Hearty Cowboy Soup Recipe

Welcome to a truly comforting and delicious meal: our hearty cowboy soup! This recipe brings together robust flavors and satisfying ingredients in one easy-to-make pot. It is packed with savory ground beef, zesty Italian sausage, tender beans, and a colorful array of vegetables like potatoes, corn, and green beans. This cozy cowboy soup is the perfect choice for a chilly evening or a bustling weeknight, promising a filling and flavorful experience with minimal effort. Get ready to enjoy a deeply satisfying meal that tastes like it was cooked all day.

Why You’ll Love This Cowboy Soup Recipe

This cowboy soup recipe is more than just a meal; it is an experience in comforting, home-cooked goodness. It delivers on flavor and simplicity, making it a staple in any busy kitchen.

• Incredible Flavor: Enjoy a rich, savory, and perfectly spiced blend that warms you from the inside out.
• Simple Ingredients: You likely have most of these accessible ingredients in your pantry already, making prep a breeze.
• Feeds a Crowd: This generous recipe is ideal for family dinners, potlucks, or gatherings with friends.
• Highly Customizable: Easily adapt it to your taste preferences with different meats, beans, or vegetables.
• Excellent for Meal Prep: It tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for convenient leftovers and advance cooking.
• Ultimate Comfort: There is nothing quite like a steaming bowl of this hearty soup to make any day feel cozier.

Ingredients

Gather these simple ingredients to create your next favorite cowboy soup. This blend of fresh and pantry staples ensures maximum flavor with minimal fuss.

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion (diced)
• 3 large carrots (peeled and diced)
• 2 celery sticks (diced)
• 1 pound ground beef (90/10)
• 1 pound Italian sausage (mild)
• 1 6-oz. can tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 14-oz. can diced tomatoes (with juice)
• 1 14-oz. can Mild Ro-Tel (diced tomatoes with green chilies)
• 1 14-oz. can Ranch-Style Beans (with juice)
• 1 14-oz. can sweet corn (with juice)
• 1 14-oz. can cut green beans (drained and rinsed)
• 3 large russet potatoes (peeled and diced)
• 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
• 3 tbsp parsley (for garnish, optional)

Notes & Substitutions

You can easily adapt this cowboy soup to suit your dietary needs or what you have on hand.

• Meat: Substitute ground beef and Italian sausage with ground turkey, other ground meat, or kielbasa for a different flavor profile.
• Beans: Feel free to swap Ranch-Style beans for kidney, black, or pinto beans. You can also omit beans if preferred.
• Broth: Replace beef broth with vegetable or chicken broth for a lighter base.
• Spice: For more heat, increase the chili powder, add a pinch of cayenne, or include diced jalapeños.
• Vegetables: Enhance the vegetable content with sweet potatoes, bell peppers, or a bag of mixed frozen vegetables.

Equipment

Having the right tools makes cooking this hearty soup even simpler. You likely own most of these kitchen essentials already.

• Large Dutch oven or large pot: Essential for cooking this generous batch of soup evenly.
• Wooden spoon: Perfect for stirring ingredients and breaking up ground meat.
• Cutting board and knife: For safely dicing all your fresh vegetables.
• Measuring spoons and cups: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements for best results.

How To Make Cowboy Soup

Follow these simple steps to create a hearty bowl of delicious cowboy soup. You will be amazed at how quickly this satisfying meal comes together, filling your kitchen with wonderful aromas.

1. Prep Vegetables: Start by dicing your onion, peeling and dicing the carrots, and dicing the celery sticks. Dice the russet potatoes as well. Having all your vegetables ready before you begin cooking makes the process smooth and efficient.
2. Sauté Aromatics: Add olive oil to a large Dutch oven or a sturdy large pot over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the chopped onions, carrots, and celery. Cook these aromatic vegetables, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes translucent and the carrots and celery begin to soften, which usually takes about 10 minutes. This step builds the flavorful base for your soup.
3. Brown Meats: Introduce the ground beef and Italian sausage to the pot with the sautéed vegetables. Use your wooden spoon to break up the meat into smaller pieces as it cooks. Continue cooking until both the ground beef and Italian sausage are fully browned and no longer pink.
4. Drain Fat: Once the meat is thoroughly cooked, carefully drain any excess grease from the pot. This prevents the soup from becoming too oily and keeps the texture hearty and balanced. A leaner soup also lets the delicious flavors shine through more clearly.
5. Add Spices: Stir in the garlic powder, cumin, oregano, chili powder, Kosher salt, and ground black pepper with the browned meat and vegetables. Cook for an additional 2 minutes, stirring constantly. This brief cooking time helps to bloom the spices, enhancing their aromas and flavors before liquids are added.
6. Combine Remaining Ingredients: Add the diced tomatoes (with their juice), tomato paste, Mild Ro-Tel (with its juice), Ranch-Style Beans (with their juice), sweet corn (with its juice), drained and rinsed green beans, and the diced russet potatoes into the pot. Pour in the low-sodium beef broth and stir everything gently to combine all the ingredients thoroughly. Cooking with fresh vegetables offers a nutritional boost, as detailed in research from the University Hospitals Health System on raw vs. cooked vegetables.
7. Bring to Boil: Increase the heat to bring the soup mixture to a rolling boil. This initial high heat helps to quickly warm all the ingredients and integrate the flavors.
8. Simmer: Once the soup reaches a boil, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cover the pot with a lid and let it cook for 35-40 minutes, or until the potatoes and carrots are perfectly tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
9. Serve: Ladle your warm and inviting cowboy soup into bowls. Garnish each serving with fresh chopped parsley, if desired, for a touch of freshness and color. Enjoy this comforting meal!

