Wholesome and dairy-free, this gluten-free cowboy stew features beef, bacon, and hotdogs (or sausage) – an easy and tasty meal that will knock your boots off!

Cowboy Stew conjures up memories of a World Expo that my children participated in for school many years ago. Thus, each child had a table where they could display their project on a particular country. In addition, they each delivered a short speech about their country.

Selecting Britain, my oldest son displayed his British soldiers, flag and other cherished collectibles he possessed.

My daughter offered Japanese sushi and proudly displayed her Japanese dolls and house inspired by a favorite book “Miss Happiness and Miss Flower” by Rumer Godden.

Together, she and I had actually handmade one of the dolls and Dad had given her an antique Hinamatsuri doll. She had built the house with Dad.

My middle son selected Europe during The Middle Ages displaying his heraldic sealing ring, sealing clay, a coat of arms, catapult and replica Gothic window.

For his country presentation, my kindergartener chose the United States and specifically Texas. He proudly displayed his wooden puzzle of the United States and showed everyone the large piece that was Texas.

At his table, he showcased plastic cowboys along with samples of cowboy clothing and accessories. However, the real showstopper was his unique Cowboy Stew, which became a crowd-pleaser among all the families in attendance.

Since then, I’ve adapted cowboy stew to be gluten free and added it to my collection of dinner recipes. Sometimes I prepare it with gluten free Italian sweet sausage or more recently with Applegate Natural’s Big Apple Hot Dogs similar to how I jazz up my gluten free ground beef chili with hot dogs.

Because not only are these hot dogs gluten free, but I like that they don’t contain nitrites, antibiotics or fillers.

If you appreciate the heartiness of a good stew, consider indulging in the richness of Slow cooker lamb stew, the rustic charm of Beef Provencal with root vegetables, or the classic flavors of a British-Style meat pie.

What is cowboy stew?

This rustic dish is dubbed cowboy stew because it’s inspired by the resourcefulness of cowboys and the hearty concoctions they would rustle up, using whatever provisions were on hand during their cattle drives.

Complete your hearty cowboy stew meal with a side of Cowboy Caviar, from one of my blogging friends. Just be sure to use gluten-free ingredients since her site might have non-gluten-free options.

One more thing before we get to the recipe.

Low carb option

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For those who follow a low-carb diet like myself, you can skip the flour when thickening your gravy and opt for gelatin instead. Follow these steps to achieve a thick and flavorful gravy:

Approximately 15 minutes before your stew is ready, prepare you gelatin. Here’s how: start by sprinkling powdered gelatin into one cup of cold water and allowing it to sit for 5 minutes; this process is known as blooming. Incorporate this gelatin mixture into your stew ensuring even dissolution.

Then enhance the richness by adding 3 tablespoons of butter; your gravy will remain just as rich and flavorful.

Gluten free cowboy stew recipe

Ready to whip up some homemade gluten-free cowboy stew? This savory recipe boasts three meat components: beef, bacon, and hotdogs (or sausage). Let’s gather the ingredients:

Ingredients

Meats:

bacon: Use your favorite brand for the ultimate flavor booster that infuses a salty and savory taste to the stew.
hot dogs or sausage: You can use your preferred type whether they are beef, pork, turkey, or chicken. Just be sure they’re gluten free.
beef cubes: Chuck is best in this recipe.

Vegetables: It’s best to slice all the veggies into similar sizes so they cook evenly.

an onion
garlic
a green pepper
a red pepper

Flavor Enhancers:

gluten-free all-purpose flour: This is used to thicken the gravy. I use Bob’s Red Mill GF flour. Other flours like coconut flour and almond flour won’t work in this recipe. *See low carb option above.
basil, paprika, salt and pepper for depth of flavor

Liquid Base:

gluten-free beef broth: You can substitute chicken or vegetable broth if you prefer or have it on hand.

Instructions

*Free printable recipe card is available at the end of the post.

To begin, heat a large Dutch oven, over a medium-high heat. Add bacon and brown. With a slotted spoon, transfer your cooked bacon to a dish lined with paper towels, leaving the fat in the pot.

Next, add the beef cubes and hot dogs (or sausage) in batches and brown on all sides. Cook your meat in batches because you don’t want to crowd the pan. As your meat cooks, it will start to give off moisture. If there’s not enough room in the pan, it’ll steam instead of browning and getting a nice flavorful sear.

Pro tip: Try not to cook the beef cubes all the way through. You only want a slight sear for added flavor.

Then transfer your meat to a bowl once it is seared.

Then add your onions and garlic and cook for 2 minutes more.

Now add some flour and stir until it begins to brown, about 1 minute.

Then add sliced peppers, seasonings, and broth and return all the beef and bacon to the pot.

Now bring your stew to a boil, cover, and simmer until the meat is tender for 1 1/2 – 2 hours.

Serving suggestions

Additionally, serve your stew with gluten free baked beans, mashed potatoes or rice, and crusty gluten free bread to sop up the gravy.

Then wrap up your Cowboy Stew feast with this small chocolate cake.

Pro tips and recipe notes

Can I use a different type of meat instead of beef? Certainly! For a unique twist on the traditional beef stew, experiment with pork or lamb.
Can I add more vegetables to the stew? Absolutely! Feel free to customize the recipe by adding carrots, celery, peas, or other favorite veggies to suit your taste.
How can I make the stew spicier? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to infuse some heat into the stew. Adjust to your preferred spice level.
Would you rather set your stew in your slow cooker for the day? Great idea! Once you brown your meat and vegetables in the bacon fat, you can add your ingredients to your slow cooker and finish off your stew in your slow cooker for 4 hours on high or 6-7 hours on low.
Can I make this cowboy stew in advance? Absolutely! In fact, the flavors often deepen when the stew is made ahead and reheated. Simply, store it in the refrigerator and reheat on the stovetop.
Is this recipe suitable for a large group? Yes, it’s easy to scale up for a crowd. Simply click on the number of servings in the recipe card and use the slider to double or triple the ingredients to suit the number of servings needed.
Is this beef stew suitable for camping trips? Absolutely! This old fashioned homemade stew is also known as campfire stew, and is an ideal choice for your next camping trip to enjoy while sitting around the campfire.
Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days. Or freeze up to three months. Then thaw and reheat when ready to enjoy.

Cowboy Stew with beef and bacon is more than a recipe as memories and the warmth of family gatherings come together in each hearty spoonful.

So cook up a pot of Cowboy Stew, share it with those you love, and create new memories to cherish. Happy cooking and happy reminiscing!

More recipes you’ll love

Beef recipes This is my complete collection of hearty beef dishes.

Amazing Slow Cooker Pot Roast You’ve Got To Try Tender, succulent seasoned-just-right slow cooker pot roast in its own rich gravy is amazing.

Quick And Easy Beef Ragoût With Tomatoes And Pearl Onions Not only is it fast to make, it’s a wonderfully hearty meal too: ground beef cooked until tender with juicy Roma tomatoes and pearl onions in a flavorful gravy.

Slow Cooker Braised Short Ribs Simmer in your slow cooker in a beautiful red wine sauce until the meat is so tender and juicy it literally falls right off the bone.

Gluten Free Beef Bourguignon Inspired by Julia Child’s Boeuf A La Bourguignon, this stew will be bubbling in the oven filling the whole house with its wonderful aroma.

Gluten Free Ham Tetrazzini Casserole Leftover ham makes a whole new meal the next day with hearty cheddar cheese sauce and gluten free spaghetti.

Gluten Free Lamb Meatballs Easy lamb meatballs simmer in gluten free mushroom gravy and a touch of cinnamon. Yum.

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