Description
Cowboy stew simmers with rustic charm, blending robust beef, vegetables, and spices into a satisfying one-pot meal. Hearty flavors and simple ingredients promise comfort that draws you straight to the soul of Western home cooking.
Ingredients
Scale
Meats:
- 1 lb (0.45 kg) ground beef
Vegetables and Beans:
- 4 medium potatoes, diced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 cup (240 ml) frozen corn
- 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) diced tomatoes
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Seasonings:
- 1 can (8 oz / 227 g) tomato sauce
- 1 cup (240 ml) beef broth
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Thoroughly sear ground beef in a skillet until completely browned, carefully eliminating any surplus fat.
- Transfer the cooked meat to the crockpot, creating a robust foundation for the hearty stew.
- Layer chunky potatoes, vibrant kidney beans, rich pinto beans, and juicy diced tomatoes into the slow cooker.
- Incorporate tomato sauce, diced onions, sweet corn kernels, and minced garlic to build complex flavor layers.
- Infuse the mixture with a fragrant blend of spices: warm chili powder, smoky paprika, earthy cumin, and essential salt and pepper.
- Gently pour beef broth over the ingredients, ensuring all components are well-integrated and moistened.
- Secure the crockpot lid and allow the stew to simmer slowly, developing deep flavors and tenderizing ingredients.
- For a slower cooking method, set the crockpot to low and let the stew meld for 6-8 hours; alternatively, use high heat for 3-4 hours.
- Verify potato tenderness and overall seasoning, making final adjustments to ensure a perfectly balanced, comforting meal.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and make the stew healthier.
- Opt for low-sodium beef broth to control salt intake for those watching their sodium levels.
- Swap kidney beans with black beans or white beans for variety and different nutrient profiles.
- Dice potatoes into uniform sizes to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the stew.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg