Texas Cowboy Stew for Christmas Dinner Recipe
This hearty Texas Cowboy Stew is a flavorful and filling dish perfect for a festive Christmas dinner. Packed with ground beef, kielbasa sausage, a medley of vegetables, and a perfect blend of spices, this stew combines robust Texan flavors with comforting warmth. It’s a one-pot meal that delivers on taste and satisfaction, ideal for cold winter evenings.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Stew
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Texan, American
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Sausage
- 2 lb ground beef
- 2 packages kielbasa sausage, sliced into ½ inch pieces
Vegetables and Beans
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 (14.5 oz) cans peeled and diced tomatoes, drained
- 4 medium baking potatoes, peeled and diced
- 2 (15 oz) cans pinto beans, with liquid
- 1 (15.2 oz) can whole kernel corn, drained
- 2 (14.5 oz) cans diced tomatoes with green chile pepper, with liquid
- 1 (10 oz) package frozen mixed vegetables
Liquids and Seasonings
- 4 cups water
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Brown the Meat: In a large heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, add the ground beef and kielbasa sausage slices. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat is browned and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary to avoid greasiness.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add minced garlic and chopped onion to the pot with the browned meat. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the onions become translucent and fragrant, stirring to prevent burning.
- Add Tomatoes and Spices: Stir in the drained peeled and diced tomatoes, diced tomatoes with green chile peppers (including liquid), ground cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine all flavors.
- Add Vegetables and Beans: Incorporate the diced baking potatoes, pinto beans with their liquid, drained corn, and frozen mixed vegetables. Stir the stew thoroughly ensuring all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Add Water and Simmer: Pour in 4 cups of water and bring the stew to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover with a lid, and let it simmer gently for about 45-50 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and make sure potatoes are tender.
- Final Seasoning and Serve: After simmering, taste the stew and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or chili powder if desired. Serve warm and enjoy your hearty Texas Cowboy Stew, perfect for a comforting Christmas dinner gathering.
Notes
- The stew can be made a day ahead; flavors will deepen overnight if refrigerated.
- For a spicier stew, add diced jalapeños or increase chili powder.
- If you prefer a thicker stew, mash some of the potatoes while simmering to naturally thicken the broth.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Use low-sodium canned beans and tomatoes to reduce the sodium content.
Keywords: Texas cowboy stew, ground beef stew, kielbasa stew, hearty stew recipe, Christmas stew, Texan stew, pinto bean stew, winter stew recipe