Saddle up for a hearty and flavorful adventure with Cowboy Soup! This classic campfire stew is packed with tender beef, fire-roasted vegetables, and a rich tomato broth seasoned with warming spices. Perfect for chilly nights or a comforting weekend meal, Cowboy Soup is easy to prepare on the stovetop or in a slow cooker.
So, wrangle up your favorite ingredients and get ready for a taste of the Wild West! This hearty meal that embodies the resourcefulness of the cowboys who roamed the frontier.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
From the smoky notes of the beef to the earthy sweetness of the beans and the bright acidity of the tomatoes, each spoonful of Cowboy Soup is an explosion of flavor and deliciousness.
- Cowboy Soup is a one-pot wonder, perfect for a cold winter day, or a busy weeknight meal.
- You can easily customize it to your liking by trying out different vegetables, spices, and even your favorite type of beans.
- This soup is surprisingly easy to make, requiring ingredients you probably already have on hand, and it's ready in less than an hour!
- It's the perfect soup to freeze in meal size portions to defrost and reheat later.
Ingredients You'll Need
This stew is a testament to the art of making a delicious meal with what you have on hand. Tender ground beef simmered with a medley of hearty vegetables like potatoes, corn, and beans creates a rich and flavorful base.
Aromatic spices like cumin, chili powder, and garlic add a touch of warmth and depth, bringing the essence of the West to life. This soup is not just delicious, it's also incredibly satisfying. Packed with nutritious, wholesome ingredients, ensuring you feel full and energized after enjoying a bowl..
- Hamburger - Start with two pounds of ground beef, the leaner the better so that theirs less grease to drain off. You can also use ground turkey, chicken, or even ground Impossible ground meat.
- Onion and garlic
- Broth
- Ranch-style beans - Use canned Ranch-style beans, which are pinto beans in a mild chili seasoning. Don't drain the can of beans though, that sauce is essential for the soup.
- Fire Roasted diced tomatoes
- Rotel -The green chilies in these diced tomatoes give your stew a mild Tex-Mex flavor. Get the mild or regular, depending on the level of heat you want your soup.
- Potatoes
- Corn
- Green Beans
- Spices
For the full list of ingredients, amounts, and cooking time, see the step-by-step instructions below, or print off the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How To Make Cowboy Soup
Simply throw all the ingredients into a pot and let them work their magic, simmering away to create a warm and comforting meal. See our step-by-step instructions below.
Brown the Ground Beef
- Add the ground beef to the deep soup pot and brown it over medium high heat.
- After the meat has browned about halfway, toss in the diced onions and minced garlic. If using granulated garlic, sprinkle it in after the onions are tender.
Add the Vegetables and Spices
- Drain the fire roasted tomatoes and add to the pot. You can drain the Rotel for a milder soup, and definitely drain the canned corn and green beans. The Ranch-style beans should not be drained. Finally, add the broth and spices.
Simmer, covered
- Bring everything in the soup pot to a boil, then lower the heat and allow to simmer for 15 - 20 minutes until the potatoes are tender.
- Serve in soup bowls with a side crusty sourdough bread, or cornbread.
Tips for Success
While this hamburger soup is a snap to make, you'll find these tips helpful:
- Try Different Meats. You can substitute bulk sausage, diced chuck steak, or even sliced smoked kielbasa sausage. You can keep everything vegetarian by using Impossible Ground Meat.
- Adjust The Heat. You can omit the Rotel for a very mild version of this stew, or add some chipotle powder to really amp the heat up!
- Make it a Stew. Depending on how much broth you add, you can have a thick stew!
- Vegetables. Canned vegetables hanging out in your pantry make this a last minute, dump and go meal. However, you can use frozen vegetables also.
- Garnishes. Depending on your taste, you can garnish with chopped fresh cilantro, shredded Cheddar cheese, or crisp fried onions.
This easy dump soup is so versatile and forgiving to make, because you can adapt it in so many ways.
Enjoy changing things up so it's perfect for you, though don't do what my son did and add some of EVERY spice in the cupboard (he was only 12, so we'll give him a pass), lol!
Serving Suggestions
So grab your spoon, saddle up your taste buds, and get ready to experience the magic of Cowboy Soup. It's a timeless dish that will leave you wanting more!
You can serve this soup as a lunch or supper, with or without sides. You'll love it with our Crisco Biscuits or Copycat Cracker Barrel Cornbread Recipe. It would also be great with the following ideas:
- Sourdough Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- Bread Machine Honey Wheat Bread
- Grinder Sandwich
- Chipotle Chicken Avocado Melt (Panera)
- Air Fryer Chicken Caesar Salad
Other than thick crusty bread, some chopped fruit, or a sandwich or salad, you can just fill up on it alone too!
Storage Options
- Once cooled completely, transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- For longer storage, you can freeze in freezer-safe containers or bags. It will last for up to 3 months.
- Tip: Portion into individual servings before freezing for easier reheating.
- To reheat, place the frozen tub of soup in the refrigerator overnight. Then, add it to a saucepan, microwave, or even a slow cooker to gently reheat.
Related Recipes
- Greek Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
- Southern Slow Cooker Collard Greens
- Cuban Chicken Fricassee
- Instant Pot Navy Bean Soup
- Panera's Tomato Soup
Equipment
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Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Cook in any slow cooker for easy crockpot cowboy soup.This stew is perfect for a slow cooker. Simply combine all the ingredients in your slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until the vegetables are tender and the meat is cooked through.
You can use lean ground beef (80/20 or 90/10) for a healthier option, or regular ground beef (70/30) for a richer flavor.
While ground beef is the most common type of meat used in this hearty stew, you can also use other types of meat, such as diced pork, shredded chicken, or cooked sausage.
More Delish Ideas
Easy Cowboy Soup Recipe
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
- 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 using chili powder or cayenne, stir it in 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 kettle.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 stew for a long enough time so that the flavors have time to meld together.
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