Cowboy Soup Recipe

Introduction

Cowboy Soup is a hearty and flavorful stew packed with vegetables, ground beef, and wholesome spices. This easy one-pot dish cooks in about 30 minutes and serves a crowd, making it perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.

The image shows a thick soup filled with multiple layers of ingredients in a rich red broth. Visible layers include small chunks of golden yellow potatoes, bright orange carrot slices, green celery pieces, and crumbled brown ground meat scattered throughout. There are also bits of red bell pepper and tomato adding to the texture and color variety. A white ladle is lifting a scoop of the soup, showing a concentrated mix of these colorful ingredients against the glossy red background of broth with visible seasonings. The overall look is hearty and vibrant, set on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 stalks celery, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 lbs ground beef
  • 1 lb Yukon Gold potatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces (about 4 medium potatoes)
  • 4 carrots, peeled and sliced into rounds
  • 1 (14.5-ounce) can green beans, drained
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes with juices
  • 1 (15-ounce) can black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 (15-ounce) can corn, drained
  • 4-6 cups beef broth (6 cups recommended)
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • Salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste
  • Toppings as desired (see notes)

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and celery and cook for 2-3 minutes until soft and translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until browned and no pink remains. Stir in the potatoes, carrots, green beans, tomato paste, diced tomatoes with juices, black-eyed peas, corn, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, chili powder, and 4 cups of beef broth. Mix well to combine. Add up to 2 more cups of broth to reach your desired soup consistency.
  3. Step 3: Increase the heat to high and bring the soup to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and let it simmer for 14-16 minutes until the potatoes are fork-tender. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes as needed.
  4. Step 4: Serve hot with your favorite toppings such as shredded cheese, sour cream, or chopped green onions.

Tips & Variations

  • For a smoky kick, try adding cooked bacon or smoked sausage instead of ground beef.
  • Use fire-roasted diced tomatoes for extra depth of flavor.
  • Swap black-eyed peas for pinto or kidney beans if preferred.
  • Vegetarian? Replace beef with mushrooms and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.

Storage

Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove or covered in the microwave until warmed through. This soup also freezes well; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

A close-up view of a thick stew filled with vibrant ingredients, showing about three layers of ingredients in a white ladle at the center. The bottom layer is a rich, deep red tomato broth with visible herbs and spices. Floating within the broth are chunks of golden yellow potatoes, bright orange carrot slices, small green celery pieces, and bits of ground meat with a crumbly texture. The stew pieces are mixed and covered by the liquid, showing a shiny, oily surface that reflects light. The background is also filled with the same stew, creating a warm, hearty look on a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this soup in a slow cooker?

Yes, after browning the beef and sautéing the vegetables, transfer everything to a slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the potatoes are tender.

What toppings go well with Cowboy Soup?

Popular toppings include shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions, fresh cilantro, or crushed tortilla chips for added texture and flavor.

Print

Cowboy Soup Recipe

A hearty and flavorful Cowboy Soup loaded with ground beef, potatoes, vegetables, and spices, simmered to perfection in a Dutch oven. Perfect for a comforting family meal that’s easy to prepare in about 30 minutes.

  • Author: luca
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Category: Soup
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables & Aromatics

  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 stalks celery, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 lb Yukon Gold potatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces (about 4 medium potatoes)
  • 4 carrots, peeled and sliced into rounds
  • 1 (14.5-ounce) can green beans, drained

Meat & Broth

  • 2 lbs ground beef
  • 46 cups beef broth (6 cups recommended)

Canned Goods & Paste

  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes with juices
  • 1 (15-ounce) can black eyed peas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 (15-ounce) can corn, drained

Seasonings & Oil

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • Salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste

Toppings

  • Desired toppings such as chopped fresh herbs, shredded cheese, sour cream, or green onions (optional)

Instructions

  1. Sauté aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until hot. Add diced onion and celery, cooking for 2-3 minutes until soft and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  2. Brown beef and add ingredients: Add ground beef to the pot and cook until no pink remains, breaking it up as it cooks. Stir in tomato paste, diced tomatoes with juices, black eyed peas, corn, green beans, potatoes, carrots, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Pour in 4 cups of beef broth and mix well. Add up to 2 more cups of broth to adjust the soup’s consistency as desired.
  3. Simmer the soup: Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and let the soup simmer for 14-16 minutes until the potatoes are fork-tender. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes if necessary.
  4. Serve and store: Serve the soup hot, topped with your choice of optional toppings. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through.

Notes

  • Use a large Dutch oven or heavy pot for best results and even cooking.
  • Adjust the amount of beef broth to reach your preferred soup consistency.
  • Optional toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped fresh herbs, or green onions add extra flavor and texture.
  • Reheat leftovers gently to maintain the soup’s flavor and texture.
  • This soup can be made spicier by increasing the chili powder and red pepper flakes.

Keywords: Cowboy soup, beef soup, hearty soup, easy soup recipe, ground beef soup, vegetable soup, one-pot meal

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