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Cowboy Soup

This hearty and flavorful cowboy soup comes together in just 30 minutes! Loaded with ground beef, tender vegetables, and a savory broth, it’s perfect for feeding a hungry crowd. Customize it with your favorite toppings for extra flavor and texture.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Course: Soup
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8
Calories: 449kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion diced
  • 3 stalks celery diced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 lbs ground beef
  • 1 lb Yukon Gold potatoes cut into 1-inch pieces (about 4 medium potatoes)
  • 4 carrots peeled and sliced into rounds
  • 1 14.5-ounce can green beans, drained
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes with juices
  • 1 15-ounce can black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 15-ounce can corn, drained
  • 4 –6 cups beef broth use more for a thinner consistency
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • Salt pepper, and red pepper flakes, to taste

Optional Toppings:

  • Parmesan cheese
  • Shredded cheddar
  • Green onions
  • Crushed tortilla chips or Fritos
  • Sour cream

Instructions

Sauté Vegetables

  • Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
  • Add the onion and celery and cook for 2–3 minutes until soft and translucent.
  • Add the garlic and cook for an additional 1–2 minutes, until fragrant.

Brown the Ground Beef

  • Add the ground beef to the pot and cook until browned and no pink remains.

Combine Ingredients

  • Stir in the potatoes, carrots, green beans, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, black-eyed peas, corn, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, chili powder, and 4 cups of beef broth.
  • Add up to 2 additional cups of broth to reach your desired soup consistency.

Simmer

  • Turn the heat up to high and bring the soup to a boil.
  • Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 14–16 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes, as needed.

Serve

  • Serve the soup hot with your choice of toppings.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through.

Notes

Toppings: Enhance the soup with parmesan cheese, shredded cheddar, green onions, crushed tortilla chips, Fritos, or a dollop of sour cream.
Shortcuts: Save time by using frozen mirepoix (a mix of diced onions, celery, and carrots).
Beans: Swap the black-eyed peas for black beans, chili beans, or even baked beans for extra flavor.
Crock Pot: Brown the ground beef on the stovetop, then transfer to a slow cooker with the remaining ingredients. Cook on high for 5–6 hours or low for 6–8 hours.
Instant Pot: Use the sauté function to cook the onion, celery, and ground beef, then add the remaining ingredients. Pressure cook on manual/high for 15 minutes with a quick release.
Freezing: Allow the soup to cool completely, then transfer to freezer-safe containers or bags. Label, date, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stovetop or microwave.