Cowboy 15 Bean Soup
Smoky, flavorful, and hearty. This cowboy 15 bean soup is the perfect comfort food for any day of the week. This can easily be made on the stovetop or in a slow cooker.
If you love cooking with beans try my tuscan white bean soup, slow cooker beef and bean sloppy joes, or these black bean and sweet potato quesadillas.
Before You Get Started
SOAKING THE BEANS: Soaking the beans is very important! While it isn’t a must it does cut down on cooking time and aids in digestion! A win-win for me!!
LARGE BATCH: This makes a decent amount of soup! You can cut the recipe in half or freeze it for later.
SIMMER: I prefer to simmer the soup instead of boiling. This helps the beans stay more intact instead of becoming mushy.
How To Make Cowboy 15 Bean Soup
STEP 1: Place beans in a large pot or bowl. Cover with water 2 inches above beans and soak for 8 hours (or overnight). Drain beans. I strongly suggest soaking your beans as it greatly aids in digestion (causes less gas), and shortens cooking time.
STEP 2: Cook the ground beef, bacon, onion, green pepper, and garlic until ground beef is no longer pink.
**PRO TIP: If you prefer crispier bacon cook that first and remove it from the pan. Set it aside and stir it into the soup after it is done cooking.
STEP 3: Add the remaining ingredients, cover, and bring the soup up to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 2 hours or until beans are tender. Stir in the vinegar.
**FLAVOR TIP: This soup tastes even better on days 2 and 3!!
Storage Tips
STORAGE: Store cooled leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
FREEZER-FRIENDLY: Freeze completely cooled soup in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
REHEAT: Cook over a low flame just until heated through. You can also microwave individual bowls for about 1-2 minutes. Add extra broth, as necessary, to thin to the desired consistency.
Serving Suggestions
This hearty soup is enough on its own, but here are some easy sides if you want to round out the meal:
- Butternut Squash Salad
- Easy Fruit Salad
- Cornbread Casserole
- Dinner Rolls
- Rosemary Cornbread
- Cornbread Muffins
DID YOU KNOW….
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Cowboy 15 Bean Soup
Ingredients
- 1 (20 oz) (567g) package 15 bean soup mix, seasoning packet discarded
- 5 strips bacon, cut into ½" wide strips
- 1 pound (453g) lean ground beef
- 1 large onion, diced
- 1 large bell pepper, seeds removed and diced
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14 oz) (396g) package smoked kielbasa, cut into ½" rounds
- 4 cups (946ml) chicken broth
- 4 cups (946ml) beef broth
- 1 (14.5 oz) (411g) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (7 oz) (198g) can diced green chiles
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teasopoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
Instructions
- Place beans in a large pot or bowl. Cover with water 2 inches above beans and soak for 8 hours (or overnight). Drain beans.1 (20 oz) (567g) package 15 bean soup mix, seasoning packet discarded
- In a large stock pot, brown bacon, ground beef, onion, bell pepper, and garlic until beef is no longer pink. Drain any excess grease.5 strips bacon, cut into ½" wide strips, 1 pound (453g) lean ground beef, 1 large onion, diced, 1 large bell pepper, seeds removed and diced, 6 cloves garlic, minced
- Stir in the remaining ingredients EXCEPT for the vinegar. Bring to a boil; cover; reduce heat to low, and simmer (covered) for about 2 hours, or until the beans are tender. Stir the soup occasionally to prevent sticking. Stir in the vinegar and serve.1 (14 oz) (396g) package smoked kielbasa, cut into ½" rounds, 4 cups (946ml) chicken broth, 4 cups (946ml) beef broth, 1 (14.5 oz) (411g) can diced tomatoes, 1 (7 oz) (198g) can diced green chiles, 1 tablespoon chili powder, 2 teasopoons smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
Notes
- BACON: If you prefer crispier bacon, cook it first and remove to drain on paper towels. Stir into the soup after it’s done cooking.
- SLOW COOKER: After step 2, add everything to an 8-quart slow cooker. Cover and cook on HIGH 4-5 hours or LOW 8-10 hours.
- NUTRITION: Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the information shown is just an estimate. This website is not intended as nutritional advice, or a diet or health plan. Readers of this website are ultimately responsible for all decisions pertaining to their health.
