory kielbasa sausage, and flavorful ground beef with a medley of beans, vegetables, and spices. Slow simmered to perfection, this comforting stew is perfect for a filling dinner that packs a punch of smoky, spicy, and savory flavors in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Meats
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 2 (12-ounce) packages kielbasa sausage, cut into 1/2 inch slices
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef, 80/20
Vegetables & Beans
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can petite diced tomatoes, with liquid
- 2 (16-ounce) cans baked beans or ranch beans, with liquid
- 1 (7-ounce) can chopped green chilies, with liquid
- 1 (15-ounce) can sweet corn, with liquid
- 2 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
Seasonings & Others
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook Bacon: In a large pot, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until it is brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess fat.
- Brown Sausage: Add the kielbasa sausage slices to the pot with the bacon drippings. Brown the sausage on both sides, adjusting the heat to prevent burning of the browned bits (fond) at the bottom of the pot. Remove the sausage to the plate with the bacon and set aside.
- Brown Beef and Aromatics: Add the ground beef, diced onion, and minced garlic to the pot. Cook until the beef is browned and no longer pink. Sprinkle the all-purpose flour, salt, black pepper, and chili powder over the mixture. Stir well and cook for an additional 1 minute to combine flavors and thicken the base.
- Combine Ingredients and Simmer: Add the diced tomatoes with liquid, baked beans or ranch beans with liquid, chopped green chilies with liquid, sweet corn with liquid, cubed potatoes, cooked bacon, sausage, and 1 cup of water to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat immediately to low. Cover and let simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Garnish and Adjust Consistency: After simmering, check the stew’s thickness. If it’s too thick, add additional water to reach desired consistency. Stir in the chopped parsley as a fresh garnish before serving.
Notes
- Use sweeter baked beans or savory ranch beans depending on your flavor preference.
- Adjust chili powder quantity to your desired spice level.
- Adding potatoes gives the stew extra heartiness; you can substitute with other root vegetables if preferred.
- Make sure not to burn the fond when browning sausage to avoid bitter flavors.
- This stew tastes even better the next day as flavors meld together.
Keywords: cowboy stew, beef stew, kielbasa recipe, hearty stew, bacon stew, one-pot meal, comfort food