Hearty & Inexpensive Cowboy Soup (Stovetop & Slow Cooker)

Warm up with a bowl of this incredibly satisfying cowboy soup! It’s a hearty and flavorful meal that brings comfort to any table. This easy-to-prepare recipe is perfect for chilly evenings, offering a budget-friendly and versatile option for home cooks. Dive into this rustic soup that will quickly become a family favorite.

Why You’ll Love This Cowboy Soup

This cowboy soup offers a perfect blend of convenience and deliciousness, making it a staple for your recipe collection. You’ll truly appreciate how simple it is to bring such a rich meal to life.

• Quick & Easy to Prepare: Whether you choose the stovetop or slow cooker method, this recipe fits perfectly into busy schedules.
• Hearty and Filling Meal: Loaded with meat, beans, and vegetables, it satisfies even the biggest appetites.
• Budget-Friendly Ingredients: Create a delicious and wholesome dinner without breaking the bank.
• Packed with Protein and Vegetables: Enjoy a balanced and nutritious dish that keeps you energized.

Research highlights that ingredients like ground beef provide significant protein, while beans offer essential vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, contributing to a satisfying meal. protein and dietary fiber content of beans and beef

• Customizable to Taste Preferences: Easily adjust ingredients and seasonings to make it uniquely yours.

Ingredients

Gather these wholesome ingredients to create a truly delicious cowboy soup:

• 5 slices smoked turkey bacon, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
• 1 lb ground beef
• 14 oz package smoked turkey sausage, sliced into ½ inch pieces
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, medium, peeled and chopped (can also use a large handful of baby carrots)
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15 ounce) can sweet corn, drained
• 3 cups beef broth, chicken broth or vegetable broth
• 3 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Notes & Substitutions

• Turkey bacon offers a milder, lower-calorie, and lower-fat alternative while still adding great flavor to this soup.
• Smoked turkey bacon provides a lovely smoky depth; you can render its fat or use a little cooking oil if needed.
• Lean ground beef works wonderfully as the hearty protein base for this rustic soup.
• Smoked turkey sausage truly elevates the overall flavor with its rich, savory notes.
• Bean options include kidney beans, cannellini beans, butter beans, or chickpeas for tasty variety.
• Vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini can be added or reduced based on your family’s preferences.
• Beef broth delivers the richest flavor, but chicken or vegetable broth also works well.
• For a thicker cowboy soup, a cornstarch slurry works wonders.
• Always adjust seasonings to taste so the soup suits your personal preference perfectly.

Equipment

You will need a few basic kitchen tools to prepare this fulfilling cowboy soup.

• Large Dutch oven or stockpot
• Slow cooker (optional, for alternative method)
• Cutting board and sharp knife
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Stirring spoon

How To Make Cowboy Soup

Bringing this delicious cowboy soup to life is straightforward, whether you prefer the stovetop or the slow cooker method.

Stovetop Method:

1. Add the smoked turkey bacon to your pot and begin sautéing to render out the fat and cook the bacon through.
2. After the smoked turkey bacon is cooked through and crispy, remove it from the pot and set it aside.
3. Add the ground beef to the pot, browning it while breaking up larger clumps.
4. When the beef is around halfway cooked, add the chopped onions, carrots, and sliced smoked turkey sausage. Continue cooking this mixture until the ground beef is thoroughly cooked and the vegetables soften.
5. Stir in the minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for one minute until fragrant.
6. Add the diced tomatoes, all the drained and rinsed beans, sweet corn, diced potatoes, and beef broth to the pot.
7. Bring the cowboy soup to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Simmer for approximately 30-40 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
8. When the potatoes are soft but not falling apart, taste the soup to adjust the seasonings. Add more salt, pepper, or spices as needed.
9. Return the crispy smoked turkey bacon to the pot just before serving.
10. Pour into bowls and serve this hearty soup with buttered crusty bread or crackers. Enjoy!

Slow Cooker Method:

1. Cook the smoked turkey bacon in a separate pan until crispy. Remove and set aside.
2. Brown the ground beef and sliced smoked turkey sausage in the same pan. Drain any excess fat.
3. Transfer the cooked meats, onions, carrots, garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, pepper, diced tomatoes, all the beans, corn, potatoes, and broth into your slow cooker.
4. Stir everything together well to combine.
5. Cook the cowboy soup on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the vegetables are tender.
6. Crumble the crispy smoked turkey bacon and stir it into the soup just before serving.

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

• Dice potatoes into small, uniform pieces for quicker and more even cooking.
• If your soup is too thin, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water to make a slurry, then stir it into the simmering soup until thickened.
• Cowboy soup tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to meld.
• Add heat with dried chili peppers or fresh jalapeños when adding your seasonings.
• If you run out of broth, use bouillon powder dissolved in water or plain water as a quick substitute.

