Description
Texas Cowboy Stew is a hearty, flavorful one-pot meal combining lean ground beef, kielbasa, a medley of vegetables, beans, and spices simmered together to create a comforting stew with a smoky, mildly spicy kick. Perfect for family dinners or gatherings, this stew delivers rich, robust flavors that evoke the spirit of the Southwest.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein
- 1 lb lean ground beef (90-93% lean)
- 1 lb kielbasa, sliced
Vegetables and Beans
- ½ onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1- 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes, drained
- 1- 15 oz can pinto beans, undrained
- 1- 15.2 oz can whole kernel corn, undrained
- 1- 15.5 oz can diced tomatoes with green chiles, undrained
- 2 cups potatoes, diced
- 1- 5 oz package frozen mixed veggies
Liquids and Seasonings
- 1 ½ cups water
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon red chili flakes
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Brown the Meat and Onions: In a large pot over medium heat, add the lean ground beef along with the finely chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook, stirring and breaking up the beef as it browns evenly. Once the beef starts to brown, add the sliced kielbasa to the pot and mix it in.
- Add Liquids and Vegetables: Pour in the 1 ½ cups of water and the drained diced tomatoes. Then add the pinto beans (undrained), diced potatoes, whole kernel corn (undrained), frozen mixed veggies, and the can of diced tomatoes with green chiles (undrained). Stir everything to combine evenly.
- Season and Simmer: Sprinkle the ground cumin, dried oregano, paprika, chili powder, and red chili flakes evenly over the stew. Stir gently to distribute the spices throughout. Reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Let the stew simmer for one hour, allowing all the flavors to meld and the potatoes to soften. Towards the end, season with salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
- For extra depth of flavor, you can brown the kielbasa separately before adding it.
- If you prefer a thicker stew, simmer uncovered during the last 15 minutes to reduce excess liquid.
- This stew freezes well; store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
- Use fresh diced tomatoes and green chilies if you want a fresher taste instead of canned varieties.
