Hearty Crockpot Cowboy Soup Recipe

Instructions

1. Brown the ground beef: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the ground beef. Cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon or spatula, until the meat is fully browned and no pink remains, approximately 6–8 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure even browning. Once cooked, carefully drain any excess fat to prevent the soup from becoming greasy while maintaining the rich beef flavor.
2. Sauté the aromatics: Add the chopped onion and minced garlic directly to the skillet with the browned beef. Cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onion turns translucent and releases its natural sweetness, and the garlic becomes fragrant. Avoid browning the garlic too much, as it can become bitter. This step builds the aromatic foundation of the soup.
3. Transfer to the crockpot: Carefully move the cooked beef, onions, and garlic into the crockpot, scraping the skillet with a spatula to ensure no flavorful bits are left behind. These browned bits add depth to the soup’s overall taste.
4. Add the vegetables and beans: To the crockpot, add the diced tomatoes, kidney beans, pinto beans, black beans, corn kernels, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and diced green chilies. These ingredients provide a hearty texture and a medley of flavors, combining the sweetness of corn, the earthiness of beans, and the subtle heat from the green chilies.
5. Season and combine: Sprinkle in the taco seasoning mix and ranch dressing mix. Pour in the 4 cups of beef broth and stir thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. The combination of spices and seasoning mixes creates a savory, slightly smoky base that complements the beef and vegetables.
6. Cook the soup: Cover the crockpot with the lid. For a slow-cooked depth of flavor, cook on low for 6–8 hours. If you are short on time, cook on high for 3–4 hours. During cooking, the flavors meld, and the beans soften without losing their shape, while the beef becomes tender and infused with seasoning. Avoid lifting the lid frequently, as it prolongs cooking time and reduces the temperature consistency.
   

   Serving and Tips