Cowboy Soup

Cowboy Soup is a hearty, comforting one-pot meal that brings the bold flavors of Tex-Mex to your dinner table. Featuring ground beef, tender potatoes, beans, corn, and robust spices, this 30‑minute soup is perfect for busy weeknights or feeding a crowd. It’s simple to throw together—from sautéing a classic mirepoix (onion, celery, carrots) to simmering in savory beef broth with tomato paste, tomatoes, and beans—and keeps well in the fridge or freezer, making it a great meal-prep option. Rustic, smoky, and satisfying, it's fall-apart tender and deliciously flavorful. 

Ingredients (makes about 8 servings)

• 2 Tbsp olive oil

• 1 medium yellow onion, diced

• 3 stalks celery, diced

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 lb ground beef

• 1 lb Yukon Gold potatoes (about 4 medium), cut into 1″ cubes

• 4 carrots, peeled and sliced

• 1 (14.5-oz) can green beans, drained

• 3 Tbsp tomato paste

• 1 (14.5-oz) can diced tomatoes (with juice)

• 1 (15-oz) can black-eyed peas, drained, rinsed

• 1 (15-oz) can corn, drained

• 4–6 cups beef broth (6 cups preferred)

• 2 tsp Italian seasoning

• 1 tsp smoked paprika

• 2 tsp chili powder

• Salt, pepper & red pepper flakes, to taste
  
  

Directions

1. Sauté mirepoix – Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high. Cook onion and celery for 2–3 minutes until softened; add garlic and cook 1–2 more minutes until fragrant. 

2. Brown beef – Add ground beef, breaking it up and cooking until no pink remains. 

3. Combine ingredients – Stir in potatoes, carrots, green beans, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, black-eyed peas, corn, seasonings, and 4 cups of beef broth. Add up to 2 cups more broth for desired consistency. 

4. Simmer – Bring to a boil, reduce to medium-low, and cover. Simmer for 14–16 minutes, until potatoes are fork-tender. Adjust salt, pepper, red pepper flakes to taste.

5. Serve – Ladle into bowls and top with optional toppings like shredded cheese, green onions, crushed tortilla chips, or sour cream.

6. Store – Refrigerate up to 4 days or freeze in airtight containers up to 3 months. Reheat on stovetop or microwave until hot.
   
   

Nutritional Info (approximate per serving, 8 servings)

• Calories: ~350 kcal

• Protein: high (from ground beef and beans)

• Fiber: moderate (from vegetables and beans)

• Fat & Carbs: balanced

• Micronutrients: contributes vitamins A, C, iron, potassium