Easy Cowboy Soup

Saddle up and dig into this mouthwatering cowboy soup that's sure to hit the spot after a long day. Packed with flavor and nutritious ingredients, this soup is perfect for a crowd, and you can have it on the table in just 45 minutes!

This hearty cowboy soup is brimming with nutritious ingredients and bold flavors, making it the ultimate comfort food for a wholesome and satisfying meal.

The best part? It's incredibly simple to prepare, perfect for those busy weeknights when you want something delicious without a lot of fuss.

The robust combination of ground beef, beans, and spices will instantly transport you to a cozy, rustic setting.

And just like the cowboys had to make do with what they had on hand, you can add whatever you have in your pantry to make this soup your own.

Why you'll love this cowboy soup

• Packed with nutrition — This soup is loaded with wholesome ingredients like lean ground beef, beans, and vegetables.
• Bold and comforting flavors — The mix of chili powder, cumin, and oregano creates a rich and savory flavor profile that will keep you coming back for more.
• Adaptable and versatile — You can easily adjust the spices to suit your taste buds or swap out ingredients based on what's available in your pantry.

What goes into cowboy hamburger soup

Olive oil — This recipe starts with sautéing the onion in a bit of olive oil. However, you can substitute it with avocado, canola, or vegetable oil if you prefer.

Onion — Any type of onion will work here: red, white, or yellow. You can even use shallots for a milder flavor.

Lean ground beef — I used lean ground beef for a low-fat soup, but you can substitute it with ground turkey or chicken for an even leaner option.

Alternatively, you can use a plant-based ground meat alternative for a vegan version.

Red pointed pepper — The red pointed pepper adds a sweet and slightly tangy flavor to the soup. Use any bell pepper you may have, or add your favorite frozen mixed vegetables.

Garlic + jalapeño — Fresh garlic and jalapeño add a kick of flavor to the soup. You can adjust the amount of jalapeño based on your heat preference or even use canned green chilies for a milder option.

Spices — The combination of mild chili powder, ground cumin, and dried oregano gives this cowboy soup its signature flavor. Feel free to adjust the spice levels to your liking or experiment with different spice blends.

Canned ingredients — This recipe uses canned diced tomatoes, taco mixed beans, green beans, and sweetcorn for convenience. You can substitute fresh ingredients or use other canned vegetables like kidney beans, black beans, pinto beans, ranch-style beans or rotel tomatoes if you prefer.

Beef stock — The beef stock adds depth to the soup, but you can also use vegetable or chicken stock for a different flavor.

How to make a hearty cowboy soup

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat and sauté the onions for 4-5 minutes or until translucent.

Add the lean ground beef to the pot and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through.

Stir in the red pointed pepper, finely chopped garlic cloves, and jalapeño, and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the pepper begins to soften.

Add the mild chili powder, ground cumin, and dried oregano to the pot, stirring to evenly coat the beef and vegetables in the spices.

Next, add the canned diced tomatoes, taco mixed beans, green beans, and sweetcorn, and stir to combine.

Add the beef broth to the pot and bring the soup to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and let it cook for 15-20 minutes.

Season the soup with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Serve the cowboy soup hot with a side of crusty bread or tortilla chips.

Can you make cowboy soup in the slow cooker?

While the stovetop version is already simple to make, you can also prepare this delicious soup using a slow cooker.

Here's how to do it:

1. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onion and cook until translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Transfer the cooked onion to the slow cooker.
2. In the same skillet, cook the lean ground beef until browned, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks. Drain the excess fat, then transfer the cooked beef to the slow cooker.
3. Add all the other ingredients to the slow cooker and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
4. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.

Leftovers and storage

• Once the cowboy soup has cooled down, transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
• To reheat the soup, warm it in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. You can also heat individual portions in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
• This soup freezes well for up to 3 months. To reheat, let the soup thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then heat it up in a saucepan over low heat or in the microwave.

Recipe notes and tips

• Serve your cowboy soup with a dollop of sour cream, a sprinkle of shredded cheese, or a handful of crushed tortilla chips for added flavor and texture.
• Add more vegetables, such as diced carrots, celery, or zucchini, to increase the soup's nutritional value and create a more substantial meal.
• Add some tomato paste if you want a more pronounced tomato flavor.
• If you prefer a thicker soup, more in the lines of a Texas cowboy stew, you can either mash some of the beans before adding them to the pot or dissolve 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch in a small amount of cold water and stir it into the soup during the last few minutes of cooking.
• For a spicier soup, increase the amount of jalapeño or chili powder, or add a pinch of cayenne pepper. Conversely, if you prefer a milder flavor, reduce or omit the jalapeño and adjust the chili powder to taste.

If you liked this easy cowboy soup, you might also like some of my other easy soup recipes:

• Creamy Italian Sausage Gnocchi Soup
• Easy Italian Meatball Soup
• Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
• Green Chili Chicken Soup
• Kielbasa Potato Soup

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