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+ servings
Linda S. Smith

Texas Cowboy Stew

A hearty one-pot stew featuring ground beef, smoked sausage, bacon, and potatoes, perfect for weeknights or game days.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

Meat Ingredients
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 lb smoked sausage, sliced (kielbasa or andouille)
  • 4 slices bacon, chopped
Vegetable Ingredients
  • 4 medium potatoes, diced (Yukon Gold or russet)
  • 1 can corn, drained (or 1 cup frozen corn)
  • 1 can beans (kidney or pinto), rinsed and drained
  • 1 can diced tomatoes (14–15 oz)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids & Seasonings
  • 4 cups beef broth (substitute chicken or vegetable broth if needed) Use low-sodium broth for reduced salt.
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • to taste Salt and pepper

Method
 

Cooking the Bacon
  1. Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped bacon and cook until crispy, about 6–8 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the fat in the pot.
Browning the Meats
  1. In the bacon fat, add the ground beef and sliced smoked sausage. Brown the meat, breaking up the ground beef with a spoon until there’s no pink left and the sausage is lightly seared. Drain excess fat if the pot looks greasy.
Adding Aromatics
  1. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant, about 3–4 minutes.
Bulk and Simmer
  1. Stir in the diced potatoes, drained corn, rinsed beans, diced tomatoes (with juices), and beef broth. Scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
  2. Season with chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Give everything a good stir to combine.
  3. Bring the stew to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 30–40 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  4. Taste and adjust seasoning, then stir the reserved crispy bacon into the stew right before serving so it keeps some crunch. Serve warm and enjoy.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 30gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 8gSodium: 700mgFiber: 7gSugar: 5g

Notes

This stew is great topped with sour cream, shredded cheddar, or paired with crusty bread. Cool leftovers quickly and store in an airtight container. Can freeze for up to 3 months. Check for hidden gluten if needed.

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