Cowboy soup is a hearty and filling classic southwestern staple. This simple recipe for cowboy soup is delicious – with lots of flexible options so you can make it exactly how you want.
Why You'll Love This Cowboy Soup
Cowboy soup with ground beef is a hearty and filling soup economical and filling. It is made with ground beef, chili beans, vegetables, and broth, and it is seasoned with cumin, and garlic. This soup is sure to warm you up from the inside out!
This classic southwestern soup has been a staple in homes for generations. Our cowboy soup recipe is an easy, delicious and satisfying soup that will warm you up from the inside out. You'll also find this hearty cowboy soup to be:
- Hearty and filling soup that is perfect for lunch or dinner.
- Quick and easy to make, even for beginner cooks.
- Uses simple, affordable ingredients that are easy to find.
- Versatile soup that can be made with canned pantry vegetables.
- Customizable to your own taste preferences.
- Budget-friendly meal that can feed a large group of people.
- Healthy and nutritious soup that is packed with protein, fiber, and vitamins.
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Cowboy Soup Ingredients
With just a few ingredients, this savory yet simple soup packs a big punch of flavor. Cowboy hamburger soup is sure to become one of your favorite go-to recipes on busy weeknights.
Grab your cowboy hat and get ready for some Southwestern vibes as you rustle up this chuck wagon special!
- Ground beef - 80% to 93% Lean Ground Beef.
- Onion - Chopped.
- Garlic powder - Or minced fresh garlic.
- Cumin - Ground cumin.
- Chili Powder or Cayenne - Optional, as the Ranch Beans and Rotel are already spicy.
- Salt
- Pepper - Freshly ground black pepper is best.
- Ranch Beans - One can of classic Ranch Beans or Chili Beans.
- Corn - One can of drained whole kernel corn, or 2 cups of frozen corn.
- Diced Tomatoes - One can petite diced tomatoes.
- Rotel Tomatoes - One can of Mild Rotel tomatoes with chilies. I get the Mild as I prefer this soup mild.
- Potatoes - A few potatoes, cut into cubes.
- Beef Broth - Or vegetable broth, or Better Than Bullion stock concentrate.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Cowboy Soup
Let's walk through all the steps needed to make our version of this nostalgic soup favorite. Get ready to cozy up with some warm, flavorful Cowboy hamburger soup!
Brown the Ground Beef
- Brown the ground beef with the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Drain off any excess fat.
- Add the onion to the pot and cook until softened.
Add The Spices
- Stir in the cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- If adding chili powder or cayenne, add it now also.
Stir In Beans and Vegetables
- Add the diced tomatoes and Ranch Beans to the pot.
Simmer With Potatoes and Rotel
- Add the mixed vegetables, corn, and broth to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
- Add the cubed potatoes and Rotel to the dutch oven or pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
- Serve hot with your favorite sandwich, sides, or crusty bread.
Cowboy Soup Serving Suggestions
Serve Cowboy Hamburger soup with some Air Fryer Texas Toast or our Cracker Barrel Cornbread Muffins. Add a green tossed salad, or our Tropical Fruit Salad to round out as a complete meal. Some additional recipe our Cowboy Soup goes perfectly with are:
- Sourdough Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
- Air Fryer Ranch Potato Wedges
- Bakery Style Chocolate Chip Cookies
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Substitutions & Variations
This Cowboy soup recipe is so versatile, you can use drained canned mixed vegetables, or even veggies in your produce bin that you need to use quickly. Chopped carrots, celery, and my favorite, a can of okra, tomatoes, and corn!
No Ranch or chili beans, that's OK too. You can use ANY canned beans, to include a can of pork and beans! You can also substitute a can of beans with â…” cup of any dry beans of choice.
A few other ways to vary this flexible, easy soup are:
- Ground Turkey or Ground Chicken - brown and cook just like ground beef.
- Leftover Pot Roast meat - just chop it up small and toss it in the soup pot.
- Any beans - black beans, northern beans, pinto beans, chili beans, even pork and beans are fabulous.
- Vegetables - Use what you have on hand! Pretty much any vegetables will taste great, except for things like broccoli. I always keep a few cans of soup vegetables, and they are perfect for making this cowboy soup recipe.
Equipment
Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. Below are some of my favorite pieces of equipment that I use when making Cowboy Soup.
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Storage & Reheating
To store cowboy soup in the refrigerator, let it cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. It will last for 3-4 days in the fridge. To freeze cowboy soup, let it cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container. It will last for 2-3 months in the freezer.
To reheat, simply bring the soup to a boil in a pot over medium heat, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, or until heated through.
Tips for Success
- Use a good quality ground beef. This will make a big difference in the flavor of the soup.
- Sauté the onions and garlic until they are soft and fragrant. This will add depth of flavor to the soup.
- Add a bit of chili powder or cayenne pepper to taste. This will give the soup a bit of a kick.
- Simmer the soup for a long enough time so that the flavors have time to meld together. This will make this hearty cowboy soup more flavorful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can make cowboy hamburger soup ahead of time and then reheat it later.
Yes, you can freeze cowboy hamburger soup. To freeze, simply let the soup cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container. When you're ready to eat, thaw the soup in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat it according to the instructions above.
Yes, you can make cowboy soup in a slow cooker. Simply brown the ground beef and onion in a skillet over medium heat, then transfer the mixture to the slow cooker. Add the remaining ingredients and cook on low for 4-6 hours, or until the soup is thickened and the vegetables are tender.
You can add 1 teaspoon of your favorite chili powder, and/or use Hot Rotel instead of Mild Rotel.
More Delish Ideas
📖 Recipe
Cowboy Soup
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef lean
- 1 medium onion diced
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder or two cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon cumin ground
- 1 teaspoon chili powder Optional
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 can diced tomatoes 16 oz, undrained
- 1 can Ranch Beans or can of chili beans, just beans
- 12 oz mixed vegetables frozen
- 1 can corn 16 oz whole kernel, drained
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 large potatoes cubed
- 1 can Rotel tomatoes mild
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef with the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Drain off any excess fat.1 lb ground beef, 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Add the onion to the pot and cook until softened.1 medium onion
- Stir in the cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. If adding chili powder or cayenne, add it now also.½ teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Add the diced tomatoes and Ranch Beans to the pot.1 can Ranch Beans, 1 can diced tomatoes
- Add the mixed vegetables, corn, and broth to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.12 oz mixed vegetables, 1 can corn, 4 cups beef broth
- Add the cubed potatoes and Rotel to the dutch oven or pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender. Serve hot with your favorite sandwich, sides, or crusty bread.2 large potatoes, 1 can Rotel tomatoes
Notes
- Use a good quality ground beef. This will make a big difference in the flavor of the soup.
- Sauté the onions and garlic until they are soft and fragrant. This will add depth of flavor to the soup.
- Add a bit of chili powder or cayenne pepper to taste. This will give the soup a bit of a kick.
- Simmer the soup for a long enough time so that the flavors have time to meld together. This will make this hearty cowboy soup more flavorful.
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