Photo Credit: Drizzle Me Skinny.
Cowboy Soup is the ultimate comfort meal for anyone craving a hearty, filling dish without a ton of points. Packed with ground beef (or turkey, if you want to go lighter), red beans, potatoes, and veggies, this soup brings together satisfying flavors in one simple pot. It’s perfect for meal prepping, easy to freeze, and only 3 Weight Watchers points per serving. I love how adaptable it is—add a little lime or cilantro for a fresh kick or extra beans to keep it lighter on points. It’s a low-effort meal that’s rich in flavor, ideal for busy days when you need something warm and wholesome on the table.
Get the Recipe Here: Cowboy Soup
Ingredients
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For this hearty dish, you’ll need 1 lb (450 g) of 97% lean ground beef, seasoned with 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, and 1 teaspoon paprika. Sauté with 1 small diced onion (160 g), 1 diced red bell pepper, and 1 diced green bell pepper in 1 teaspoon olive oil. Then add 4 tablespoons of tomato paste, 1 medium diced potato (about 150 g), 1 cup (165 g) of drained and rinsed canned red beans, and 1 cup (165 g) of sweet corn kernels. Pour in 4 cups (960 ml) of beef broth to simmer everything together.
Brown the Beef
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Season ground beef with salt and pepper. Set the Instant Pot to sauté, add 1 teaspoon of olive oil, and cook the beef until browned, breaking it up as it cooks.
Add Spices
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Stir in cumin and paprika, ensuring the spices are well mixed with the beef.
Sauté and Combine Ingredients
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Add diced onion, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper to the pot and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Then, add diced potato, red beans, corn, tomato paste, and beef broth, stirring well to combine.
Pressure Cook and Serve.
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Seal the lid and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes, then release any remaining pressure manually. Give the soup a final stir, then serve hot and enjoy this savory, filling Cowboy Soup!
Variations and Substitutions for Cowboy Soup
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Cowboy Soup is super flexible and easy to adjust to your preferences! For a lighter version, swap ground beef with ground turkey to save on points, or replace the potatoes with extra beans to keep it hearty. To bulk it up, add extra vegetables like green beans, carrots, or tomatoes for more flavor and nutrition. If you’re craving some heat, diced jalapeños or a splash of hot sauce will add a kick without overpowering the soup. Top each bowl with avocado slices and a squeeze of lime for a fresh, zesty finish.
Tips and Tricks for making Cowboy Soup
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For a flavor-packed Cowboy Soup, add fresh toppings like diced jalapeños, sweet corn, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime. These extras bring a spicy, vibrant touch to every bite. Sauté the meat and veggies in one pot to capture all the flavors and make cleanup a breeze. For a thicker, heartier texture, double the cooking time, letting the ingredients meld together for that cozy, melt-in-your-mouth feel. Using the “Meat” setting on an Instant Pot for about 40 minutes total enhances the tenderness and richness of the soup.
Get the Recipe Here: Cowboy Soup
