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Cowboy beans in a large dutch oven with a gold serving spoon
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Cowboy Beans Recipe

These Cowboy Beans are a hearty one-pot recipe made with crispy bacon, ground beef, onion, garlic, kidney beans, pinto beans, black beans, and baked beans in a tangy, smoky, sweet-savory sauce. They’re easy to make, incredibly filling, and perfect for dinner, potlucks, cookouts, and BBQs.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Rest Time10 minutes
Total Time1 hour 15 minutes
Course: Dinner, Side Dish
Cuisine: Southern
Servings: 8
Author: Kellie
Cost: $15

Equipment

  • dutch oven or deep large skillet
  • chef's knife
  • cutting board
  • mesh strainer
  • measuring cup
  • measuring spoons

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 8 slices bacon chopped
  • 1 medium yellow onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 15 ounce can kidney beans Drained and rinsed
  • 15 ounce can pinto beans drained and rinsed
  • 15 ounce can baked beans drained and rinsed
  • 15 ounce can black beans drained and rinsed
  • 3/4 cup barbecue sauce
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional

Instructions

  • Heat a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Cook the bacon until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving about 2 tablespoons bacon drippings in the pan.
  • Add the onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
  • Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess grease if needed.
  • Stir in the cooked bacon, kidney beans, pinto beans, baked beans, and black beans.
  • Add the barbecue sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
  • Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer.
  • Transfer to a 350°F oven and bake uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes, until thickened and bubbly.
  • Let sit for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • For a little extra heat, add diced jalapeño with the onion.
  • Ground sausage is a great substitute for the ground beef.
  • These beans reheat really well and taste even better the next day.
  • Let the beans rest before serving so the sauce can thicken.
  • If you like a looser sauce, bake for the shorter end of the time range.

Nutrition

Calories: 461kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 53mg | Sodium: 1520mg | Potassium: 1024mg | Fiber: 13g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 307IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 122mg | Iron: 5mg