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Cowboy Soup Recipe for Cold Weather Comfort Meals Recipe

4.6 from 72 reviews

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. Sauté Vegetables: Stir in the diced onion, carrots, and celery and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until they are softened.
  3. Add Garlic: Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. Adjust Seasoning: Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning as needed, adding more salt or pepper if desired.
  8. 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