Cowboy Beans

A pot of hearty cowboy food with kidney beans, white beans, ground meat, and tomato sauce sits on a white surface, ladle inside. A striped towel and onion are visible nearby—classic Cowboy Beans for any bean recipe lover.

5 from 1 vote

Cowboy Beans are bold, hearty, and make the best side dish for a weeknight meal, summertime BBQ or your next potluck. Simple ingredients makes this protein-packed dish a crowd favorite!

Prep Time15

Cook Time1

Total Time1 15

Course: Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Servings: -10

Author: Carrie Barnard

Cost: $17.39, $2.17 per Servings

Ingredients

8 ounces Bacon
1 Small Yellow Onion diced
3 cloves Garlic minced (or 1 tablespoon minced garlic)
1 pound Lean Ground Beef
1 Tablespoon Chili Powder
1 teaspoon Salt
½ teaspoon Black Pepper
3 cans Pork and Beans not drained, 15 ounces each
1 cans Cannellini Beans drained, 15 ounces
1 can Kidney Beans drained, 15 ounces
1 cup Barbecue Sauce
½ cup Ketchup
¼ cup Brown Sugar
1 Tablespoons Dijon Mustard
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
In a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook 8 ounces bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon and set aside, leaving a small amount of bacon grease in the pan.
Add 1 small diced yellow onion to the pan and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened.
Stir in 3 cloves minced garlic or 1 tablespoon minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
Add 1 pound lean ground beef and cook until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess grease if needed.
Stir in the cooked bacon, 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper.
Add 3 cans (15 ounces each) pork and beans (not drained), 1 can (15 ounces) cannellini beans (drained), and 1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans (drained).
Stir in 1 cup barbecue sauce, ½ cup ketchup, ¼ cup brown sugar, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, and 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce until everything is well combined.
Transfer the dutch oven to the oven and bake, uncovered, for 45 minutes.
Remove from heat, serve warm and enjoy!

Video

Notes

Refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

To Make in a Slow Cooker:

Cook the bacon, onions, ground beef and garlic based on the instructions. Add these cooked items and all other ingredients to a crock pot. Cook on low for 5-6 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until thickened.

Nutrition