Description
Cowboy Beans are a hearty, flavorful mix of ground beef, bacon, and three types of beans slow-simmered in a sweet, smoky barbecue sauce. It’s the kind of dish that works perfectly for potlucks, backyard gatherings, or an easy weeknight dinner. Comforting, bold, and surprisingly easy to make.
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
6 slices thick-cut bacon
1 medium onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cans (15 oz each) pinto beans, undrained
1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, undrained
1 can (15 oz) pork and beans, undrained
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juice
3/4 cup barbecue sauce
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons yellow mustard
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
1. In a large Dutch oven over medium heat, cook chopped bacon until crisp. Remove and set aside, leaving a bit of the grease.
2. Add ground beef to the pot and brown until fully cooked. Drain excess fat if needed.
3. Stir in diced onion and minced garlic. Cook for about 5 minutes until fragrant and softened.
4. Add pinto beans, kidney beans, pork and beans, and diced tomatoes with juice. Stir well.
5. Mix in barbecue sauce, brown sugar, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper until fully combined.
6. Lower the heat and simmer uncovered for 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
7. Fold in the cooked bacon just before serving and let it warm through.
8. Serve hot with cornbread, rice, or as a side dish.
Notes
For a smoky boost, use a chipotle-flavored barbecue sauce or add a pinch of smoked paprika.
This dish gets better after sitting overnight—perfect for make-ahead meals.
If using dried beans, be sure to soak and fully cook them before adding to the pot.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: cowboy beans, baked beans with meat, hearty bean dish