Cowboy Soup Recipe for Cold Weather Comfort Meals Recipe
This hearty Cowboy Soup is the perfect cold weather comfort meal, packed with lean ground beef, a variety of beans, vegetables, and warming spices. It’s a flavorful and nutritious stew that simmers gently to develop rich flavors, making it an ideal warming dish for chilly days.
- Author: Cleo
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Salt
Meat and Oil
- 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
Beans and Tomato Products
- 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
Liquids and Broth
- 4 cups low sodium beef broth or chicken broth
Spices
- 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 Toppings
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or cilantro
- Heat Oil and Brown Beef: Heat a large pot over medium heat and add the olive oil. Add the ground beef and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, breaking it apart until browned and fully cooked. Drain excess grease if needed.
- Sauté Vegetables: Stir in the diced onion, carrots, and celery and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until they are softened.
- Add Garlic: Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Toast Spices and Tomato Paste: Stir in the tomato paste, smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute to toast the spices and meld the flavors.
- Add Tomatoes, Beans, Potatoes, Corn, and Broth: Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, drained beans, cubed potatoes, frozen corn, and broth to the pot. Stir well to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
- Simmer the Soup: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let the soup simmer for 25 to 30 minutes or until the potatoes are fork-tender.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning as needed, adding more salt or pepper if desired.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve the soup warm, optionally topping with shredded cheddar cheese and chopped fresh parsley or cilantro for added flavor and color.
Notes
- You can add optional vegetables like diced zucchini and bell pepper to increase vegetable content and flavor.
- Use low sodium broth to control the salt content in the soup.
- If you prefer a spicier soup, increase the chili powder or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- The soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the ground beef and use vegetable broth instead.
Keywords: cowboy soup, beef soup, bean soup, cold weather meals, hearty soup, comfort food, ground beef soup, vegetable soup