50 Cowboy Copycat Recipes (2024)

Home Recipes Cooking Style Comfort Food

Take a bite out of the Wild West! These cowboy-inspired recipes include low-and-slow briskets, southwestern casseroles, hearty chilis and more.

Laura Bush’s Cowboy Cookies

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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

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

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

Cowboy Caviar

This cowboy caviar is full of big flavors, with plenty of beans, corn, cilantro, garlic, red onion and lime juice. Serve with sturdy tortilla chips to get the most out of every bite. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Southwestern Casserole

I’ve been making this mild family-pleasing southwest casserole for years. It tastes wonderful and fits nicely into our budget. Best of all, the recipe makes a second casserole to freeze and enjoy later. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas

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

Wyoming Cowboy Cookies

These cookies are very popular here in Wyoming. Mix up a batch for your crew and see why. —Patsy Steenbock, Shoshoni, Wyoming

Chicken Tortilla Bake

Mother frequently made this comforting chicken tortilla casserole when I was growing up. Our family would scrape the pan clean. Chicken, cheese and zippy green chiles are a mouthwatering mix. —Jerri Moror, Rio Rancho, New Mexico

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

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

Cowboy Casserole

This quick and creamy Tater Tot bake is great comfort food, especially on a cold night. —Donna Donhauser, Remsen, New York

Cornbread-Topped Chicken Chili

After seeing a recipe for a slow cooker chicken potpie, I knew I had to try it. I loved the idea of a no-fuss chicken casserole, but wanted a Southwestern taste. I added peppers, spices and a crust that is more like a corn bread topping.—Nicole Filizetti, Grand Marais, Michigan

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

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

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

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

Anaheim Chicken Tortilla Soup

Put a little spice in your menu with my favorite Anaheim pepper recipe. The peppers, jalapenos and cayenne heat up this full-flavored tortilla soup. —Johnna Johnson, Scottsdale, Arizona

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

Tex-Mex Cheesesteak Sandwiches

We adore cheesesteak sandwiches and anything with southwestern flavor, so I combined the two. If you crave even more firepower, add chopped jalapenos. —Joan Hallford, Fort Worth, Texas

Frito Pie

Frito pie is legendary in the Southwest for being spicy, salty and cheesy fabulous. Here’s my easy take on this crunchy classic. —Jan Moon, Alamogordo, New Mexico

Breaded Pork Tenderloin

Meat is a hard sell with my teenage daughter unless I make it look like a restaurant dish. Drizzle ranch dressing or barbecue sauce on top and it's a home run. —Donna Carney, New Lexington, Ohio

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

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

Confetti Cornbread

My grandmother Virginia always served Southwest cornbread. To honor her, I created a recipe that cuts down on the chopping but never skimps on flavor. —Angie Price, Bradford, Tennessee

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

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

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

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

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

Calico Cowboy Beans

This cowboy beans recipe is tradition when my girlfriends and I go up north for a girls' weekend. The husbands and kids are left at home, but the slow cooker comes with us! —Julie Butsch, Hartland, Wisconsin

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

Crispy Fried Chicken

If you've wanted to learn how to make crispy fried chicken, this is the recipe for you. Always a picnic favorite, this deep-fried chicken recipe is delicious either hot or cold. Kids call it my Kentucky Fried Chicken! —Jeanne Schnitzler, Lima, Montana

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

Buffalo Chicken Dip

This is the best buffalo chicken dip recipe! Whenever I bring buffalo dip to a tailgate or potluck, everyone asks for the recipe. —Peggy Foster, Florence, Kentucky

Easy Potato Rolls

After I discovered this recipe, it became a mainstay for me. I make the dough ahead of time when company is coming, and I try to keep some in the refrigerator to bake for our ranch hands. Leftover mashed potatoes are almost sure to go into these rolls. —Jeanette McKinney, Belleview, Missouri

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, hom*osassa, Florida

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

Cowboy Queso

This spin on a classic cheese dip adds beans, tomatoes, ground meat and light beer for a cowboy-approved dish. Pair this queso with Tater Tots, corn chips or tortilla chips for an irresistible party snack. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Looking for more? Try this Pioneer Woman’s tater tot casserole recipe.

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, Wisconsin

Also 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.

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

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

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

Southwestern Bean Dip

Just by using different types of beans, you can make this dip as spicy as you like it. My family could eat this as a complete meal. —Jeanne Shear, Sabetha, Kansas

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Caroline has been with Taste of Home for the past seven years, working in both print and digital. After starting as an intern for the magazine and special interest publication teams, Caroline was hired as the third-ever digital editor for Taste of Home. Since then, she has researched, written and edited content on just about every topic the site covers, including cooking techniques, buzzy food news, gift guides and many, many recipe collections. Caroline also acts as the editorial lead for video, working with the Test Kitchen, videographers and social media team to produce videos from start to finish.When she’s not tip-tapping on a keyboard, Caroline is probably mixing up a killer co*cktail, reading a dog-eared library book or cooking up a multi-course feast (sometimes all at once). Though she technically lives in Milwaukee, there is a 50/50 chance Caroline is in Chicago or southwest Michigan visiting her close-knit family.