Dinner

Cowboy Soup Recipe

Name: Cowboy Soup Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 medium yellow onion, diced; 3 stalks celery, diced; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 lb Yukon gold potatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces; 4 carrots, peeled and sliced; 1 can green beans, drained; 1 can diced tomatoes with juices; 1 can black-eyed peas, drained; 1 can corn, drained; 2 lbs ground beef; 4-6 cups beef broth; 3 tablespoons tomato paste; 2 tablespoons olive oil; Italian seasoning, to taste; Smoked paprika, to taste; Chili powder, to taste; Salt, to taste; Pepper, to taste

ByLila Prescott March 30, 2026March 30, 2026

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Introduction

Cowboy Soup is a hearty and flavorful meal that brings together ground beef, vegetables, and smoky spices in a comforting bowl. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe is ready in just 30 minutes and serves six, making it ideal for families or meal prep.

The image shows a close-up of a bowl filled with beef stew. The stew has several layers and colors: chunks of brown cooked ground beef, yellow potato pieces, orange carrot slices, and bright red tomato chunks mixed in a rich, thick, dark brown broth. Small green herb leaves float on top, adding a fresh touch. The bowl is white, placed 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)

4 carrots (peeled and sliced)
1 can green beans (drained)
3 tablespoons tomato paste

1 can diced tomatoes (with juices)
1 can black-eyed peas (drained)
1 can corn (drained)

4-6 cups beef broth
Italian seasoning (to taste)
Smoked paprika (to taste)

Chili powder (to taste)
Salt (to taste)
Pepper (to taste)

Instructions

Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and celery; sauté until soft. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute.
Step 2: Add the ground beef and cook until browned with no pink remaining. Stir in the potatoes, carrots, green beans, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, black-eyed peas, corn, and 4 cups of beef broth along with Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
Step 3: Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 14–16 minutes or until the potatoes are fork-tender.

Step 4: Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot with your favorite toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, or chopped green onions.

Tips & Variations

For extra depth of flavor, brown the beef in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
Feel free to swap ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.

Add a dash of hot sauce or cayenne pepper if you prefer a spicier soup.
Use fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary instead of Italian seasoning for a twist.
Leftover soup can be thickened by simmering uncovered or thinned with additional broth.

Storage

Store leftover cowboy soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove over medium heat, stirring occasionally. For longer storage, freeze the soup in portioned containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

The dish is a stew with several layers visible. The bottom layer is a rich, dark brown broth that looks thick and hearty. On top of the broth are bright yellow potato chunks and orange carrot slices, both soft and slightly shiny. There are also small pieces of ground brown meat scattered evenly throughout. Red tomato pieces add color and texture between the meat and vegetables. Some small green herbs are sprinkled on top, adding a fresh touch. The dish is shown close up with a white marbled surface in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make cowboy soup in a slow cooker?

Yes, you can brown the beef and sauté the vegetables first, then add all ingredients to a slow cooker. 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 cheddar cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions, fresh cilantro, or crushed tortilla chips for added texture and flavor.