Description
A warm, hearty, and smoky soup loaded with beef, bacon, beans, and spices, perfect for cozy winter nights. This easy one-pot recipe is flexible and satisfying for the whole family.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450g) ground beef (80/20 recommended)
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 large yellow onion, diced (about 250g)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 can (14.5 oz / 400g) diced tomatoes (fire-roasted preferred)
- 4 cups (960ml) low sodium beef broth
- 1 can (15 oz / 425g) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup (150g) corn kernels (frozen or canned)
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Black pepper, to taste
- Salt, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Heat a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat and add the chopped bacon. Cook until crispy and browned, about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove bacon bits with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pot.
- Add olive oil to the bacon fat in the pot. Add diced onion and bell pepper. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic during the last minute and cook until fragrant.
- Push the veggies to the side of the pot and add ground beef. Break it up with a spoon and cook until no longer pink, about 8 minutes. Season lightly with salt and pepper while cooking. Stir everything together once beef is browned.
- Stir in tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring constantly to deepen flavors.
- Pour in diced tomatoes with their juice and beef broth. Stir to combine. Add drained kidney beans and corn. Bring soup to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low to simmer.
- Simmer uncovered for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
- Stir crispy bacon bits back into the soup just before serving. Ladle into bowls and enjoy.
Notes
If soup gets too thick while simmering, add a splash of water or broth to loosen. If too thin, simmer longer uncovered to reduce. Use fire-roasted tomatoes for extra smoky flavor. Rinse canned beans to reduce sodium. Adjust heat with jalapeños or cayenne if desired. For freezing, omit beans and add fresh when reheating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximatel
- Calories: 370
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 8
- Protein: 28
Keywords: cowboy soup, hearty soup, beef soup, bacon soup, winter soup, one-pot soup, easy soup recipe, smoky soup