Description
This Hearty Smoky Cowboy Bean Stew features tender pinto beans simmered with a medley of fresh vegetables and bold smoky spices. Perfect for a comforting, flavorful meal, this stew combines bell peppers, carrots, and celery with smoked paprika, cumin, and chili powder for a taste inspired by cowboy tradition. It’s enhanced with fresh lime juice and optional cilantro garnish for brightness and freshness.
Ingredients
Scale
Beans and Broth
- 2 cups dried pinto beans, rinsed and soaked overnight
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt to taste
Vegetables
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
- 2 medium carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
Tomato and Spices
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, with juices
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Other
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- Fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Drain Beans: Begin by draining the soaked pinto beans and setting them aside.
- Heat Oil & Sauté Onion: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until translucent.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic, continuing to cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add red and green bell peppers, carrots, and celery to the pot. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables start to soften.
- Add Beans & Spices: Stir in the drained pinto beans, diced tomatoes with juices, tomato paste, smoked paprika, ground cumin, chili powder, black pepper, and salt. Mix thoroughly to combine flavors.
- Add Broth and Bay Leaves: Pour in the vegetable broth and add bay leaves. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Simmer Stew: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 to 1.5 hours or until the beans are tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and add more broth or water if needed to maintain stew consistency.
- Add Corn and Lime Juice: About 10 minutes before finishing, stir in corn kernels and lime juice. Adjust seasoning with additional salt if necessary.
- Finish and Serve: Remove bay leaves and serve the hearty stew hot, garnished with fresh cilantro if desired.
Notes
- Soaking beans overnight helps reduce cooking time and improve digestibility.
- If you prefer, canned pinto beans can be used to shorten cooking time; adjust seasoning and liquid accordingly.
- The stew can be reheated and often tastes better the next day as flavors meld.
- Add more vegetable broth if you prefer a thinner stew consistency.
- For a non-vegetarian variation, cooked smoked sausage or bacon can be added during the sauté stage.
- This stew freezes well for up to 3 months.
