Description
Cowboy Beans are a hearty, smoky, and slightly sweet dish packed with bacon, ground beef, and a variety of beans simmered in a tangy barbecue sauce. Perfect for potlucks, cookouts, or a comforting side dish!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1/2 lb bacon, chopped
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 (15 oz) cans pork and beans, undrained
- 1 (15 oz) can cannellini beans, drained
- 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained
- 1 (15 oz) can pinto beans, drained
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
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Cook the Bacon & Onion:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, cook the bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside.
- Leave the bacon grease in the pot and add the onion. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
-
Brown the Beef:
- Stir in garlic and ground beef, breaking it apart as it cooks. Cook until beef is browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess grease.
-
Combine & Bake:
- Add the cooked bacon back to the pot, followed by chili powder, all the beans, barbecue sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Stir well and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Transfer to the oven and bake uncovered for 45 minutes, until the sauce has thickened and caramelized.
Notes
- Add a diced jalapeño for extra heat.
- Swap ground beef for ground turkey for a leaner option.
- Serve as a side or enjoy as a main dish with cornbread.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 10g
- Protein: 22
- Cholesterol: 40mg