Take a bite out of the Wild West! These cowboy-inspired recipes include low-and-slow briskets, southwestern casseroles, hearty chilis and more.
47 Cowboy Recipes
Updated on Oct. 01, 2024
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Laura Bush’s Cowboy Cookies
These hefty cookies have a bit of everything—oats, chocolate chips, coconut flakes and chopped pecans. No wonder the recipe won a Presidential Cookie Bake-Off! —Emily Parulski, St. Francis, Wisconsin
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Cowboy Spaghetti
Cowboy spaghetti starts on the stovetop and finishes in the oven, giving you plenty of hands-off time to prepare a salad, or a dessert for after dinner. If you don’t have a cast-iron skillet, transfer the spaghetti mixture to a 13×9-in. baking dish before putting it in the oven. —Kerry Whitaker, Carthage, Texas
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Southwest Barley & Lentil Soup
My family makes cowboy soup every new year for good luck. My mom has been making it since I was little. Over time, we’ve tweaked it so that all our family and friends love it. —Kristen Heigl, Staten Island, New York
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Southwestern Casserole
This southwestern casserole is a riff on chili mac, with the added spice of green chiles and sliced jalapenos, all underneath a melted layer of Monterey Jack cheese.
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Cowboy Beef Dip
In a foods class, a group of us developed this recipe for the North Dakota’s annual Beef Bash. We won the contest!—Jessica Klym, Killdeer, North Dakota
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Cowboy Cookies
Cowboy cookies are packed with hearty mix-ins: chocolate chips, oats, pecans and shredded coconut. Our cowboy cookie recipe also includes a unique step—toasting the coconut and pecans—to add a layer of complexity.
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Chicken Tortilla Casserole
Chicken tortilla casserole is a favorite comfort food dinner. The lasagna-like recipe is super versatile too!
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The Pioneer Woman's Lasagna
Travel back in time to make Ree Drummond’s first-ever recipe! This lasagna keeps the ingredients simple and creates a creamy texture from the cottage cheese while adding some heat with hot breakfast sausage. —Lisa Kaminski, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
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Cowboy Candy (Candied Jalapenos)
If you love spicy food like we do, then these tasty candied jalapenos—also known as cowboy candy—are for you! You can save the syrup to baste roasted chicken or grilled salmon, or mix it into salad dressings. Jars of this dynamite condiment make a great gift. —Rita Ladany, Edison, New Jersey
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Cowboy Casserole
This quick and creamy Tater Tot bake is great comfort food, especially on a cold night. —Donna Donhauser, Remsen, New York
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Chili Cornbread Casserole
This hearty chili cornbread casserole combines savory beef chili and cheesy cornbread. Serve it with a dollop of sour cream and fresh salsa for a fun family dinner.
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Southwestern Chicken & Lima Bean Stew
I love to have my daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren over for this supper. They make me so happy with their compliments or just by going to fill up their bowls again. It's a good-for-you hit. —Pam Corder, Monroe, Louisiana
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Muffin-Tin Tamale Cakes
We needed snack inspiration beyond peanut butter and jelly. These muffin tamales have all of the flavor of tamales without the fuss. Pair with skewered fruit. —Suzanne Clark, Phoenix, Arizona
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Cowboy Pasta
This cowboy recipe combines ground beef, bacon, corn, tangy buttermilk and Monterey Jack cheese for an easy but hearty weeknight dinner. Add more chili powder or chopped jalapeno to give this delicious pasta dish a kick. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Black Bean Potato au Gratin
The addition of black beans and vegetables adds hearty protein and fiber to this cowboy side dish. For a southwestern twist, add a handful or two of chopped cooked ham or chorizo sausage and replace the peas with 1 cup of frozen, thawed corn. —Erin Chilcoat, Central Islip, New York
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Chicken Tortilla Soup
There's nothing quite like an easy soup recipe on a busy night. This flavor-packed chicken tortilla soup will warm up your kitchen (and then your belly) in just 30 minutes.
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Fiesta Breakfast Bake
I get a kick out of making breakfast for a crowd when I have weekend guests, and my family also loves breakfast for dinner. I created this dish by combining my family's favorite southwestern flavors in an all-in-one-pan recipe.—Whitney Gilbert, Smithville, Missouri
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Philly Cheesesteak
If you can’t make it to Philadelphia any time soon, this Philly cheesesteak recipe will satisfy your craving for the city's signature sandwich. Our version comes from the family of the man who invented cheesesteaks, so it's safe to say you’re in pretty good hands.
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Cowboy Cornbread Casserole
Cowboy cornbread casserole uses pantry staples to create a saucy mixture of seasoned ground beef and ranch-style beans. Blanket it with a layer of melted cheese and a buttery cornbread topping.
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Frito Pie
Crunchy, salty Fritos corn chips are the star ingredient of Frito pie. Make this cheesy Tex-Mex favorite for dinner or game day.
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Breaded Pork Tenderloin
Breaded pork tenderloin is an ideal meal for families. It's sophisticated enough for adults, but still appeals to the kids as well.
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Cowboy Stew
I made up this cowboy stew in the early 1970s when I was down to very little food in the house. Because it’s a combination of barbecue sauce, hamburger, hot dogs and beans, this one-skillet meal makes both children and adults happy. —Val Rananawski, Millville, New Jersey
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The Pioneer Woman's Pecan Pie
With a hint of crunch on top of a gooey filing, this Pioneer Woman pecan pie is a total classic. Like most of her Thanksgiving traditions, it’s easy to recreate at home. —Molly Allen, Hood River, Oregon
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Mexican Cornbread
Ramp up the heat and the flavor with this Mexican cornbread, simple to share and elevating a classic dish.
