Crockpot Cowboy Stew is a hearty and flavorful meal that is great for chilly days. Full of beef, potatoes, and beans, all slow-cooked in a flavorful tomato sauce, this meal will have your family saying Yeehaw!
Jump to:
- What makes this recipe irresistible
- What you’ll need: ingredients
- Creative variations to try
- Step-by-step instructions
- Watch and learn: recipe video
- Essential tools for this recipe
- Frequently asked questions (FAQ’s)
- Deb’s tips for great stew
- How to store leftovers
- More recipes you’ll love
- Pairings: what to serve with
- Crockpot Cowboy Stew
What makes this recipe irresistible
I have made this stew three times now and every time it was a hit! I've made it for Dan and I, it was a hit at our family reunion and freezes great for meal-planning. It's a cozy, heart-warming soup.
This easy recipe only requires about 15 minutes of prep time, and then the slow cooker does the rest of the work! This means that this soup is great for busy weeknights when you want to come home to a simple and satisfying meal.
What you’ll need: ingredients
Please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for the exact measurements.
- I prefer a lean ground beef or at least a 85/15 mix. It's less greasy but still has plenty of flavor.
- Canned or frozen corn can be used for this recipe.
- This recipe calls for pinto beans, but you can substitute with black beans or kidney beans if you'd prefer.
Creative variations to try
- Not a fan of spice? Use less chili powder.
- Want more heat? Add some sliced jalapenos, red pepper flakes, or even a sprinkle of cayenne pepper to your beefy stew.
- You can also add a touch of sweetness by adding a tablespoon of honey or brown sugar.
- Swap out the ground beef, and use stew meat or chuck steak instead. However, don't cook the beef in the skillet until it is all the way cooked, just sear it on all sides before adding it to the crock pot.
Step-by-step instructions
This is an overview; for detailed instructions, scroll down to the bottom! Click on each photo to enlarge the photos for clarification.
#1 Brown the ground beef and onions.
#2 Add to crockpot with corn, garlic, potatoes, beans, kielbasa.
#3 Top with Rotel, tomato sauce and broth.
#4 Top with seasoning, mix together well, cover and cook.
Watch and learn: recipe video
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Essential tools for this recipe
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- large skillet
- slow cooker
- souper cubes - are great for freezing and storing the stew.
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Frequently asked questions (FAQ’s)
Yes, it is possible to overcook the stew, so make sure to check it at the 6-hour mark so that your potatoes do not become mush.
To get the most tender and flavorful beef, I always recommend that you cook the crockpot cowboy soup on low heat.
Deb’s tips for great stew
You can save time in the morning by cooking the ground beef and onions the night before. Just store the cooked beef in the fridge and then add all the ingredients to the slow cooker on your way out the door in the morning.
- If you are using beef with a higher fat content, I recommend that you drain it well before you add it to the slow cooker so that your stew isn't overly greasy.
- I think this stew tastes even better the next day, so feel free to make it ahead or use it for meal prep!
How to store leftovers
Refrigerate - Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. If you manage to have leftovers, that is!
Freezer - This ground beef stew always freezes well; simply store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. I like to use souper cubes and then move them to freezer bags on they are solid.
Reheat - You can reheat large batches on the stovetop in a saucepan over medium heat or single servings in the microwave.
More recipes you’ll love
Do you love stew as much as I do on a cold winter day? Then I know that you are going to want to add this Crockpot Beef Stew with Dumplings, Moroccan Chicken Stew, or this Dutch Oven Guinness Beef Stew to your meal plan.
Pairings: what to serve with
This hearty Texas cowboy stew can be a meal all on its own. However, I like to serve alongside these great recipes for a classic comfort food meal.
Are you trying this recipe? I love to hear your thoughts, so I would appreciate it if you leave me a comment and let me know what you think about it!
Crockpot Cowboy Stew
Equipment
- Crockpot
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 4 medium potatoes peeled and diced
- 15 ounce can of corn undrained
- 15 ounce can pinto beans undrained
- 10.5 ounce can diced tomatoes with green chilies like Rotel
- 15 ounces tomato sauce
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 cup sliced smoked sausage or kielbasa
- 1 ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon chili powder adjust to taste - when I make this I will use 1 ½ teaspoons chili powder. But I love the heat.
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Optional garnishes - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese thinly sliced green onions
Instructions
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef or sausage until browned and crumbled. Add the diced onion and garlic, cooking until fragrant. Drain any excess
- Add the diced potatoes to the crockpot. Top with the browned meat mixture, frozen corn, beans, and sliced sausage. Pour the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beef broth over the top.
- Sprinkle the smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper over the mixture. Stir gently.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours, until the potatoes are tender and the flavors have melded beautifully.
- Before serving, taste the stew and adjust seasonings as needed. If you prefer a thicker stew, mash some of the potatoes gently or let the stew cook uncovered for the last 30 minutes.
- Ladle the soup into bowls and top with shredded cheddar cheese and sliced green onions if desired. Serve with crusty bread or cornbread on the side for the ultimate comfort meal.
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