Cowboy Soup Recipe for Cold Weather Comfort Meals Recipe

Introduction

This hearty Cowboy Soup is the perfect meal for chilly days, packed with ground beef, beans, vegetables, and warming spices. It’s a comforting, flavorful stew that comes together easily and feeds a crowd.

Ingredients

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 2 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 ounces) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 4 cups low sodium beef broth or chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup frozen corn
• Optional: 1 cup diced zucchini
• Optional: 1/2 cup diced bell pepper
• Optional: 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• Optional: 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or cilantro

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat a large pot over medium heat and add olive oil.
2. Step 2: Add ground beef and cook 5 to 7 minutes, breaking apart until browned and fully cooked. Drain excess grease if needed.
3. Step 3: Stir in diced onion, carrots, and celery and cook 4 to 5 minutes until softened.
4. Step 4: Add minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Step 5: Stir in tomato paste, smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Cook 1 minute to toast the spices.
6. Step 6: Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans, pinto beans, cubed potatoes, corn, and broth. Stir well to combine. Add diced zucchini and bell pepper if using.
7. Step 7: Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer 25 to 30 minutes until potatoes are fork tender.
8. Step 8: Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
9. Step 9: Serve warm and top with shredded cheddar cheese or fresh herbs if desired.

Tips & Variations

• For a spicier kick, add a diced jalapeño or a pinch of cayenne pepper with the spices.
• Use ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option instead of ground beef.
• Add extra vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini to boost the nutrition and flavor.
• For thicker soup, mash some of the potatoes after cooking or reduce the broth slightly.

Storage

Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally. This soup also freezes well for up to 3 months—thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this soup in a slow cooker?

Yes, brown the ground beef and sauté the vegetables first, then add all ingredients to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours until vegetables are tender.

Can I use canned corn instead of frozen?

Absolutely. Drain canned corn well and add it along with the beans and other canned ingredients in step 6.

Cowboy Soup Recipe for Cold Weather Comfort Meals Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 77 reviews

This hearty Cowboy Soup is the perfect cold weather comfort meal loaded with lean ground beef, beans, vegetables, and warming spices. It’s a budget-friendly, protein-packed soup simmered on the stovetop to tender perfection and finished with optional cheese or fresh herbs for added flavor.

• Author: Mick
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Soup
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Oils

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Vegetables

• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 2 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 cup frozen corn
• Optional: 1 cup diced zucchini
• Optional: 1/2 cup diced bell pepper

Canned Goods

• 1 can 15 ounces kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can 15 ounces pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes
• 1 can 8 ounces tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste

Broth and Spices

• 4 cups low sodium beef broth or chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Optional Garnishes

• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or cilantro

Instructions

1. Heat the Pot: Heat a large pot over medium heat and add olive oil.
2. Cook the Ground Beef: Add ground beef to the pot and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, breaking apart the meat until it is browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess grease if necessary.
3. Sauté Vegetables: Stir in diced onions, carrots, and celery. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes until the vegetables soften.
4. Add Garlic: Add minced garlic to the pot and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Toast Spices: Stir in tomato paste, smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Cook the mixture for 1 minute to toast the spices and develop flavor.
6. Add Remaining Ingredients: Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans, pinto beans, cubed potatoes, frozen corn, and broth. Stir everything together well.
7. Simmer the Soup: Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork tender.
8. Adjust Seasoning: Taste the soup and adjust seasoning as needed to suit your preference.
9. Serve and Garnish: Serve the soup warm and optionally top with shredded cheddar cheese or chopped fresh parsley or cilantro for added flavor and color.

Notes

• You can add optional diced zucchini or bell pepper along with the other vegetables for extra nutrition and color.
• Use low sodium broth to control the salt level in the soup.
• For a vegetarian version, omit the ground beef and use vegetable broth instead.
• This soup stores well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and freezes nicely for up to 2 months.
• Feel free to adjust the spice levels by adding more chili powder if you prefer a spicier flavor.
• Use fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro just before serving to keep their bright flavor.

Keywords: cowboy soup, ground beef soup, bean soup, hearty soup, cold weather meals, comfort food, easy soup recipe