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Saucy Ranch Pork and Potatoes
Awhile back, my sister Elyse shared a tasty ranch pork roast recipe. I tweaked it so I could use what was already in my pantry, and this dish was born. —Kendra Adamson, Layton, Utah
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Chuck Wagon Tortilla Stack
I make this skillet specialty on those nights when I’m craving cowboy food. It’s easy to cut and remove the pieces from the pan. —Bernice Janowski, Stevens Point, Wisconsin
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White Bean Chicken Chili
My sister shared this white bean chicken chili recipe with me. I usually double it and add one extra can of beans, then serve with cheddar biscuits or warmed tortillas. The jalapeno adds just enough heat to notice but not too much for my children. —Kristine Bowles, Albuquerque, New Mexico
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Loaded Stuffed Potato Pancakes
When I make mashed potatoes, I always cook extra so I can prepare these over-the-top potato pancakes. Fill them with sour cream, ranch dressing or melted cheese—or all three. —Jane Whittaker, Pensacola, Florida
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Durango Potato Casserole
For those who like it spicy, it’s easy to turn up the heat on these potatoes by adding more chili powder or jalapenos for extra kick.—Pat Harmon, Baden, Pennsylvania
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Cowboy Beans
When you bring sweet and tangy cowboy beans to share, you'll be the hit of the barbecue!
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Tex-Mex Sloppy Joes
Sloppy joes are a favorite of adults and kids. I deviated from the traditional recipe by adding a little Southwestern spiciness. —Geraldine Saucier, Albuquerque, New Mexico
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Fried Chicken
This crispy fried chicken recipe uses a batter instead of a flour coating. That helps the flour adhere to the chicken so it won’t fall off after cooking!
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Southwestern Goulash
I had some extra cilantro in the fridge and didn't want to throw it away. Instead, I came up with this delightful and filling family recipe. Everyone just loved it! —Vikki Rebholz, West Chester, Ohio
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Buffalo Chicken Dip
It is creamy, cheesy and packed with Buffalo hot wing flavors. This easy Buffalo chicken dip recipe is sure to be a party hit.
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Potato Rolls
Homemade potato rolls have a distinctively delicious flavor and moist, fluffy texture.
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Enchilada Casser-Ole!
My husband loves this casserole, so it never lasts too long in our house. Packed with black beans, cheese, tomatoes and southwestern flavor, it's an impressive-looking entree that's as simple as it is delicious. —Marsha Wills, Homosassa, Florida
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Southwestern Sauteed Corn
My mother-in-law came up with this corn skillet dish one night for dinner. Everyone who tries this cowboy recipe absolutely loves it! —Chandy Ward, Aumsville, Oregon
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Cowboy Soup
Cowboy soup is a hearty main dish perfect for when the weather turns cold. Mix and match ingredients that you have on hand in your pantry. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, WisconsinAlso try this cowboy chicken has the spicy, smoky flavors of the Old West. It’s a quick, one-skillet dinner for ranchers—or a hungry family.
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Southwest Steak
Lime juice tenderizes the steak while garlic, chili powder and red pepper flakes kick things up. My husband and I came up with this together as something lighter to make on the grill. —Caroline Shively, Alexandria, Virginia
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Chorizo and Eggs Ranchero
For a festive Mexican breakfast, we do chorizo and huevos rancheros. Add refried beans and cheddar, and serve everything in bowls made of tortillas. —Paul Williams, Fort Mohave, Arizona
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Southwest Kielbasa Bowls
Here's our at-home take on restaurant burrito bowls. We start with rice, kielbasa and black beans, then top 'em with salsa, red onion and cilantro. Use a spicier sausage if you want to crank up the heat. —Abby Williamson, Dunedin, Florida
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Jalapeno Ranch Dip
Ranch dressing got its start on a real dude ranch in California. Punch up the western original with green salsa, green chiles, jalapenos and cilantro for more color and spice. Serve the dip along with your favorite wings to feed a crowd. —Lindsay Duke, Goodrich, Texas
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Chili-Rubbed Steak & Bread Salad
We love skirt steak in our house. To make it a meal, I created a ranch-inspired bread salad with the best flavor combinations - creamy, tangy, sweet and fresh. — Devon Delaney, Westport, Connecticut
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Spicy Cowboy Chili
Toasting the peppers for this chili releases their earthy flavors—but do wear gloves when handling dried peppers and seeds. — Rachel Sprinkel, Hilo, Hawaii
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The Pioneer Woman's Million Dollar Dip
This savory dip from Ree Drummond is worth every penny. She combines nuts, bacon and cheese to make this dip a go-to dish for any party. —Lauren Habermehl, Pewaukee, Wisconsin
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School Cafeteria Cowboy Bread
This recipe for cowboy bread reminds us of all the good things about school lunch. The aroma of cinnamon streusel coffee cake baking in the oven is so nostalgic. —Lauren Habermehl, Pewaukee, Wisconsin
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Ree Drummond's Cowboy Quiche
Do cowboys really eat quiche? According to The Pioneer Woman, they do—as long as it’s a cowboy quiche. —Nancy Mock, Colchester, Vermont
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Copycat Trader Joe’s Cowboy Bark
You can combine rich dark chocolate, nuts, crispy pretzels, buttery toffee and Oreos to make copycat Trader Joe’s Cowboy Bark in no time. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
