Crockpot Cowboy Soup

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Crockpot Cowboy Soup

Crockpot Cowboy Soup is a hearty slow cooker dinner filled with ground beef, potatoes, tomatoes and plenty of vegetables. Corn, green beans and mixed vegetables make the soup substantial, while beef broth and tomato sauce create a savory, tomato-rich base.

The only cooking you need to handle before loading the crockpot is browning the ground beef. Once you drain away any excess grease, the beef goes into the slow cooker with diced potatoes, undrained tomatoes, tomato sauce and the vegetables.

Garlic powder, onion powder and Italian seasoning keep the seasoning blend straightforward. After everything is stirred together, cook the soup on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours. Tender potatoes provide the recipe’s main doneness cue.

Before serving, give the Crockpot Cowboy Soup a final stir and taste. You can adjust the seasoning or add a little additional broth if needed, just as the original recipe suggests. It’s an uncomplicated way to turn ground beef, potatoes and pantry vegetables into a comforting slow cooker meal.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Hearty ground beef base: One pound of browned ground beef gives the soup plenty of substance.
  • Loaded with vegetables: Potatoes, tomatoes, corn, green beans and mixed vegetables all go into the crockpot.
  • Easy slow cooker method: After browning the beef, most of the cooking happens hands-off in the slow cooker.
  • Two cooking schedules: Choose LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours.
  • Simple seasonings: Garlic powder, onion powder and Italian seasoning provide the main seasoning blend.
  • Uses convenient canned ingredients: Several vegetables and both tomato components come straight from cans.
  • Easy to adjust at the end: Taste before serving and add more seasoning or broth if the soup needs it.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef, browned and drained
  • 3–4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 1 can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 can tomato sauce
  • 1 can corn, drained
  • 1 can green beans, drained
  • 1 can mixed vegetables, drained
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Ingredient Notes

Ground Beef

Use 1 pound of ground beef. Brown it in a skillet over medium heat and drain any excess grease before transferring it to the crockpot.

Potatoes

The recipe calls for 3–4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced. Their tenderness is the main doneness cue given for the finished soup.

Diced Tomatoes

Add one can of diced tomatoes without draining it. Unlike the corn, green beans and mixed vegetables, the tomatoes go into the slow cooker with their liquid.

Tomato Sauce

One can of tomato sauce joins the diced tomatoes to create the tomato component of the soup. The source does not specify a can size, so an ounce measurement has not been invented.

Corn, Green Beans and Mixed Vegetables

Use one can each of corn, green beans and mixed vegetables, draining all three before adding them to the crockpot. Can sizes were not supplied.

Beef Broth

Two cups of beef broth provide the main cooking liquid. The final instruction also allows additional broth if needed, but it does not prescribe an extra quantity.

Seasonings

The soup uses 1 teaspoon each of garlic powder, onion powder and Italian seasoning. Salt and pepper are added to taste, with another opportunity to adjust the seasoning before serving.

Equipment

  • Slow cooker or crockpot
  • Skillet
  • Wooden spoon or heat-safe spatula
  • Knife and cutting board
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Can opener
  • Large spoon or ladle

How to Make Crockpot Cowboy Soup

1. Brown the Beef

Brown the beef in a skillet over medium heat. Drain off any excess grease.

2. Add Everything to the Crockpot

Place the ground beef, diced potatoes, tomatoes, tomato sauce, corn, green beans, and mixed vegetables into the slow cooker.

3. Add Broth and Seasonings

Pour in the beef broth and add garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together.

4. Slow Cook

Cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the potatoes are tender.

5. Stir and Taste

Stir and taste, adding additional seasoning or broth if needed.

Tips for the Best Results

  • Brown the beef first: The supplied method calls for browning the ground beef before it goes into the slow cooker.
  • Drain excess grease: Remove excess fat from the browned beef before adding it to the soup.
  • Prepare the potatoes as directed: Peel and dice the 3–4 medium potatoes before putting them in the crockpot.
  • Pay attention to which cans get drained: Leave the diced tomatoes undrained, but drain the corn, green beans and mixed vegetables.
  • Stir before slow cooking: Combine the broth and seasonings thoroughly with the beef, potatoes and vegetables.
  • Check the potatoes: Whether you use LOW or HIGH, cook until the diced potatoes are tender.
  • Make final adjustments after cooking: Taste first, then add extra seasoning or broth only if needed.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Adding raw ground beef directly to the crockpot: This recipe specifically starts by browning the beef in a skillet.
  • Forgetting to drain excess beef grease: Drain it after browning before transferring the meat.
  • Draining the diced tomatoes: The ingredient list specifically calls for undrained tomatoes.
  • Leaving the other canned vegetables undrained: Drain the corn, green beans and mixed vegetables as directed.
  • Assigning assumed can sizes: The original recipe does not give ounce measurements for its canned ingredients.
  • Relying only on the clock: Tender potatoes are the recipe’s finishing cue.
  • Adding lots of extra broth before tasting: The original method suggests additional broth only if needed at the end.

