Ingredients
Scale
- 2 (12-ounce) packages 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
- Brown the sausage: Start by heating a little oil in your large pot and adding the sausage slices. You want them to get nice and brown on both sides. Browning the sausage first helps render out some of its fat and gives it that irresistible smoky flavor. Once it’s browned, set it aside on a plate. (Trust me, don’t rush this part! I’ve been impatient before and skipped proper browning, and the flavor just wasn’t the same.)
- Brown the ground beef: In the same pot, add your ground beef, onions, and garlic. Cook until the beef is no longer pink and the onions are soft. This is where your house will start to smell amazing, so don’t be surprised if people start wandering into the kitchen! Sprinkle the flour, salt, pepper, and chili powder over the beef, and give it a good stir. The flour helps thicken the stew, and cooking the spices for a minute really brings out their flavor.
- Add everything else: Now it’s time to toss in the tomatoes, baked beans, green chilies, corn, and potatoes. Don’t forget to add the sausage back into the pot! Pour in the water, bring everything to a boil, and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover the pot and let it do its thing for about an hour. You’ll want to stir occasionally to make sure nothing sticks to the bottom. If the stew looks too thick, just add a little more water.
- Finish it off: Once everything is tender and the flavors have melded together, garnish with some fresh parsley for a pop of color and brightness. And there you have it—Cowboy Stew!
Notes
One of the best things about Cowboy Stew is that it tastes even better the next day! Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to reheat, just pop it in a pot over medium heat, adding a little water or broth if it looks too thick. You can also microwave individual servings, though the stovetop is best for maintaining the texture of the potatoes and sausage. If you’re planning to freeze it, just make sure to cool the stew completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. It’ll keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner