If you are craving a hearty, flavor-packed dinner, this Crock Pot Cowboy Soup is exactly what you've been looking for! This bold and satisfying soup is loaded with beef, sausage, beans, and potatoes, all simmered low and slow in a smoky broth. It's protein-packed, family-friendly, and made with simple pantry staples you likely already have on hand.
If you love cozy, hearty slow cooker soups, be sure to try my Crock Pot cheeseburger soup next.
Recipe at a Glance
- Flavor: Smoky, savory, and slightly sweet with a rich barbecue undertone and yummy spices.
- Protein: Ground beef and smoked sausage for a hearty bite.
- Cooking Method: Easy slow cooker cowboy soup that simmers for 3 to 6 hours.
- Texture: Tender potatoes, soft beans, and a thick, satisfying broth.
- Serve With: Cornbread, crusty bread, or shredded cheese on top.
Summarize and Save
On busy days when I know dinner needs to be filling and hands-off, this Cowboy Crock Pot Soup is one of the recipes I reach for. I can brown the beef, toss everything into the slow cooker, and let the rich broth, smoky sausage, tender potatoes, and hearty beans do their thing while I get on with the day. It's the kind of meal that smells amazing by mid-afternoon and feels like a full, satisfying dinner in one bowl.
If you loved how easy and comforting this soup recipe is, you'll also enjoy my slow cooker cabbage roll soup and slow cooker poor man's stew.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
This Crock Pot cowboy soup recipe delivers big, bold flavor with very little effort. It is budget-friendly, filling enough for a full meal, and perfect for feeding a hungry family.
- Hearty and satisfying
- Made with affordable pantry ingredients
- Great for weeknight dinners or meal prep
Ingredients
- Ground Beef: Use lean ground beef to avoid excess grease. Browning it first builds flavor and keeps the broth from becoming oily. For another hearty ground beef recipe, don't miss this Crock Pot beefy potato taco casserole.
- Smoked Beef Sausage: Slice the sausage into even coins so it cooks evenly. Choose a fully cooked smoked sausage for convenience.
- Yukon Gold Potatoes: These hold their shape well and add a creamy texture without falling apart. Quarter them evenly so they cook through at the same rate.
- Beans: Black beans and pinto beans give this cowboy bean soup recipe its hearty texture while adding protein and fiber. Be sure to drain and rinse the black beans to control the salt level and keep the broth balanced.
- Fire Roasted Corn and Tomatoes: The fire-roasted variety adds a subtle smoky flavor that gives this cowboy vegetable soup more depth.
- Green Chiles: These add mild heat without overwhelming the dish.
- Barbecue Sauce: This is the secret ingredient that gives this cowboy soup its slightly sweet and smoky backbone.
- Seasonings: Chili powder, paprika, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper create a warm, bold flavor profile.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Vegetarian Cowboy Soup: Skip the ground beef and smoked sausage and use an extra can of beans, such as kidney or great northern beans. Swap the beef broth for vegetable broth to create a hearty soup that still has plenty of texture and bold flavor.
- Protein Swap: Replace the ground beef with ground turkey or ground chicken for a lighter take on this cowboy soup. You can also use sliced kielbasa or andouille sausage for a deeper, smokier flavor.
- Spicy Southwest Style: Add a diced jalapeño, a pinch of cayenne, garlic powder, or a spoonful of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce to give this slow cooker cowboy soup a smoky kick. A squeeze of fresh lime at the end brightens everything up. Kick it up a notch with our favorite hot sauce.
- Extra Veggie Boost: Stir in diced zucchini, carrots, chopped spinach, green beans, celery, mushrooms, or your other favorite veggies during the last hour of cooking to turn this into an even heartier cowboy soup packed with vegetables.
How to Make Crock Pot Cowboy Soup
This cowboy soup with ground beef starts with a quick stovetop step, then the slow cooker takes over. It is simple, straightforward, and perfect for a busy day.
- Step 1: Brown the Beef. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until it is fully browned. Break the meat into small crumbles as it cooks. Drain the excess grease, then transfer the beef to the slow cooker.