Substitutions and Variations

No specific ingredient substitutions or variations were included with the original Crockpot Cowboy Soup recipe. Therefore, this version keeps the supplied combination of ground beef, potatoes, tomatoes, corn, green beans and mixed vegetables.

The recipe does provide some flexibility at the finish: additional seasoning or beef broth can be added if needed after tasting. Because no additional broth quantity is specified, add only according to the consistency and seasoning you prefer.

Serving Suggestions

The original recipe does not specify side dishes. Crockpot Cowboy Soup already combines ground beef, potatoes and several vegetables, so it can be served as a hearty meal on its own.

For optional accompaniments, crusty bread, crackers or cornbread can work alongside a bowl of this ground beef soup. These are general serving ideas and are not part of the original recipe.

Storage and Reheating

Specific storage and reheating instructions were not included with the original recipe, so this article does not assign a storage duration or reheating method that was not supplied.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Crockpot Cowboy Soup?

This version is a slow cooker soup made with browned ground beef, potatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, corn, green beans, mixed vegetables and beef broth.

Do I need to brown the ground beef first?

Yes. Brown the beef in a skillet over medium heat and drain any excess grease before adding it to the crockpot.

How many potatoes do I need?

The recipe calls for 3–4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced.

Should I drain the diced tomatoes?

No. The recipe specifically lists one can of diced tomatoes, undrained.

Which canned vegetables should I drain?

Drain the corn, green beans and mixed vegetables before adding them to the slow cooker.

What size cans should I use?

The supplied recipe does not specify can sizes for the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, corn, green beans or mixed vegetables, so no ounce amounts have been assigned.

How long does Crockpot Cowboy Soup cook on LOW?

Cook it on LOW for 6–8 hours, until the potatoes are tender.

Can I cook Cowboy Soup on HIGH?

Yes. The supplied HIGH setting is 3–4 hours, with tender potatoes as the doneness cue.

How much beef broth goes into the soup?

Start with the supplied 2 cups of beef broth. The final step allows additional broth if needed.

What seasonings are in Crockpot Cowboy Soup?

The recipe includes garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper.

Can I make the soup thinner?

The supplied final instruction allows additional broth if needed. It does not provide a fixed extra amount, so adjust after cooking and tasting.

How many servings does this recipe make?

A specific serving yield was not supplied, so no serving count has been assigned.

Recipe Card: Crockpot Cowboy Soup

Recipe Name: Crockpot Cowboy Soup

Description: A hearty slow cooker soup with ground beef, potatoes, tomatoes, corn, green beans and mixed vegetables in seasoned beef broth.

Cook Time: LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours

Method: Skillet and Slow Cooker

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef, browned and drained
  • 3–4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 1 can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 can tomato sauce
  • 1 can corn, drained
  • 1 can green beans, drained
  • 1 can mixed vegetables, drained
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Brown the beef in a skillet over medium heat. Drain off any excess grease.
  2. Add to the crockpot: Place the ground beef, diced potatoes, tomatoes, tomato sauce, corn, green beans, and mixed vegetables into the slow cooker.
  3. Add broth & seasonings: Pour in the beef broth and add garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together.
  4. Cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the potatoes are tender.
  5. Stir and taste, adding additional seasoning or broth if needed.

Recipe Notes

  • Brown and drain the ground beef before adding it to the slow cooker.
  • Peel and dice the potatoes before cooking.
  • Keep the liquid from the diced tomatoes.
  • Drain the corn, green beans and mixed vegetables.
  • Can sizes were not supplied in the original recipe.
  • Cook until the potatoes are tender.
  • Taste at the end and add more seasoning or broth only if needed.

Storage and Reheating

Specific storage and reheating instructions were not included with the original recipe.

 

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