17 Recipes Fit for a Cowboy

Whether you spend time on a ranch, are a fan of old Westerns or have been playing country music albums on repeat, you might have cowboys on the brain. Try one of these recipes – many of which offer meaty, Tex-Mex flavors – that seem to have been made with cowboys in mind. From Cowboy Cookies, which are as sweet as they are energy-packed, to easy-sipping Ranch Water, you don’t have to be a cowboy to get a taste of the West.

Start with Cowboy Caviar. You can thank Oklahoma for this easy, bright and tangy salad. It’s made with one of the state’s staple crops, black-eyed peas – or cowpeas as some in the “Sooner State” like to say. With bursts of corn, tomato and pepper, it's a salad that can be served cold or at room temperature, making it perfect for a picnic or tailgate party.

Ree’s recipe for a big pot of beans is a little sweet, a little spicy and a lot satisfying. This “classic cowboy side” is made with a bit of bacon for heft, and chili powder for some zip and color. A generous helping of these thickly sauced pinto beans will keep you powered through the day.

This simple drink traces its roots to Austin though there are several stories claiming its exact origins. Just stir together tequila blanco and fresh lime juice, then top with sparkling mineral water for an ultra-refreshing drink, especially on a hot day.

Also known as candied jalapeños, cowboy candy is a mix of spicy and sweet that satisfies both a chile craving and sweet tooth. The peppers are quickly cooked in a sweet and tangy pickling liquid, then the liquid is reduced to an irresistible syrup. Combine the syrup with the peppers and you have a treat with a delicious kick. Snack on them alone, serve with burgers, sprinkle over nachos or add them to cornbread or chicken salad – they'll liven up just about anything and keep refrigerated for up to two weeks.

Butter requires very little to make it taste delicious, but in this recipe, the herbs, garlic and chile take it over the top. You can use Ree’s Cowboy Butter for mashed potatoes, or spread it on freshly baked bread.

They may not be in your grandmother’s recipe box, but slow-roasted potatoes in spiced cowboy butter is a delicious, festive side dish perfectly matched to the holiday’s flavors. If you’re not familiar with cowboy butter you’re in for a treat: It’s a compound butter — butter that’s been softened, mixed with seasonings and then chilled — that’s famous for its bold herby, garlicky, spicy flavor. It’s ideal paired with roasted Yukon gold potatoes and likely to become a favorite. You might want to make a double batch of the butter and save some for melting over steaks, chicken, vegetables or anything that needs a flavor kick.

Another great way to use Cowboy Butter? Shrimp and grits. Food Network Kitchen’s take on this compound butter includes garlic, lemon and parsley, to pair perfectly with the classic comfort food.

These unassuming cookies are loaded with a variety of filling, satisfying bits. Its oat-based batter includes pecans, chocolate chips and shredded coconut. Pack these up for an afternoon pick-me-up, or a sweet grab-and-go breakfast.

These are no ordinary nachos. Instead of ground beef, Ree takes this party dish to the next level with fork-tender braised beef brisket. Bacon-flavored pinto beans add a cowboy flare.

Ellie Krieger says legend has it that cowboys rubbed their steaks with what they had on hand – and one favorite? Coffee. Along with ancho chili powder and brown sugar, Ellie uses fine ground espresso to bring eye-opening flavor to shoulder center a.k.a. Ranch steak.

While the cheeky name of these cookies might have you thinking twice, rest assured that these big, chocolatey treats are full of sweet things only. Dried cranberries, chocolate chips and caramelized nuts bring a variety of texture to every bite.

Rachael’s spaghetti has all the heartiness of a chili – plenty of meat and heat – plus the comfort of pasta. With two crowd-pleasing comfort foods combined into one, this recipe is primed to be a family favorite.

Trisha uses three (yes, three!) meats – ground beef chuck, pork sausage and pepperoni – in her hearty Cowboy Lasagna. There’s plenty of protein between layers of cheese and noodles to power you through the day.

This 6-ingredient appetizer is perfect for guests. Ree cuts circles out of a sheet of frozen puff pastry, and places jalapeño slices on each one. Manchego cheese and Parmesan tie each bite together.

Ree says this is the perfect 16-minute meal. Chopped salad gets a cowboy twist with bacon and fried tortilla strips. She also adds barbeque and hot sauce to the dressing, and tosses it into a cool, crisp iceberg lettuce (the “quintessential cowboy green”) salad.

For an easy meal for a crowd of cowboys, put together Cowboy Quiche, which, of course, includes bacon – plus sharp Cheddar and caramelized onions.