Cowboy Stew Recipe Crock Pot

If yo are looking for a high-protein meal. I would suggest you to try cowboy stew. The cowboy stew recipe being tasty is a perfect dish for a cold day.

Traditionally, cowboy stew is a tasty and flavorful stew that is prepared with veggies, beans, beef, and spices. Being a popular dish in the American West, it is believed to have evolved with the cowboys cooking it over campfires.

Cowboy stew is still a popular dish because of its comforting flavors, rich history, and flexibility to fit into modern kitchens. It continues to be enjoyed by nature lovers, families, and anyone who is looking for a great taste of the American west.

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT THIS RECIPE

• Easy to prepare: Since cowboy stew needs only one pot, cleanup is minimal. In addition, no advanced technique or ingredient is needed.

• Versatility: You can customize the cowboy stew according to the way you want. For instance, the amount of spices can be varied or you can include different beans and vegetables.

• Hearty and flavorful: Cowboy stew contains protein from beans and beef and also it gets the flavor from various spices like cumin, chili powder, smoky paprika, etc.

• Crowd Pleaser: It is one of those long-time favorite dishes among kids and adults. It can be considered an ideal meal for cold winter or any kind of gathering.    

COWBOY STEW RECIPE NOTES

Here are some extra notes that need to be keep in mind for preparation of cowboy stew:

• Choose the right ground beef: For a rich flavor, make sure to choose beef with a high-fat content.
• Drain the beans: Draining and rinsing the beans help eliminate extra sodium and prevent them from making the stew mushy.
• Use diced tomatoes: Diced tomatoes are an easy option, but you can also use crushed tomatoes or whole tomatoes that you have chopped yourself.   

• Adjust the seasoning: You can adjust the seasonings like chili powder, paprika, pepper, or salt according to your own taste. 
• Cook until the potatoes are soft: Make sure to cook until the potatoes are soft but not mushy.

STORING AND FREEZING

Here are some storing and freezing tips for cowboy stew:

STORING

• Cool completely: Before placing the cooked stew in the refrigerator, allow it to cool at room temperature. It reduces the growth of bacteria which may cause food spoilage.
• Transfer to the air-tight container: After cooling, you can transfer the stew to plastic storage or a glass bowl. It helps in maintaining the flavor and freshness of the dish.
• Refrigerate promptly: After cooking the stew for two hours, make sure to refrigerate it. It helps in reducing the growth of bacteria and keeps the stew safe for eating.
• Refrigerated shelf life: By proper refrigeration, you can keep the stew for up to 3-4 days.

FREEZING

• Cool and portion: Let the stew cool completely and then divide it into little portions which is suitable for serving the individual person.
• Freeze-safe container: Make sure to choose freeze-safe containers like heavy-duty container freezer bags or air-tight containers.
• Leave hand space: Keep about an inch of hand space above the stew while transferring the stew to the containers, it helps in expansion during freezing.
• Label and freeze: You can put the contents and dates of each container. The containers must be labeled before placing them in the freezer, it helps in avoiding leakage.
• Frozen shelf life: You can store the cowboy stew for up to 2-3 months.  

PRO TIPS FOR COWBOY STEW

• For a spicier taste of the stew, you can add cayenne pepper or chili powder.
• In the absence of diced potatoes, you can use sweet potatoes or cubed russet potatoes.
• For an extra touch of flavor, you can add vegetables like carrots, celery, or black peppers.

• You can serve the stew with rice or side of crusty bread.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH COWBOY STEW?

Here are the dishes you can serve with cowboy stew:

• Cornbread: It is a great addition to cowboy stew. It gives a slightly sweet and crunchy contrast to the cowboy stew. It’s an ideal way to soak all delicious juices.
• Biscuits: Buttermilk biscuits are a fantastic choice for cowboy stew. Being buttery and fluffy, they help in soaking the juice of the stew.
• Mashed potatoes: Mashed potatoes work well with cowboy stew. Being satisfying and creamy, it provides richness in the dish.

• Rice: You can consider rice as a great side dish for cowboy stew. It provides an additional carbohydrate to your meal.
• Green Salad: You can consider this as a healthy and refreshing side dish. It helps in adding some additional veggies to your dish.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, cowboy stew is a delightful and tasty meal that is suitable for a cold day. You can prepare it in crockpot, which makes it a perfect dish for a weeknight.

The meal contains beef, vegetables, sausages, and beans which makes it a great source of vitamins and minerals. You can also customize the meal according to the way you like.

You can serve it with side dishes like biscuits, rice, salad, or mashed potatoes. So, next time you are looking for a comforting and warm dish make sure to the cowboy stew.

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