Cowboy Soup Recipe
Cowboy Soup is a hearty, flavorful soup loaded with ground beef, potatoes, vegetables, and a blend of savory seasonings. This one-pot meal is perfect for warming up on chilly days and offers a comforting combination of textures and spices with a rich beef broth base.
- Author: Rita
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Main 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 (about 4 medium potatoes)
- 4 carrots, peeled and sliced into rounds
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can green beans, drained
- 3 Tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes with juices
- 1 (15-ounce) can black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15-ounce) can corn, drained
- 4–6 cups beef broth (6 cups recommended)
Seasonings
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- Salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste
Toppings (Optional)
- Shredded cheese
- Chopped green onions
- Sour cream
- Fresh cilantro
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the diced onion and celery, cooking for 2-3 minutes until softened and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Brown the Meat: Add the ground beef to the pot, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until no pink remains. This ensures the beef is fully cooked and forms the hearty base of the soup.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Stir in the potatoes, carrots, green beans, tomato paste, diced tomatoes with juices, black-eyed peas, corn, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Pour in 4 cups of the beef broth and mix everything well. Add additional broth (up to 2 more cups) to reach your desired soup consistency.
- Simmer the Soup: Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and let simmer for 14-16 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender and all flavors have melded together. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Serve and Store: Ladle the hot soup into bowls and top with your favorite toppings such as shredded cheese, chopped green onions, sour cream, or fresh cilantro. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stovetop or microwave until warmed through.
Notes
- You can customize toppings to your liking—try cheese, sour cream, or fresh herbs for added flavor and texture.
- If you prefer a thicker soup, reduce the amount of broth or simmer uncovered briefly to thicken.
- For a spicier kick, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or chili powder.
- Make sure to rinse and drain canned beans and corn to reduce sodium content and improve flavor.
- This soup freezes well—store leftovers in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.
Keywords: Cowboy Soup, Beef Soup, Hearty Soup, One-pot meal, Fall recipes, Winter soup, Ground beef recipe