Cowboy Soup is made using simple ingredients like ground beef, pinto beans, and mixed vegetables. Everything is slow cooked in a rich flavorful broth. Pair this hearty soup with your favorite cornbread recipe and enjoy on a cool chilly evening.

Now that it’s getting cooler out, it’s time to pull out the slow cooker and make this comforting cowboy soup. This recipe has been my go to lately because it’s extremely easy to make and requires little prep work.

Plus I’ve been using crock pot liners which make clean up a breeze. Set it and forget about it for 2-3 hours until it’s done. It doesn’t get easier than that.

TO MAKE COWBOY SOUP, YOU WILL NEED

1 lb ground beef
1 onion chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
4 cups beef broth
1 can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 14 oz can diced tomatoes, drained
2 cups chopped potatoes
1 4 oz can diced green chilis
1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
1 cup frozen corn
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
salt and pepper, to taste

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

HOW DO YOU MAKE COWBOY SOUP?

Step 1: Line your crock pot with a plastic liner for easy clean up. (optional)

Step 2: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown ground beef, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks. Once all the beef is browned, drain any excess grease. Place the ground meat into the crock pot.

Step 3: Add chopped onion, minced garlic, beef broth, pinto beans, tomatoes, potatoes, green chiles, frozen mixed vegetables, frozen corn, cumin, chili pepper, salt and pepper to the crock pot.

Step 4: Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 2-3 hours or on high for 1-2 hours. The longer you cook it, the more the flavors will meld together. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning as needed.

Step 5: Serve the hearty crockpot cowboy soup topped with shredded cheese, hot sauce, a dollop of sour cream and chopped green onions.

Step 6: Enjoy your freshly made Cowboy Soup!

RECIPE NOTES AND HELPFUL TIPS:

The part of this recipe that takes the most time is the prep work. If you do all of that ahead of time, making this will be a breeze. Prep all the vegetables and open canned goods before starting and everything that comes after will be a breeze.

A good-quality beef broth is going to make a big difference when it comes to the flavor of the soup. Try a homemade option using leftover beef bones for a rich, savory base.

This soup doesn’t take a long time to cook. We’re talking 2-3 hours on low, max. Be wary that you don’t overcook, especially if you’re using lean ground beef which may toughen over time. You also want vegetables that still have a little bite and not ones that are disintegrating.

Taste the soup about halfway through the cooking time to check the seasoning. You can adjust the salt, pepper, or add more spices if needed. This allows time for the ingredients to start to come together so you have a better idea of what you need, if anything.

The toppings mentioned above are totally optional. Feel free to customize these using only the ones you want or none at all. If you have a get together, I suggest having little bowls set out with different toppings so everyone can customize their own bowl.

If you’ve never used a slow cooker liner, you’re missing out. It makes clean up so easy! They also prevent any food from sticking to the sides of the crock pot.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION:

Yield: 6 | Estimate the nutritional information for each serving:

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs):

1. What is Cowboy Soup made of?

The most common ingredients found in cowboy soup are beef, beans, corn, tomatoes, and mixed vegetables with beef broth.

2. Do I have to use a slow cooker?

No, you don’t have to use a slow cooker to slowly cook this soup. You can use a large pot or dutch oven. Place the soup over medium heat and cover. Bring to a slow simmer and cook for 1-2 hours.

3. How do I store and reheat leftover Cowboy Soup?

Before storing, allow the soup to cool. Once cooled, place in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. For longer term storage, you can freeze the soup for up to 3 months. Be sure to thaw before reheating.

To reheat, place the soup in a microwave safe container. Refrigerate for 30 second increments stirring in between until fully heated through.

4. Can you put raw beef in the slow cooker?

Yes. You can put raw beef in the slow cooker but I don’t recommend putting ground beef in with all the other ingredients without browning first.

If you put raw ground beef in with all the ingredients it’ll be quite a while before it’s coked. You’ll also have to stir frequently to ensure it breaks up evenly. This will result in very fine textured beef and excess fat in the soup. That’s why I recommend you brown the beef before adding.

Let’s Make This Cowboy Soup!

And there you have it – this easy, hearty Cowboy Soup is ready to take its place on your table. If you decide to give it a shot, make sure to snap a photo and share it with us on Facebook and Pinterest.

Be sure to follow us for more yummy recipes in the future. Until next time, happy cooking!

Easy And Hearty Cowboy Soup

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Serves: 6 Prep Time: 20 Mins

Nutrition facts: calories fat

Rating: 5.0/5

( 1 voted )

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
1 onion chopped
4 garlic cloves minced
4 cups beef broth
1 can pinto beans rinsed and drained
1 14 oz can diced tomatoes drained
2 cups chopped potatoes
1 4 oz can diced green chilis
1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
1 cup frozen corn
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
salt and pepper to taste to taste

Instructions