Description
Cowboy Soup with Ground Beef is a rich, comforting, and hearty soup loaded with lean ground beef, kidney and black beans, fresh vegetables, and aromatic southwestern spices. Perfect for any season, this soup offers bold flavors and a satisfying texture that makes it an ideal meal for chilly nights or cozy dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 1 lb lean ground beef
Vegetables and Beans
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 cup bell peppers, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes with juice
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
Liquids and Broth
- 4 cups beef broth or stock
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Optional: hot sauce or cayenne pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Brown the Ground Beef: Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the lean ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until fully browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess fat to keep the soup from becoming greasy.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the chopped onion, bell peppers, and minced garlic to the pot. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened and fragrant, allowing flavors to meld beautifully.
- Add Beans, Tomatoes, and Broth: Stir in the drained kidney beans, black beans, diced tomatoes with their juice, and beef broth. These ingredients create the hearty and savory base of the soup.
- Season the Soup: Sprinkle in chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to evenly distribute the spices. Adjust seasoning as needed to achieve the perfect southwestern flavor.
- Simmer and Add Corn: Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce heat to low and let it simmer gently for at least 20 minutes to deepen the flavors. About 5 minutes before serving, stir in the corn kernels, letting their natural sweetness brighten the dish.
Notes
- Use fresh chili powder and cumin for the best flavor impact.
- Simmer the soup gently to meld flavors and tenderize ingredients perfectly.
- Drain and rinse canned beans to reduce sodium and prevent a cloudy broth.
- Customize the heat level by adding hot sauce or cayenne pepper gradually to your preference.
- For a hands-off option, brown the beef first then transfer all ingredients to a slow cooker and simmer all day.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Soups
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southwestern / American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg