These calico beans are a tasty combination of ground beef, bacon, and an assortment of beans in a sweet tomato sauce with a touch of yellow mustard. This tasty dish comes together quickly and easily, is always a huge hit, and can be prepped beforehand.
These beans are a tasty one-pot dish packed with protein, vegetables, and plenty of flavor. Enjoy them as a main course with corn muffins or sweet potato cornbread (my favorite way to eat them). Or serve them as a side dish with chicken fried chicken, sloppy joes, or grilled turkey burgers.
What You’ll Need
- Ground beef: I use ground beef with a bit of fat in it because it has more flavor
- Bacon: I like the thick-cut bacon, but any bacon works if it is not cooked.
- Onion: sweet yellow onions
- Pork and Beans: I usually grab a can of VanCamps
- Canned Beans: kidney beans, butter beans, and lima beans, all drained and rinsed
- Ketchup
- Light brown sugar
- Apple cider vinegar: or white vinegar
- Yellow mustard: the hot dog kind
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper: to taste
How To Make Calico Beans
First, brown the ground beef and bacon in a large skillet over medium heat. When they are about halfway browned, add the onion and cook until the beef is done, the bacon is browned, and the onion is soft. Drain any excess grease.
Then, add the pork and beans, kidney beans, butter beans, lima beans, ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and mustard. Simmer over low heat for about 25 minutes, stirring several times.
Season with salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste. See below for instructions on how to cook calico beans in a crockpot and the oven.
Preparation Tips and Storage
- For a bit of zest, use BBQ sauce instead of the ketchup. Homemade barbecue sauce is even better.
- Use any combination of kidney beans, butter beans, and lima beans.
- Serve with a sprinkle of cheddar cheese or a fist full of corn chips
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat or microwave at reduced power so the beans do not explode.
More Ways to Make Calico Beans
Oven: First, brown the ground beef and bacon in a Dutch oven over medium heat. When they are about halfway browned, add the onion and cook until the beef is done, the bacon is browned, and the onion is soft. Drain any excess grease. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes.
Crock pot: Brown the ground beef and bacon in a skillet over medium heat. When they are about halfway browned, add the onion and cook until the beef is done, the bacon is browned, and the onion is soft. Drain any excess grease. Transfer the ingredients to a crock pot. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Cover and cook for 2 hours on high or 4 hours on low.
Serving Suggestions
I like serving homemade cornbread, sweet corn muffins, or butter swim biscuits with the beans. Other great choices are balsamic ribs, strip steak, and chicken fried steak.
More Bean Recipes
Calico Beans
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 8 slices bacon chopped
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 1 (28-ounce) can pork and beans do not drain
- 1 (16-ounce) can kidney beans drained and rinsed
- 1 (16-ounce) can butter beans
- 1 (8.5-ounce) lima beans
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar or white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- salt to taste
- freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef and bacon in a large skillet over medium heat. When they are about halfway browned, add the onion and cook until the beef is done, the bacon is browned, and the onion is soft. Drain any excess grease.
- Add the pork and beans, kidney beans, butter beans, lima beans, ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and mustard. Simmer over low heat for about 25 minutes, stirring several times.
- Season with salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste.
Notes
- For a bit of zest, use BBQ sauce instead of the ketchup. Homemade barbecue sauce is even better.
- Use any combination of kidney beans, butter beans, and lima beans.
- Serve with a sprinkle of cheddar cheese or a fist full of corn chips
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat or microwave at reduced power so the beans do not explode.
Michael
We love these beans. Since you posted the recipe we have made them twice. They are a new family favorite.
Janey
These beans are so full of flavor! Everyone loved them! Thank you for this recipe, it’s perfect for a BBQ
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Janey!
Susan T
These beans are absolutely delicious and versatile! I served them with some smoked ribs but they would also make a great main course with some soup. Thanks for sharing this flavorful recipe and all the helpful tips!
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Susan.
Michelle
This is delicious! Beans with ground beef, bacon, and that sweet-tangy sauce are a tasty meal. My family loved it!
April
Love these. They’re so filling and full of flavor.
Karen C
This is the great recipe. I had never tried calico beans before now. I think I am in love.
Sarah M
These bean were so good for our bbq last weekend! My husband was grilling and I was in charge of sides. Will make again.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Sarah! So happy that you liked me!
Sandra Z
This was a really yummy side dish! Even my kids loved it! Definitely will be making this again!
Kristine
Fantastic recipe for Calico Beans! Such a great mixture and recipe. I look forward to your next post!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Kristine! I am so glad that you liked the calico beans!
Erin S
I love the combination of beans and flavors in your recipe! So delicious, definitely making them again!
Amanda B
I love this recipe. So easy to make and everyone loved every bite!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Amanda! I am so glad that they liked it!
Lisa
Great recipe. This dish was so tasty and easy to make. It is a new fammily favorite. Thanks for the recipe.
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Lisa!
Krystle Smith
I love it! The blend of ground beef, bacon, and various beans creates a hearty, satisfying dish.
Beth Pierce
Yes indeed!
Natalie
Love the variety of beans used in this recipe! So much flavor and such a hearty dish. I will make this again and again!
Emily
Yummy, yummy! I love making beans; they’re such a versatile staple food for making a ton of different recipes. I’ll be making this ASAP with my Gardein ground!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Emily! Enjoy!
Stephanie P
Delish! These calico beans are a fantastic as a main dish – just serve up with a side salad and you have the perfect meal for a family. The mustard adds a special touch to this recipe.