Serving, Storage & Variations

This versatile cowboy soup offers many possibilities for serving and extending its deliciousness.

Serving Suggestions:

• Bread & Crackers: Serve alongside warm, crusty buttered bread or your favorite crackers for dipping.
• Over Potatoes: Ladle this hearty soup over creamy mashed potatoes for an extra comforting meal.
• Side Salad: Start your meal with a crisp, fresh side salad to balance the richness of the soup.

Storage:

• Refrigerate: Allow the soup to cool completely before transferring it to airtight containers. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Freezing:

• Portion & Freeze: Divide cooled soup into freezer-safe bags or containers. Freeze for up to 3 months.
• Reheat: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then gently reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Second Act Ideas (Leftovers):

• Cowboy Pasta: Reduce any leftover soup to a thicker consistency and toss it with your favorite cooked pasta for a hearty pasta dish.
• Rustic Shepherd’s Pie: Use the thickened soup as a flavorful base, then top it with a generous layer of mashed potatoes and bake until golden.
• Hot Sandwiches/Sloppy Joes: Thicken the remaining soup further, then serve it on toasted buns or bread for a creative and satisfying hot sandwich.

Nutrition

Please remember that the nutritional values provided are estimates. The actual nutritional content can vary based on specific ingredients, preparation methods, and serving sizes. This estimate is for one serving of this fulfilling cowboy soup.

FAQ

How can I thicken this cowboy soup?
The diced potatoes naturally contribute to the soup’s thickness as they cook and break down. For an even thicker consistency, create a cornstarch slurry by mixing equal parts cornstarch and cold water, then stir it into the simmering soup until it reaches your desired texture.

Can I double this soup to feed more people?
Absolutely! This cowboy soup recipe is very forgiving and scales up beautifully. Simply double all the ingredients and ensure you use a large enough pot or slow cooker. Adjust seasonings to taste before serving.

Conclusion

This hearty and flavorful cowboy soup is truly a winner for any home cook seeking comfort and ease. With simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, you can effortlessly create a nourishing meal that satisfies everyone. We encourage you to try this rustic soup and discover the joy it brings to your kitchen. Share your cooking journey by commenting below, rating the recipe, and sharing your delicious photos!

Hearty & Inexpensive Cowboy Soup (Stovetop & Slow Cooker)

A robust and budget-friendly soup featuring bacon, ground beef, smoked sausage, potatoes, and a medley of beans and corn. This versatile recipe can be prepared on the stovetop or in a slow cooker, offering a comforting meal for any occasion.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Servings 8 bowls

Calories 480 kcal

Kitchen Equipment

• Large pot or Dutch oven
• Knife
• Cutting board
• Slow cooker (optional)

Recipe Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 5 slices bacon cut into 1/2 inch pieces
• 1 lb ground beef
• 14 oz package smoked sausage sliced into ½ inch pieces
• 1 medium yellow onion chopped
• 2 medium carrots peeled and chopped (can also use a large handful of baby carrots)
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes
• 1 15-ounce can pinto beans drained and rinsed
• 1 15-ounce can black beans drained and rinsed
• 1 15 ounce can sweet corn drained
• 3 cups broth beef, chicken or vegetable
• 3 medium russet potatoes peeled and diced
• salt and pepper to taste

See also  Easy Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Breast

Step-by-Step Instructions

 

Stovetop Instructions

• Cook bacon in a large pot or Dutch oven until crispy, then remove and set aside.
• Brown the ground beef in the rendered bacon fat, breaking up any large clumps.
• Add onions, chopped carrots, and sliced sausage to the beef, continuing to cook until beef is thoroughly browned.
• Stir in minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper, cooking for one minute until fragrant.
• Add diced tomatoes, pinto beans, black beans, sweet corn, diced potatoes, and broth to the pot.
• Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 30-40 minutes, or until potatoes are tender.
• Once potatoes are tender, adjust seasonings to taste and stir the cooked bacon back into the soup.
• Ladle the hot soup into bowls and serve with crusty bread or crackers.

Slow Cooker Instructions

• Cook bacon in a pan until crispy, then remove and set aside.
• Brown the ground beef and smoked sausage in the bacon fat.
• Transfer browned meats to a slow cooker, then add onions, carrots, seasonings, tomatoes, beans, corn, potatoes, and broth.
• Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until vegetables are tender.
• Crumble the cooked bacon and stir it into the soup just before serving.

Notes

This versatile soup can be prepared on the stovetop for a quicker meal or in a slow cooker for a hands-off approach. Serve with a dollop of sour cream or shredded cheese for extra richness.

Keyword Budget Friendly Dinner Soup, Cowboy Soup, Cowboy Soup Recipe, Easy Cowboy Soup, Hearty Cowboy Soup, One Pot Cowboy Soup