Cowboy Soup is packed with ground beef, red beans, potatoes, sweet corn, tomato, and vegetables. It’s the kind of meal that fills you up and keeps you going all day long. Legend has it that cowboys would eat this soup from breakfast until sundown.
For good reason! It’s a 3-Point soup full of rich flavors and hearty ingredients, the ultimate comfort food that brings a piece of history to your table. Browse our site for more healthy side dishes and Weight Watchers dinner recipes.
Why should you try Cowboy Soup?
Cowboy Soup is a one-bowl wonder with everything you need to stay full and energized. Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or need a filling dinner after a long day, this soup has got you covered. It combines protein, carbs, and veggies in one easy dish, and if you’re like me, you might even want to freeze it for a quick meal later.
I love how versatile Cowboy Soup can be. You can prepare the classic version with ground beef and potatoes or switch things up by using ground turkey and extra beans to keep it light. If you’re watching your points, the turkey version is a great way to enjoy this dish without breaking the bank on calories or points.
Cowboy Soup freezes like a dream! I often make a big batch, freeze half, and then pull it out later when I need a quick meal. It pairs well with diced peppers, fresh cilantro, or even a squeeze of lime. It’s a super simple, no-fuss dinner that requires minimal prep when life gets busy. As with many soups, Cowboy Soup is one of those dishes that develops even more flavor after a day or two in the fridge.
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 6
Serving Size: 400 g.
3 WW Points Per Serving. You can view the recipe on the WW App here. (WW login required.)
Ingredients:
- 1 lb (450 g) 97% lean ground beef
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 small onion, diced, 160 g.
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 4 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 medium potato, diced (about 150 g)
- 1 cup (165 g) canned red beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup (165 g) sweet corn kernels, fresh or canned
- 4 cups (960 ml) beef broth
- 1 tsp olive oil (for sautéing)
Instructions:
- Season and Brown the Beef: Begin by seasoning the ground beef with salt and pepper. In your Instant Pot, set to the sauté function, add 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Add the seasoned beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks.
- Add Spices: Once the beef is browned, stir in the cumin and paprika, mixing well so the spices are evenly distributed.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Add the diced onion, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper to the pot with the beef. Sauté everything together for about 3-4 minutes, or until the vegetables start to soften.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Add the diced potato, red beans, corn kernels, tomato paste, and beef broth to the pot. Give it a good stir to combine all the ingredients.
- Cook: Seal the Instant Pot lid and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. Once done, allow the pressure to release naturally for about 5 minutes, then carefully release any remaining pressure manually.
- Serve: Once the soup is done, give it a final stir. Serve hot and enjoy this hearty, flavorful Cowboy Soup!
Variations and Substitutions for Cowboy Soup
- For less points, swap out the ground beef for ground turkey. You’ll save on points. You can also substitute the potatoes for additional beans, which will help lighten the dish while still keeping it hearty and filling.
- Bulk up Cowboy Soup with extra vegetables! Green beans, carrots, or even fresh tomatoes are excellent additions that add flavor and nutrition. The more veggies, the merrier!
- For added spice, throw in some diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce. It adds a wonderful kick without overpowering the other flavors. I love topping my bowl with a few slices of avocado and some fresh lime juice for that extra zest.
Tips and Tricks for making Cowboy Soup
- Add fresh toppings for a burst of flavor: I had sprinkled diced jalapeños in it for the photos, and my husband told me later it was like an explosion of crazy flavors in his mouth—spicy, fresh, and satisfying. A little sweet corn, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime will make you feel lucky to have this hearty soup in your hands.
- Sauté the meat and veggies in one pot: For convenience, I like to sauté the meat and veggies in the same pot to capture all the flavors. That way, none of the juices from the ground beef or turkey go to waste. It’s simple, effective, and makes clean-up much easier too.
- Double the cooking time for a richer texture: To get that thick, cozy consistency where the ingredients feel like they’ve melted together, I often cook Cowboy Soup in two rounds. I run the “Meat” program on my Instant Pot for about 40 minutes in total. This slow cooking process makes everything tender and flavorful.
Cowboy Soup
Ingredients
- 1 lb 450 g 97% lean ground beef
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 small onion, diced, 160 g.
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 4 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 medium potato, diced (about 150 g)
- 1 cup 165 g canned red beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup 165 g sweet corn kernels, fresh or canned
- 4 cups 960 ml beef broth
- 1 tsp olive oil, for sautéing
Instructions
- Season and Brown the Beef: Begin by seasoning the ground beef with salt and pepper. In your Instant Pot, set to the sauté function, add 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Add the seasoned beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks.
- Add Spices: Once the beef is browned, stir in the cumin and paprika, mixing well so the spices are evenly distributed.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Add the diced onion, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper to the pot with the beef. Sauté everything together for about 3-4 minutes, or until the vegetables start to soften.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Add the diced potato, red beans, corn kernels, tomato paste, and beef broth to the pot. Give it a good stir to combine all the ingredients.
- Cook: Seal the Instant Pot lid and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. Once done, allow the pressure to release naturally for about 5 minutes, then carefully release any remaining pressure manually.
- Serve: Once the soup is done, give it a final stir. Serve hot and enjoy this hearty, flavorful Cowboy Soup!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
