These Hearty Cowboy Recipes Celebrate the Best of Down-Home Cooking

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Cowboy Chicken

This chicken dinner idea checks several of the essential boxes for cowboy cooking: a cast iron skillet, plenty of Southwestern flavor, and a cheesy topping. As one BHG home cook raves, "Easy to make and absolutely delicious! The chicken was very tender, the corn sweet, and the whole dish had great flavor. Will definitely make again."

Cowboy Casserole

This twist on classic Tater Tot casserole earns its cowboy moniker with the addition of bacon, sliced bell peppers, and corn. A savory cream of mushroom sauce pulls the entire one-pan meal together. We recommend serving plenty of hot sauce on the side.

Cowboy Butter

While this compound butter is absolutely divine on steak, it's also delicious slathered on homemade biscuits, melted over roasted vegetables, or tossed with hot pasta. To make it, we're flavoring a stick of salted butter with garlic, lemon zest, fresh herbs, and Dijon mustard. Make a double batch and stash it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Use it right from frozen anytime a dish needs a boost of cowboy flavor.

Cowboy Potatoes

This sheet pan side has been a BHG fan favorite since the day we published the recipe. Earning rave reviews like this one, "These potatoes are delicious! I loved every bite. I will absolutely make this recipe again and again," the dish is one of our most-saved recipes of all time.

Cowboy Cookies

Former First Lady Barbara Bush was famous for her cowboy cookies, and for good reason! The twist on a classic chocolate chip cookie is made even better with the addition of rolled oats, flaked coconut, and chopped pecans. Finish the cookies with a generous pinch of flaky sea salt.

Cowboy Spaghetti

Dress up a plate of spaghetti with canned beans, fire-roasted tomatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, cilantro, and sour cream. But what takes this cowboy recipe to the next level are the options for toppings. Set out bowls of diced red onion, crushed tortilla chips, chopped tomatoes, and salsa, and let everyone customize their bowl.

Cowboy Margarita

This cowboy margarita recipe is one of the most refreshing summer sippers we've ever created. We've kept the classic citrus flavor but rounded out the glass with wheat beer and fresh jalapeño slices for a touch of heat.

Cowboy Beans

It wouldn't be a campfire cookout without beans. Here, we're amping up classic baked beans with bacon, ground beef, and onion. A sweet ketchup and molasses sauce coats the meat mixture and five types of canned beans. If you're planning on making the dish ahead, we've included a slow cooker method as well.

Ranch Water

Ranch water is a refreshing combination of tequila, lime juice, and sparkling water (usually Topo Chico). It's a crisp, cool cocktail that's ideal for sipping on the ranch, around the campfire, or just relaxing on the deck this summer.

Five-Bean Baked Beans

Our other recipe for cowboy beans veers into main dish territory, thanks to the addition of ground beef. Here, just a touch of bacon adds meatiness while making it ideal for serving alongside grilled meats, sandwiches, hot dogs, and more.

Slow Cooker Jalapeño Popper Dip

Classic jalapeño poppers combine so many hallmarks of cowboy cooking: peppery spice, cheese, and bacon. Here we've reimagined those flavors into a hearty slow cooker dip that's perfect for serving at parties and potlucks.

Southwestern Meatball Soup

If you're looking for a cowboy recipe that's great for weeknight dinners, this rustic soup recipe fits the bill. Prep the homemade meatballs ahead, and combine them with beef broth, diced tomatoes, corn, green chiles, and brown rice. Top each bowl with fresh cilantro, lime juice, and crumbled Cotija cheese.