Key Takeaways

• This hearty Texas Cowboy Stew delivers bold Southwest flavor in one pot, loaded with ground beef, kielbasa, beans, corn, and spices.
• Ready in about 90 minutes on the stovetop—perfect for weeknights—or let it slow-cook all day for even deeper taste.
• Serves 10 hungry people with minimal cleanup and big satisfaction.
• Pairs beautifully with cornbread and a crisp green salad; leftovers taste even better the next day.
• You’ll walk away with a reliable, crowd-pleasing recipe you can tweak to your family’s spice level and have on repeat all season long.

If you’ve ever craved something warm, filling, and full of that unmistakable Southwest kick on a busy night, this Texas Cowboy Stew is going to be your new best friend. I’ve made it more times than I can count—sometimes rushing it on the stove after work, other times letting it bubble away in the slow cooker while I run errands—and it never fails to hit the spot. It’s got tender potatoes, sweet corn, hearty beans, two kinds of meat, and just the right blend of cumin, chili powder, and green chilies to make everyone at the table ask for seconds.

What I love most is how forgiving the recipe is. You can have dinner on the table in roughly an hour and a half if you’re short on time, or turn it into a hands-off masterpiece by letting the slow cooker do the work. Either way, the flavors only get better the longer everything mingles.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes (stovetop)
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 10 generous bowls

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 2 pounds ground beef
• 2 pounds kielbasa sausage, sliced into ½-inch pieces
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 4 cups water
• 2 (15.2-ounce) cans whole kernel corn, with liquid
• 2 (15-ounce) cans pinto beans, with liquid
• 2 (14.5-ounce) cans peeled and diced tomatoes, drained
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chile peppers, with liquid
• 1 (10-ounce) package frozen mixed vegetables
• 4 medium baking potatoes, peeled and diced
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste

How to Make Texas Cowboy Stew (Stovetop Method)

1. Grab all your ingredients so everything is within reach—this little step makes the whole process feel effortless.
2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef for about 5 minutes until it starts to crumble but isn’t quite done.
3. Add the sliced kielbasa, chopped onion, and garlic. Keep stirring for 5–7 minutes until the beef is no longer pink, the sausage is nicely browned, and the onions turn soft and translucent. Drain off the excess grease.
4. Transfer the meat mixture to a large pot set over medium-low heat. Pour in the water, corn (liquid included), pinto beans with their liquid, drained diced tomatoes, tomatoes with green chiles (liquid and all), and the frozen mixed vegetables.
5. Stir in the diced potatoes, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Give everything a good mix so the spices coat every bite.
6. Cover and let it simmer gently, stirring occasionally, for at least 1 hour. The longer it simmers (up to 2–3 hours if you have the time), the richer and more comforting it becomes.

Pro tip for busy days: After browning the meat and onions, dump everything into your slow cooker on low for 6–8 hours. Come home to a house that smells amazing and dinner that’s practically done for you.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

• Calories: 677
• Fat: 37g
• Carbohydrates: 52g
• Protein: 35g

How to Serve It

Ladle generous portions into bowls and set out warm, buttery cornbread on the side—it soaks up the savory broth perfectly. A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette keeps things fresh and balanced. On game day or when friends drop by, this stew disappears fast.

A Few Final Thoughts
There’s something deeply satisfying about a big pot of Texas Cowboy Stew simmering on the stove or in the corner of your kitchen. It’s the kind of recipe that feels like it’s been passed down for generations, even if you just found it today. In my house, it’s become the go-to when the weather turns chilly or when life feels a little hectic—we all need those reliable meals that bring everyone together without a ton of fuss.

Give this one a try soon. Whether you make it fast on the stovetop or let it slow-cook while you tackle your to-do list, I promise it’ll deliver the same hearty, soul-warming comfort every single time. And the best part? The leftovers (if you’re lucky enough to have any) taste even better the next day. Enjoy every spoonful—you’ve earned it.

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