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!
Heat a large dutch oven over medium high heat on the stove top.
Add the bacon to the pan and cook until crispy.
Remove the bacon from the pan and drain off most of the bacon grease. Leave a small amount in the pan to brown the onion in. Roughly chop the bacon.
Add in the diced onion and cook over medium heat until tender.
Add in the ground beef and minced garlic. Cook for 5-7 minutes, breaking up the beef as it cooks, until the beef is no longer pink and cooked through.
Drain off any excess grease. Turn off the heat.
Stir in the chopped bacon, chili powder, salt, pepper, all the beans, barbecue sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, dijon mustard and worcestershire sauce until combined.
Transfer the dutch oven to the oven and bake, uncovered, for 45 minutes.
Remove from heat, serve warm and enjoy!
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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.