The term “cowboy” in recipes often evokes a rustic, hearty, and robust flavor profile reminiscent of homecooked meals served on the range, camping, or from deep south kitchens.
Implying a Southwestern or Texan influence in the flavor profile, “cowboy” as a term in food often indicates something hearty, simple, and filling, reminiscent of meals that would fuel hard-working cowboys out on the range.
10 Classic Cowboy Recipes to Ignite Your Southwestern Spirit
Some of the recipes most well-known for using the term “cowboy” include:
Cowboy Beans (or “Charro Beans”): A spicy and hearty bean side dish often made with pinto or baked beans, bacon, onion, garlic, and sometimes diced tomatoes, jalapeños, and various spices.
Cowboy Caviar: also known as “Texas Caviar,” is a cold bean salad or dip with pinto beans, black beans, corn, tomatoes, bell peppers, and onions, typically tossed in a homemade lime dressing.
Cowboy Steak: A thick-cut ribeye steak, often bone-in, seasoned simply, and grilled or broiled to perfection. We show you how to marinate and grill a skirt steak here. Serve with a southern sweet corn casserole.
Cowboy Coffee is a method of brewing coffee by boiling coarse grounds with water and settling the grounds at the bottom.
Cowboy potatoes: Rustic, skillet-fried potatoes, sometimes with onions, peppers, or other seasonings, have a great cast iron char on the outside and are soft and tender on the inside.
Alternatively, try oven-baked crunchy potatoes and crispy-crusted parmesan roasted potatoes.
Cowboy Breakfast Casserole: A hearty breakfast casserole typically made with bacon, onions, black beans, potatoes, bell peppers, and eggs, topped with shredded cheese, and baked.
These are great alongside cinnamon rolls made with heavy whipping cream.
Cowboy Butter: A spicy compound butter made with garlic, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and a mix of herbs and spices. It’s typically served as a dip for steak bites or juicy grilled meats.
Cowboy Skillet Cookie: A giant chocolate chip cookie made in a cast-iron skillet.
While we do not have a skillet cookie, we have a giant cookie made in the air fryer, which is the same thing.
Cowboy Tater Tot Casserole: A great dinner recipe, this BBQ tater tot hot dish has full, robust flavors and is so filling you don’t need a side dish.
Easy Chili recipe: Every cowboy and cowgirl must have a chili recipe ready at the helm!
This stovetop chili is a hearty and thick soup made with ground beef, various vegetables, beans, and a tomato-based broth. Serve in a cornbread bowl for the full Southern cooking experience.
