Crockpot Texas Cowboy Stew: Easy Hearty One-Pot Slow Cooker Recipe

Table of Contents

• Why You’ll Love This crockpot texas cowboy stew
• Ingredients for crockpot texas cowboy stew
• How to Make crockpot texas cowboy stew
• Step-by-Step Instructions for crockpot texas cowboy stew
• Pro Tips & Variations of crockpot texas cowboy stew
• crockpot texas cowboy stew Serving Suggestions
• crockpot texas cowboy stew Storage & Reheating
• FAQ about crockpot texas cowboy stew
• Final Thoughts

Why You’ll Love This crockpot texas cowboy stew

This isn’t just another stew, it’s a culinary hug packed into your slow cooker. The recipe is inspired by classic western american cuisine stew, focusing on robust flavors and satisfying textures. It truly is one of the easiest slow cooker texas cowboy stew recipes I’ve ever developed.

• Maximum Flavor, Minimum Effort: Once you’ve done the quick browning of the meat (optional, but recommended!), the slow cooker handles the rest. It’s the ultimate low effort dump meal cowboy stew.
• Hearty and Filling: This dish is built on meaty staples like ground meat and smoky sausage stew, combined with beans and potatoes, making it a complete meal that sticks to your ribs.
• Family Favorite: My kids devour this. The mild, smoky flavors and recognizable ingredients like corn and potatoes make this a kid friendly cowboy stew recipe approved by both James and Olivia.
• Budget Friendly: Utilizing affordable ingredients like ground beef and smoked sausage links means this is a very budget friendly crockpot texas cowboy stew that feeds a crowd easily.
• Perfect for Prep: This makes a huge batch, ideal as a meal prep cowboy stew freezer meal, tasting even better the next day!

Ingredients for crockpot texas cowboy stew

The beauty of this easy crockpot cowboy stew lies in its simplicity and the quality of the ingredients. I always try to use fresh ingredients when possible, but this recipe embraces pantry staples perfectly.

• The Meats:
  • 1 pound ground beef (85/15 recommended for flavor, or ground turkey for a lighter version)
  • 1 pound smoked sausage (or kielbasa), sliced thick. This is key for that deep, smoky flavor.
  • 4 slices bacon, chopped (optional, for extra depth)
• The Vegetables:
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 tsp jarred)
  • 1 cup beef broth (low sodium)
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained (or use RO-TEL style tomatoes with chiles for a little kick)
  • 1 can (15 oz) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed (You can use canned beans and corn for true convenience)
  • 1 cup frozen corn (for sweetness and color)
  • 3 medium potatoes (Yukon Gold or russet), peeled and diced into 1-inch pieces.
• The Seasoning & Sauces:
  • 1 packet ranch seasoning mix (The secret ingredient for a complex flavor base!)
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika (This enhances the smoky flavor of the sausage.)
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup condensed tomato soup (or tomato sauce plus a little sugar for balance)

How to Make crockpot texas cowboy stew

The best part about making a crockpot cowboy stew is that the actual hands-on time is minimal. We are going for a true slow cooker cowboy stew with ground beef and sausage experience where the flavors meld together beautifully over hours.

Step-by-Step Instructions for crockpot texas cowboy stew

1. Prep the Meat (Optional but Recommended): In a large skillet, cook the bacon until crisp. Remove and set aside. Drain off some grease, leaving about 1 tbsp. Brown the ground beef in the bacon fat until no pink remains. Toss in the onion and garlic and sauté until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes, until it smells wonderfully warm and savory in your kitchen. Drain any excess grease.
2. Load the Crockpot: Add the browned ground beef mixture, sliced smoked sausage, and diced potatoes to the slow cooker insert.
3. Add Liquids and Seasoning: Pour in the beef broth, the diced tomatoes, tomato soup, and the seasoning blend (ranch mix, chili powder, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper). Stir gently to combine everything, making sure the seasonings are fully incorporated into the liquid.
4. Cook Low and Slow: Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours. The goal is to fully tenderize the potatoes and let those smoky flavors sink deep into the stew.
5. The Final Touches: During the last 30 minutes of cooking, stir in the drained and rinsed pinto and black beans, along with the frozen corn. If you like it thicker, you can mash a few potatoes against the side of the pot to release some starch. The beans and corn just need to heat through. (For a real southwestern spiced cowboy stew, now is the time to add a dash of green chiles if you like heat!)
6. Serve: Ladle the hot stew into bowls, top with the crumbled bacon, and serve immediately.

Pro Tips & Variations of crockpot texas cowboy stew

I don’t chase perfection in food, I chase connection, but a few simple switches can tailor this texas cowboy stew recipe to exactly what your family loves.

