Hearty Crock Pot Cowboy Soup

A flavorful, protein-packed, dump-and-go slow cooker meal inspired by classic western chuckwagon cooking.

⭐ Ingredients (Serves 6–8)

Meat & Broth

1 lb ground beef (or turkey), browned and drained
4 cups beef broth
1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
1 (10 oz) can Ro-Tel (or diced tomatoes with green chilies)

Vegetables

3 medium potatoes, diced
2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced

Beans & Corn

1 (15 oz) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15 oz) can black beans or kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15 oz) can corn, drained

Seasonings

1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (optional)

Optional Add-Ins

1 cup cooked pasta (added at the end)
1 teaspoon hot sauce
½ cup sliced smoked sausage
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley

🔪 Instructions

1. Brown the Meat

In a skillet, cook ground beef with onions until browned.
Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
Drain excess fat.

(This step adds flavor but can be skipped if using very lean beef.)

2. Add to the Crock Pot

To the slow cooker, add:

browned beef mixture
broth
diced tomatoes
Ro-Tel
potatoes
frozen vegetables
beans
corn
all seasonings

Stir well.

3. Slow Cook

Cook on:

LOW for 6–8 hours, or
HIGH for 3–4 hours

Potatoes should be tender and the soup nicely thickened.

4. Adjust and Serve

Taste and adjust seasoning. Add:

cooked pasta (if using)
fresh parsley

Serve hot with:
🥖 cornbread
🧀 shredded cheese
🥣 a dollop of sour cream
🌶 hot sauce

✨ Tips for the Best Cowboy Soup

✔ Brown your meat

This adds deep, hearty flavor and prevents grease.

✔ Use Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes

They hold their shape without getting mushy.

✔ Want it thicker?

Mash a few potatoes into the broth during the last hour.

✔ Make it smoky

Add ½ cup sliced smoked sausage or a splash of liquid smoke.

✔ Make it creamy

Stir in ½ cup heavy cream or a can of cream-style corn at the end.

🔄 Variations

Cowboy Hamburger Stew

Use only ground beef and add ½ cup tomato sauce.

Cowboy Chili Soup

Add extra chili powder + a can of chili beans.

Southwestern Cowboy Soup

Use black beans, add corn tortillas cut in strips.

High-Protein Version

Add extra beans and omit potatoes.

Vegetarian Cowboy Soup

Use plant-based “beef,” veggie broth, and extra beans.

🧊 Storage

Refrigerator: 4 days
Freezer: 2–3 months
Thaw overnight and reheat gently.