Cowboy Soup | Hearty & Amazing One-Pot Comfort

Cold nights call for warm bowls, and this Cowboy Soup does the job perfectly. It’s smoky, filling, and full of down-home flavor. Picture ground beef simmering with tender potatoes, beans, corn, and spices the kind of meal that fills your kitchen with that “someone’s cooking something amazing” aroma. Plus, it’s quick, hearty, and ready for seconds.

Why You’ll Love This Cowboy Soup

This Cowboy Soup is rich, thick, and deeply comforting. The blend of ground beef, vegetables, and spices creates a perfectly balanced bowl that feels like a hug after a long day. You can make it on the stovetop, in a crockpot, or even in an Instant Pot. It’s simple to prepare, feeds a crowd, and reheats beautifully for lunch the next day. You can even make it ahead for easy weeknight meals or meal prep.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll gather before starting:

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

Optional toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, green onions, tortilla chips, or Fritos.

Each ingredient plays its part: potatoes give body, beans and corn add heartiness, and tomato paste ties it all together. Nutritionally, one serving has about 449 calories, 39g of protein, and 10g of fiber plenty of fuel for a busy day.

How to Make Cowboy Soup

Step 1 – Sauté the Aromatics

Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high. Add diced onion and celery, stirring for 2–3 minutes until soft. Add minced garlic and cook for one minute, just until fragrant.

Step 2 – Brown the Beef

Add ground beef to the pot. Break it up as it cooks until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat if needed, then return it to the pot.

Step 3 – Build the Soup Base

Stir in potatoes, carrots, green beans, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, beans, corn, Italian seasoning, paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Pour in 4 cups of beef broth. Mix well so every spoonful tastes complete.

Step 4 – Simmer Until Tender

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer about 15 minutes or until potatoes are fork-tender. If the soup thickens too much, add more broth until it’s just right.

Step 5 – Finish and Serve

Taste and adjust the seasonings. Ladle into bowls and top with cheese, sour cream, or crunchy chips. Serve hot and enjoy the smoky flavor and hearty texture.

Variations and Substitutions

Cowboy Soup is flexible. You can swap beef for ground turkey or sausage, use kidney beans instead of black-eyed peas, or even throw in leftover veggies. For a low-carb version, replace potatoes with cauliflower. Want more heat? Add jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne.

Expert Tips for the Best Cowboy Soup

Use frozen mirepoix to save time. Check the potatoes early to avoid mushiness. Letting the soup sit overnight deepens its flavor it’s somehow even better the next day. When reheating, add a splash of broth to bring it back to its perfect texture.

Crockpot and Instant Pot Instructions

Crockpot: Brown the beef first, then add all ingredients. Cook 6–8 hours on low or 5–6 on high.

Instant Pot: Use the sauté function to cook veggies and beef. Add remaining ingredients, lock the lid, and pressure cook for 15 minutes. Use quick release, stir, and adjust seasoning. Both methods give you a thick, cozy soup with tender veggies and deep flavor.

Make-Ahead, Storage, and Freezing

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge. To freeze, cool completely and store up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before reheating. The soup thickens as it cools, so add broth while reheating to bring it back to life. It’s a great make-ahead option for meal prep, and the flavors get richer after a night’s rest.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Such Recipes

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• summer corn chowder soup with fresh vegetables
• easy crock pot chicken pot pie with creamy filling
• simple and comforting garlic herb roasted vegetables
• flavorful cowboy butter chicken linguine
• creamy ranch chicken for effortless weeknight meals

Conclusion

This Cowboy Soup brings comfort, ease, and big flavor all in one pot. It’s perfect for busy nights, big families, or anyone who loves a filling meal with simple ingredients. Every spoonful is warm, smoky, and satisfying just the way good homemade soup should be. Share it, store it, or freeze it; it’s a recipe that always delivers.

Find more recipe inspiration and cozy ideas on Pinterest and Facebook.

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