This Cowboy Stew creation brings together three delectable types of meat, a medley of vegetables, and beans in a one-pot masterpiece that's bound to please every palate! Think of it as the lovechild of beef stew and chili, and then some—a scrumptious symphony of flavors!
What Makes This Recipe Exceptional
This ain't your typical stew recipe! Packed with three varieties of succulent meat and an abundance of fresh vegetables, this is the mouthwatering dinner your family has been yearning for.
- Irresistibly Tender, Juicy Meat
- A One-Pot Culinary Marvel
- Effortless Cleanup
- Flavor That Wins Over the Entire Crowd
Photo byGonna Want Seconds
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour hr 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour hr 45 minutes
Serves: 8
Ingredients
4 slices bacon, chopped
2 (12-ounce) package kielbasa sausage, cut into 1/2 inch slices
1 1/2 pounds ground beef, 80/20
1 medium onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 (14.5-ounce) can petite diced tomatoes, with liquid
2 (16-ounce) cans baked 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
1 cup water
2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
Instructions
Cook bacon until brown and crispy in a large pot. Using a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to a plate lined with a paper towel to drain.
Add the sausage to pot drippings and brown on both sides, adjusting heat as needed so fond (brown bits on the bottom of the pot) does not burn. Remove to the plate with bacon; set aside.
Add beef, onion, and garlic to the pot and brown until the beef is no longer pink. Sprinkle flour, salt, pepper, and chili powder over beef. Stir and cook for 1 minute.
Add diced tomatoes, baked beans, green chilies, sweet corn, potatoes, bacon, sausage, and water. Bring to a boil then immediately reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
Garnish with parsley.
Add additional water too thick.
Recipe Insights
This recipe is a wonderfully wholesome and effortlessly prepared meal that will make you feel great about serving it to your family. The beauty of cooking everything in one pot not only simplifies cleanup but also allows the flavors to meld seamlessly.
- Kielbasa: This recipe boasts a triumvirate of meats for a multi-dimensional flavor experience. If you're tempted to skip one, think twice—it's truly worth it. For instance, the kielbasa contributes a delightful smokiness that the bacon and beef alone can't replicate. The combination of all three is essential for that authentic cowboy stew essence.
- Tomatoes: To streamline both prep and cooking, canned tomatoes are the go-to choice for this recipe. Opting for petite diced tomatoes expedites their breakdown. In the event petite ones are unavailable, crushed tomatoes work admirably as an alternative.
- Beans: The inclusion of canned baked beans infuses a delectable flavor and sweetness into this recipe. While my preference leans towards good ol' Bush's Original, any brand available at your local store will do the job.
- Corn: To enhance the sweetness even further, sweet corn is a crucial addition. It's important to note that sweet corn is not merely corn canned with added sugar—it's a distinct variety of corn. Hence, be sure to inspect labels to avoid plain corn with sugar additives.
Crockpot Instructions
1. Cook bacon until it's crisp and brown in a large pot. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
2. In the pot drippings, brown the sausage on both sides, adjusting the heat to prevent burning the fond (brown bits at the bottom of the pot). Remove the sausage and set it aside with the bacon.
3. Add beef, onion, and garlic to the pot, browning the beef until it's no longer pink. Sprinkle flour, salt, pepper, and chili powder over the beef. Stir and cook for 1 minute.
4. Combine all the meats in a large crockpot.
5. Add diced tomatoes, baked beans, green chilies, sweet corn, potatoes, and water to the crockpot.
6. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours.
Storage, Freezing, and Make-Ahead
- Refrigeration Duration: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. For space-saving, consider using a gallon-sized Ziploc bag. Note that it may thicken slightly in the fridge, so you may need to add a little water when reheating.
- Freezing: While this recipe is excellent for meal prep, be mindful of the potatoes, which can be finicky when frozen. You might want to omit them during freezing and add canned potatoes when serving. Frozen without potatoes, it can stay in your freezer for up to three months. To thaw, place it in the fridge overnight, add potatoes, and reheat.
- Make-Ahead Tips: Thanks to the convenience of canned ingredients, this one-pot wonder comes together swiftly. You can pre-chop onions, garlic, potatoes, and kielbasa in advance. The onions and garlic can be stored together, and the kielbasa can go in a sealed plastic bag, all of which can be refrigerated for up to a week.
