Description
This hearty Cowboy Beans recipe combines savory ground beef, crispy bacon, and a mix of beans simmered in a tangy barbecue sauce. Perfect as a flavorful side dish or a filling main, it’s easy to prepare on the stovetop, offering a comforting taste of classic American BBQ cuisine.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Aromatics
- 1 pound ground beef
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Beans
- 1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15-ounce) can butter beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15-ounce) can pork and beans (do not drain)
Sauces and Seasonings
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the Bacon: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crisp. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon from the skillet and set it aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.
- Brown the Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the same skillet and cook over medium heat until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon to ensure even cooking. Once browned, drain any excess grease from the meat.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the ground beef. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the onions are softened and fragrant.
- Combine Ingredients: Transfer the beef mixture to a large pot or Dutch oven. Add the cooked bacon, kidney beans, pinto beans, butter beans, pork and beans (do not drain), ketchup, barbecue sauce, brown sugar, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper.
- Simmer the Beans: Stir all ingredients together until well combined. Cover the pot and simmer uncovered over low heat for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and to meld flavors.
- Alternative Baking Method: For a baked variation, pour the combined mixture into a baking dish and bake uncovered at 350°F (175°C) for 45 minutes until bubbly and thickened.
Notes
- For a smoky flavor, use smoked bacon or add a few dashes of liquid smoke.
- You can prepare this dish in a slow cooker on low for 4–6 hours for convenience and deeper flavor infusion.
- To ensure the recipe is gluten-free, choose gluten-free labeled barbecue sauce, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Adjust the brown sugar and barbecue sauce according to your preferred sweetness and tanginess.
