Slow cooker cowboy casserole is a classic American comfort food that we have jazzed up with chipotle and smoky BBQ brisket.
Cowboy casserole is a hearty dish that usually consists of ground beef, beans, cheese, corn, and tater tots.
It’s started on the stovetop and finished in the oven to meld the flavors together, cook the tater tots, and melt the cheese.
In this recipe, we’ve taken the original casserole and made it suitable for a slow cooker so you can pop it on and walk away while it does all the work.
We have swapped out the tater tots for hash browns or potatoes because the tater tots will get mushy in the slow cooker.
We’ve also replaced the ground beef for BBQ brisket and added chipotle for a smoky, chili kick.
This dish will warm you from the inside out with its warm and cozy flavors.
Why you will love this Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole recipe…
Smoky Brisket and Chipotle Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole
Equipment
Ingredients
For the casserole:
- 3 cups shredded BBQ brisket (or pulled pork)
- 1 (15oz)can baked beans
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1 (10oz)can Rotel (diced tomatoes + green chilies)
- 1-2 chipotle peppers in adobo, chopped (plus 1 tbsp adobo sauce)
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 2 cups frozen diced hash browns or baby potatoes
- 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Salt & pepper, to taste
For the lime crema:
- ½ cup sour cream
- Zest + juice of 1 lime
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
Ingredients
- Add your shredded brisket, baked beans, corn, Rotel, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and hash browns into your slow cooker. Give it a solid stir to mix everything together.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 5–6 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the potatoes are tender and everything is hot and bubbly.
- Sprinkle cheddar over the top, cover again, and let it melt for about 10–15 minutes. Gooey, melty perfection.
- While that cheese is doin’ its thing, mix together sour cream, lime zest, juice, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl.
- Dish it out hot, drizzle with lime crema, and maybe top with a few pickled jalapeños or chopped cilantro if you’re feeling fancy.
Nutrition
Serving Suggestions
This hearty slow cooker cowboy casserole is ideal to serve for a family meal or when entertaining guests. It’s best served with cornbread, tortilla chips, and a slaw on the side. For a fresh, zesty contrast, pair it with Cowboy Caviar as a side salad or dip. Enjoy with a cold beer or a glass of sweet tea.
Expert Tips 🧑🍳
Storage Suggestions
Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole FAQs
Can I use ground beef instead of brisket?
Yes, the traditional recipe uses ground beef, so this is an ideal substitute.
Is cowboy casserole very spicy?
The original is not spicy, but this recipe has some heat from the chipotle that is adjustable.
Can I make this vegetarian?
Yes, you can make this dish vegetarian by swapping out the brisket for vegan ground beef.
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Leave a Comment