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Cowboy Soup

Cowboy soup is a thick, hearty one-pot ground beef soup loaded with potatoes, corn, beans, and diced tomatoes in a smoky ranch broth. Brown the beef, simmer until the potatoes are tender, then finish with cheddar and green onions for a comfort soup dinner.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Soup
Cuisine: American
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cowboy soup base
  • 1.5 lb ground beef
  • 1 onion
  • 3 clove garlic
  • 3 potatoes
  • 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 1 can (15 oz) pinto beans, drained
  • 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
  • 1 can (10 oz) Rotel tomatoes
  • 3 cup beef broth
  • 1 packet (1 oz) ranch seasoning
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 salt and pepper
  • 0.5 cup shredded cheddar
  • 2 tbsp green onions

Equipment

  • 1 Dutch oven

Method
 

Brown the beef and build the base
  1. Brown ground beef with onion in a large pot over medium-high heat, then drain the fat. Cook until the beef is no longer pink and the onion softens, about 8–10 minutes.
  2. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Keep it fragrant but not browned.
  3. Stir in diced tomatoes, pinto beans, corn, Rotel tomatoes, beef broth, ranch seasoning, cumin, and chili powder. Season with salt and pepper, then mix until evenly combined.
  4. Add potatoes and bring the soup to a boil. Make sure the liquid actively bubbles so the potatoes cook through.
Simmer until tender and finish
  1. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 20–25 minutes, until the potatoes are tender. Stir occasionally so the potatoes soften evenly.
  2. Adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot, topped with shredded cheddar and green onions.

Notes

Pro tip: drain excess beef fat after browning for a thicker, less greasy broth. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 4 days; reheat gently on the stovetop. Freezing is OK for up to 2 months, though potatoes may soften further. For a lower-fat option, use 93% lean or leaner ground beef.