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

Making a fantastic cowboy soup is easy, especially with these helpful hints to guide you.

• Thoroughly Drain Grease: Do not skip draining excess fat from the meat. This step prevents a greasy soup and maintains a clean, hearty texture.
• Use a Large Pot: This recipe yields a generous amount, so a 6-quart (or larger) Dutch oven or pot is essential for comfortable cooking and stirring.
• Meal Prep Advantage: This soup is wonderful for meal prepping. Portion it into freezer-safe containers for convenient, ready-to-eat meals throughout the week.
• Slow Cooker Method: Brown the ground beef and Italian sausage, then sauté the veggies. Transfer everything to your slow cooker with the remaining ingredients. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
• Enhance Smokiness: For an extra layer of savory depth, try cooking your ground meat in a tablespoon or two of rendered bacon grease.
• Adjust Consistency: If your soup is too thick, add a little extra beef broth until it reaches your desired consistency. If it is too thin, simmer it uncovered for a bit longer to reduce.
• Taste and Adjust: Always taste your soup before serving. Adjust the salt, pepper, or other spices as needed to suit your personal preference.

Serving Suggestions & Storage

This versatile cowboy soup is a complete meal on its own, but it also pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides.

Serving Suggestions

• Classic Pairings: Serve your hot soup with warm, crusty bread for dipping, or with a side of crunchy tortilla chips.
• Delicious Toppings: Enhance each bowl with your favorite toppings. Try shredded cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream, sliced avocado, or fresh cilantro.
• Hearty Meal: For an even more substantial meal, serve the soup over a bed of fluffy white or brown rice, or alongside a warm slice of cornbread.

Storage Instructions

• Refrigerate: Allow the soup to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Freeze: This soup freezes beautifully! Divide cooled soup into individual freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. It will keep well in the freezer for 2-3 months.
• Reheat: Thaw frozen soup overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, or warm individual portions in the microwave until heated through.

Nutrition

Understanding the nutritional value of this robust soup helps you make informed choices for your family. Our hearty cowboy soup provides a nourishing blend of protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats, alongside a generous serving of vegetables. Refer to the detailed nutrition information provided below for estimated calories, protein, carbohydrates, and fat per serving. This makes it an excellent addition to a balanced diet.

FAQ

Conclusion

This hearty cowboy soup truly delivers on comfort, flavor, and versatility. It is a satisfying meal that is both easy to prepare and incredibly flavorful, making it perfect for busy weeknights or feeding a crowd. With its rich blend of meats, beans, and vegetables, this soup is sure to become a new family favorite. We encourage you to try this comforting recipe and experience the warmth and deliciousness it brings to your kitchen. We would love to hear about your experience and how you enjoyed this cozy meal!

Hearty Cowboy Soup Recipe

A robust and flavorful soup packed with ground beef, Italian sausage, vegetables, beans, and potatoes, seasoned with a blend of spices, perfect for a hearty meal.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 57 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 22 minutes mins

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Servings 8 people

Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

• large Dutch oven
• Wooden spoon

Ingredients

  

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Main Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion (diced)
• 3 large carrots (peeled and diced)
• 2 celery sticks
• 1 pound ground beef (90/10)
• 1 pound Italian sausage (mild)
• 1 6-oz. can tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 14-oz. can diced tomatoes (with juice)
• 1 14-oz. can Mild Ro-Tel (diced tomatoes with green chilies)
• 1 14-oz. can Ranch-Style Beans (with juice)
• 1 14-oz. can sweet corn (with juice)
• 1 14-oz. can cut green beans (drained and rinsed)
• 3 large russet potatoes (peeled and diced)
• 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
• 3 tbsp parsley (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

 

Cooking Steps

• Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the diced onions, carrots, and celery, cooking until translucent and tender, which takes about 10 minutes.
• Add the ground beef and Italian sausage to the pot, breaking up the meat and cooking until no longer pink. Remember to drain any excess fat.
• Stir in the cumin, garlic powder, chili powder, oregano, salt, and pepper, then cook for an additional 2 minutes to toast the spices.
• Combine the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, Ro-Tel, ranch-style beans, corn, green beans, and potatoes in the pot, then pour in the beef broth and stir thoroughly.
• Bring the soup to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for 35-40 minutes until the potatoes and carrots are tender.
• Optionally, garnish individual servings with fresh chopped parsley before serving.

Notes

Remember to drain excess fat from the meat before adding other ingredients. Garnish with fresh parsley for an added touch of freshness, if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 35gFat: 25gSodium: 900mgFiber: 10gSugar: 10g

Keyword Beef Cowboy Soup, Cowboy Soup, Cowboy Soup Recipe, Cowboy Stew Soup, Easy Cowboy Soup, Hearty Cowboy Soup, One Pot Cowboy Soup, Texas Cowboy Soup

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