Texas Cowboy Stew
Texas Cowboy Stew is a comforting, hearty dish that combines ground beef, smoked sausage, bacon, and a mix of vegetables in a rich broth, perfect for chilly evenings and family gatherings.
Ingredients
Meat
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 12 ounces smoked sausage, sliced
- 8 slices bacon, chopped
Vegetables
- 4 small Yukon potatoes, diced
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 10 ounces mixed vegetables, frozen
Canned Goods
- 15 ounces corn, rinsed & drained
- 15 ounces pinto beans, rinsed & drained
- 10 ounces diced tomatoes and green chilis, rinsed & drained
- 32 ounces beef broth or substitute with water
Other Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour or substitute with a small can of tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Preparation
- Prepare all your ingredients by chopping the bacon, dicing the onion and potatoes, and mincing the garlic. Rinse and drain your beans and corn.
Cooking
- In a large pot, heat over medium-high heat and add the chopped bacon. Cook until crispy and golden brown, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon, leaving the fat in the pot.
- Add the sliced smoked sausage to the rendered fat and sauté for about 3 to 4 minutes until browned, then set aside with the bacon.
- Add the lean ground beef to the pot, seasoning generously with salt and black pepper. Cook until browned, then remove and set aside.
- Add diced onion and the can of diced tomatoes and green chilis to the pot, seasoning with salt and pepper. Sauté for about 5 minutes until onions are translucent.
- Add minced garlic and sauté for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the sautéed vegetables and cook for 30 seconds to eliminate the raw taste.
- Add back the sausage and ground beef, mixing well.
- Stir in the corn, pinto beans, frozen mixed vegetables, and diced potatoes. Pour in the beef broth and mix everything together.
- Add Worcestershire sauce and apple cider vinegar. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Cover the pot and let it simmer for about an hour, stirring occasionally and tasting for seasoning.
- Before serving, adjust seasoning and add crispy bacon just before serving.
Serving
- Ladle the stew into bowls and enjoy hot with your favorite bread or crackers.
Notes
For a vegetarian option, substitute the meat with hearty vegetables or lentils and use vegetable broth. For a spicy kick, add chopped jalapeños or hot sauce.