These Cowboy Beans are a hearty and flavorful dish that’s perfect for a potluck, a backyard barbecue, or a cozy night in! Imagine tender baked beans simmered with ground beef, bacon, and a sweet and smoky sauce. This recipe is easy to make and sure to satisfy a crowd.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Flavorful and Hearty: The combination of ground beef, bacon, baked beans, and a sweet and smoky sauce creates a deeply satisfying and flavorful dish.
- Easy One-Pot Meal: This recipe requires just one pot, making it simple to prepare and minimizing cleanup.
- Crowd-Pleaser: This dish is perfect for feeding a crowd and is always a hit at potlucks and gatherings.
- Versatile: Serve it as a side dish or a main course with your favorite barbecue accompaniments.
Ingredients
- Ground beef: Adds a hearty and savory base to the beans.
- Yellow onion: Provides a savory base and sweetness.
- Green bell pepper: Adds color, texture, and a touch of sweetness.
- Garlic salt and onion powder: Enhance the savory flavors of the dish.
- Bacon: Cooked and crumbled, it adds a smoky and salty crunch.
- Brown sugar (optional): Adds a touch of sweetness to balance the savory flavors.
- Baked beans: Use your favorite variety of baked beans for a convenient and flavorful base.
- Barbecue sauce: Contributes a smoky and tangy flavor.
- Dijon mustard: Adds a touch of tanginess and complexity to the sauce.
Note: For exact measurements, see the recipe card below!
How to Make Cowboy Beans
Step 1: Brown the Beef and Vegetables
Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a large, oven-safe pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium heat with the diced onion and green bell pepper. Season with garlic salt and onion powder. Cook until the beef is no longer pink, then drain any excess grease.
Step 2: Add Remaining Ingredients
Stir in the cooked bacon crumbles, brown sugar (if using), baked beans, barbecue sauce, and Dijon mustard. Mix well to combine all the ingredients.
Step 3: Bake and Serve
Cover the pot and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour, or until the beans are heated through, bubbly, and thickened. Serve warm and enjoy!
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Use lean ground beef: For a healthier version, use lean ground beef or ground turkey.
- Customize the beans: Use your favorite variety of baked beans, such as vegetarian baked beans or spicy baked beans.
- Adjust the sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet dish, reduce the amount of brown sugar or omit it altogether.
- Add other ingredients: Feel free to add other ingredients to the beans, such as diced jalapeños for heat, or a can of corn for sweetness and texture.
How to Serve
These Cowboy Beans are delicious served as a side dish or a main course:
- Side Dish: Serve them alongside grilled meats, barbecue ribs, or pulled pork.
- Main Course: Pair them with cornbread, coleslaw, and potato salad for a complete and satisfying meal.
- Topping: Use them as a topping for baked potatoes or nachos.
Make Ahead and Storage
These Cowboy Beans are great for making ahead of time or storing leftovers.
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezing
You can freeze the beans for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave, stirring occasionally.
FAQs
1. Can I make this recipe in a slow cooker? Yes, you can! Brown the ground beef and vegetables first, then transfer them to the slow cooker with the remaining ingredients. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until the beans are heated through and thickened.
2. Can I use canned beans instead of baked beans? Yes, you can! Use your favorite variety of canned beans, such as kidney beans, pinto beans, or black beans. You may need to adjust the amount of liquid and seasonings to your liking.
3. Can I make this recipe vegetarian? Yes, you can! Omit the ground beef and bacon, and use vegetarian baked beans. You can also add other vegetables, such as mushrooms or zucchini, for a heartier dish.
4. Can I add other seasonings to the beans? Absolutely! Chili powder, cumin, or smoked paprika would be delicious additions.
This Cowboy Beans Recipe is a flavorful and hearty dish that’s perfect for any occasion. With its easy preparation and satisfying flavors, it’s a recipe you’ll want to make again and again!
PrintCowboy Beans Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Bake, Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Southwestern
Description
These Cowboy Beans are a hearty and flavorful side dish that’s perfect for any barbecue or potluck! Ground beef, bacon, and a medley of vegetables are simmered in a sweet and smoky sauce with baked beans. This easy recipe is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced (approximately 1 cup)
- 1 green bell pepper, diced (approximately 1 cup)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (optional)
- 2 cans (28 ounces each) baked beans (such as Bush’s Original Baked Beans)
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Brown Meat: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a 4-quart, oven-safe pot (like a Dutch oven) over medium heat, brown the ground beef with the onion, bell pepper, garlic salt, and onion powder. Drain any excess grease.
- Combine Ingredients: Stir in the cooked bacon crumbles, brown sugar (if using), baked beans, barbecue sauce, and Dijon mustard. Mix well to combine all ingredients.
- Bake: Cover the pot and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour, or until the beans are heated through, bubbly, and thickened.
- Serve: Serve the Cowboy Beans warm.
Notes
- You can use any type of ground meat you like, such as ground turkey or chicken.
- If you don’t have an oven-safe pot, you can transfer the mixture to a casserole dish before baking.
- For a spicier dish, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ¾ cup
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
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