- Step 2: Add the Ingredients. Add the sliced sausage, diced onion, minced garlic, potatoes, beans, corn, tomatoes, green chiles, bell pepper, broth, barbecue sauce, and the seasonings. Stir everything together so that the flavors are evenly combined.
- Step 3: Slow Cook the Soup. Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook the soup on high for 3 to 4 hours or on low for 5 to 6 hours until the potatoes are fork-tender and the broth is rich and flavorful.
- Step 4: Taste and Serve. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning if needed. Ladle the soup into bowls and dollop of sour cream. Then serve it for dinner with ham and cheese sliders or corn chips for a simple, family-friendly meal or hungry cowboys.
Expert Tips
- Brown the Meat Well: Take the time to fully brown the ground beef before adding it to the slow cooker. This builds deeper flavor and keeps the broth from becoming greasy.
- Drain and Rinse the Beans: Rinsing the canned beans removes excess sodium and thick liquid from the can, which helps keep the broth balanced and prevents it from becoming overly salty.
- Cut the Potatoes Evenly: Slice the potatoes into uniform pieces so they cook at the same rate.
- Do Not Overcook on High: Cooking too long on high heat can cause the potatoes to become overly soft and break down. Check the texture around the minimum cook time for the best consistency.
- Storage: Let the soup cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. This recipe for cowboy soup also freezes well for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before warming.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve this crockpot cowboy soup for a simple, cozy weeknight dinner with a side of Crock Pot cornbread.
- Spoon it into bowls for a casual game day meal alongside chicken wings and BBQ chicken sliders for a tasty spread!
- This cowboy Crock Pot soup travels well right in the slow cooker, making it a great option for potlucks or holiday gatherings. Keep it on the warm setting and serve it with fresh focaccia bread for an easy, family-friendly meal.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can fully cook the soup a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. The flavors deepen as it sits, making it even more flavorful the next day. When you are ready to serve, reheat it gently on the stovetop or in the slow cooker on the warm setting.
The best way to reheat this Crock Pot cowboy soup is on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until it is heated through. This helps the potatoes warm evenly without becoming mushy.
Yes, you can swap in kidney beans, great northern beans, or even chickpeas to mix things up. Just be sure to drain and rinse canned beans to control the salt.
More Delicious Crock Pot Soup Recipes
Did you make this recipe? Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below. Then follow me on Facebook and Pinterest! Share your favorite recipes or ask questions in my Facebook Group.
Crock Pot Cowboy Soup
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 12 ounces smoked beef sausage sliced into coins
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 3 teaspoons garlic minced
- 1 pound baby Yukon gold potatoes quartered
- 4 ounce can diced green chiles
- 1 medium red bell pepper seeded and diced
- 15 ounce can black beans drained and rinsed
- 15 ounce can pinto beans
- 15 ounce can fire roasted corn drained
- 15 ounce can fire roasted diced tomatoes
- 4 cups low sodium beef broth
- ¼ cup barbecue sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until fully browned, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks. Drain excess grease, then transfer the beef to the slow cooker.
- Add smoked sausage, onion, garlic, potatoes, green chiles, bell pepper, beans, corn, tomatoes, beef broth, BBQ sauce, and seasonings to the crockpot. Stir until well combined.
- Cover and cook on high for 4-5 hours or low for 6-7 hours. Adjust seasonings as needed.
- Serve while hot and top with our favorite garnishes.
Video
Notes
- Brown the ground beef before adding it to the slow cooker for better flavor and texture.
- Cut the potatoes into evenly sized pieces so they cook through at the same rate.
- Stir the ingredients thoroughly before cooking to distribute the seasonings evenly.
- Taste and adjust the salt at the end since the beans and broth can vary in sodium levels.
Nutrition
*Nutrition information is an estimate. It may vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact ingredient numbers, I recommend calculating them with your preferred nutrition calculator.
Ryan Allen says
This hearty soup is perfect for chilly nights or when you are wanting comfort food.