• The Browning Step: While this is a “dump and go” recipe, the single most important step for deep flavor is browning the ground beef first. It creates a rich foundation you can’t get from just tossing raw meat in the slow cooker. This also ensures a true no browning required crockpot cowboy stew option if you’re ultra-pressed for time, but it’s worth the 10 minutes!
• Spice Level Adjustments: For a true Texas kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce along with the chili powder. For a milder, kid friendly cowboy stew recipe, use sweet paprika instead of smoked and omit any tomatoes with chiles.
• Dietary Swaps: To make a lighter option, use ground turkey or ground chicken instead of beef. For those needing a gluten-free dish, gluten free texas cowboy stew in slow cooker is naturally easy, just ensure your beef broth and sausage are certified GF.
• Add Vegetables: If you want to sneak in more greens, stir in a bag of frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, green beans) during the last hour of cooking.
• Thickening the Stew: If the stew is too thin at the end of cooking, remove about 1 cup of the broth, stir in 1 tbsp of cornstarch until dissolved, and pour it back into the crockpot. Cook on high for an extra 15 minutes to allow it to thicken beautifully. For another wonderful slow cooker meal that thickens easily, try our Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup.
• Use Different Beans: The recipe calls for pinto and black beans, but you can swap these for great northen beans or even baked beans (which will add a touch of sweetness). The key in any great beef and bean stew is variety and texture.

crockpot texas cowboy stew Serving Suggestions

This texas cowboy stew with ground beef and sausage is so complete, it barely needs companions, but a few sides elevate it to true comfort food status.

• Cornbread or Biscuits: A slice of warm, buttery cornbread is essential for soaking up all the rich, seasoned broth.
• Fresh Toppings: Set up a topping bar! Include shredded sharp cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt, and some fresh chopped chives or cilantro. Serving it with a side of tortilla chips adds a great crunch.
• Green Salad: A simple, crisp green salad dressed lightly with vinaigrette provides a fresh contrast to the rich, smokiness of the stew.

crockpot texas cowboy stew Storage & Reheating

This is truly one of those dishes that improves overnight, making it perfect for preparing a make ahead texas cowboy stew for a crowd or simply for easy lunches.

Refrigeration: Once cooled, store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors deepen beautifully overnight!

Freezing: This stew freezes exceptionally well. Cool completely, then transfer to freezer-safe containers, leaving about an inch of headspace. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. The potatoes might become slightly softer upon reheating, but the flavor will still be fantastic.

Reheating: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator if frozen. Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, or use the slow cooker on the ‘Keep Warm’ setting if reheating a very large batch (perfect for game day!).

FAQ about crockpot texas cowboy stew

I know many of you have specific questions when tackling a new slow cooker texas cowboy stew recipe, especially about ingredients and cooking times. Here are the most common questions I get:

Q: Can I skip the browning of the ground beef and sausage?

A: Yes, you absolutely can! This will turn it into a true dump and go crockpot cowboy stew. However, browning the beef and sautéing the onion for just 10 minutes beforehand adds a crucial layer of caramelized flavor (fond) that transfers to the stew. If skipping this step, I highly recommend using a little extra smoked paprika to compensate for the loss of depth.

Q: What kind of sausage works best in this hearty texas cowboy stew?

A: I use a fully cooked, pre-smoked sausage like Kielbasa or an Andouille sausage (if you like more heat). This is an important ingredient, contributing a huge amount of smokiness and richness to the final beef and kielbasa stew. Make sure it’s a good, solid link sausage that won’t fall apart during the long cook time.

Q: Can I use fresh potatoes instead of canned or frozen?

A: Yes, this recipe requires fresh potatoes, diced small (about 1-inch pieces). Using fresh potatoes ensures they don’t turn mushy during the long cook time. If you’re looking for other hearty cowboy stew options, check out this great example from Family Fresh Meals for ingredient inspiration.

Q: How can I adjust this for a bigger crowd or tailgating?

A: This recipe is already designed to be a massive, family friendly texas cowboy stew recipe. To feed an even larger group, simply double the ingredients and use a large 7- or 8-quart slow cooker. It’s the perfect, warm, game day texas cowboy stew option. You can keep it on the ‘Keep Warm’ setting for hours.

Q: I prefer a thicker consistency. How can I achieve that with my slow cooker?

A: The mixture of tomato soup and potatoes usually thickens it naturally. If you still want it thicker, during the last hour, mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 1/4 cup of cold water until smooth. Stir this slurry into the stew until combined. Cook on HIGH for 30 minutes. You could also try this alternative consistency from The Lazy Slow Cooker, which focuses on a similar slow cooker method.

Final Thoughts

There’s a quiet magic that happens when a meal cooks itself. You leave the house in the morning, the scent of ranch seasoning and smoke just beginning to curl from the lid, and you return to find a full dinner waiting. That’s the beauty of the slow cooker, isn’t it? It gives us back time, and time is the only truly precious ingredient we have. This crockpot texas cowboy stew is more than just dinner; it’s a promise of warmth and connection. It’s Ethan and I laughing over a bowl after a long day, or Olivia explaining her latest third-grade drama while James quietly asks for seconds of the easy creamy ground beef crockpot meal for a quick dinner. It’s the kind of uncomplicated nourishment we all need. Pin this for later, and let this hearty stew be the backbone of your next cold-weather evening.

From my kitchen in Bend to yours, happy slow cooking.

— Cindy Motter