Satisfy your craving for hearty, flavorful beans with this recipe for Cowboy Beans. Packed with ground beef, bacon, onion, garlic, spices, and a hint of sweetness, this dish is a crowd-pleaser perfect for any occasion.
I am in love with these mouthwatering good cowboy beans. They are just that tasty. I made them again last night, and I thought hubby and I would have to play rock paper scissors for the last little spoonful in the pot. They are the ideal meal for busy families.
You can prepare them in one of three ways. Either on the stovetop in a Dutch oven and simmer them as long as you like, or start them on the stovetop or in a Dutch oven and finish baking in the oven, or transfer them to a crock pot and finish cooking them there. If you like the flavors and ease of this recipe, try cowboy casserole, crock pot chili, sloppy joes, or Texas chili.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Bacon: thick cut
- Ground beef: with some fat in it, like 85/15. Fat gives the beef flavor.
- Garlic: fresh, please
- Beans: like pinto beans, kidney beans, navy beans, great northern beans, or black beans
- Seasonings: chili powder, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper
- Mustard: prepared mustard (like the one for hotdogs)
- Barbecue sauce: your favorite brand will work
- Apple cider vinegar: adds a little tang.
How to Make Cowboy Beans
First, brown the bacon over medium heat in a large Dutch oven. Using a slotted spoon, move the browned bacon to a layer of paper towels to drain, leaving the bacon grease in the pot. Add the ground beef and cook until it is about halfway browned. Then, add the onions and cook until the onions are soft. Reduce the heat to low and add the garlic. Cook for 1 minute while stirring. Drain the excess fat from the mixture.
Please note at this point, you can transfer everything to a crock pot, add the remaining ingredients, including the cooked bacon, and cook on high for 2 hours or low for 4 hours. Or add the remaining ingredients, including the cooked bacon, to the pot and simmer for a couple of hours, stirring frequently, or place the pot in the oven for a little over an hour. Whichever way you wish to finish cooking the beans, season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper before serving.
Recipe Tips
- Purchase good quality smoked nitrate-free bacon and get it crispy.
- Buy ground beef with a little bit of fat in it. The fat is what gives it flavor.
- Get the old-style pork and beans, not those ready to pour into the pot, and bake. I use Van Camp’s pork and beans.
- Drain any excess grease from the meats. No one wants a layer of grease on their cowboy beans.
- If you like a little bit of heat, add a couple of pinches of crushed red pepper, a little bit of siracha, or a 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne pepper. Go slowly, taste it, and see if you need more.
Serving Suggestions
This dish is a hearty meal, but here are a few ideas.
- Cornbread
- Corn fritters
- Air fryer potato wedges
- Creamy coleslaw
- Southern potato salad
- Roasted corn
- Beer bread
- Corn muffins
- Johnny cakes
- Cowboy caviar
Storage and Reheat
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat or microwave at reduced power so the beans do not explode.
Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat on the stovetop over low heat or microwave at reduced power.
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Cowboy Beans
Ingredients
- 6 slices thick-cut bacon chopped
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 (28-ounce) can pork and beans do not drain
- 1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans rinsed and drained
- 1 (15-ounce) can dark red kidney beans rinsed and drained
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 2 tablespoons prepared yellow mustard the hotdog kind
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- Kosher salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Brown the bacon over medium heat in a large Dutch oven. Using a slotted spoon move the browned bacon to a layer of paper towels to drain, leaving the bacon grease in the pot.
- Add the ground beef and cook until it is about halfway browned. Add the onions and cook until the onions are soft. Reduce the heat to low and add the garlic. Cook for 1 minute while stirring. Drain the excess fat from the mixture.
- Please note at this point you can transfer everything to a crock pot, add the remaining ingredients including the cooked bacon and cook on high for 2 hours or low for 4 hours. Or add the remaining ingredients including the cooked bacon to the pot and simmer for 2 hours stirring frequently. Or place the pot in the oven at 350-degrees for 1 hour. Whichever way you wish to finish cooking the beans season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper before serving.
- Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Notes
- Purchase good quality smoked nitrate-free bacon and get it crispy.
- Buy ground beef with a little bit of fat in it. The fat is what gives it flavor.
- Get the old-style pork and beans, not the ones that are ready to pour into the pot, and bake. I use Van Camp’s pork and beans.
- Drain any excess grease from the meats. No one wants a layer of grease on their cowboy beans.
- If you like a little bit of heat, turn it up some by adding a couple pinches of crushed red pepper, a little bit of siracha, or a 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne pepper. Go slowly, taste it, and see if you need more.
Nutrition
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Ricardo
This was such a tasty recipe! My boys and I loved it! We will definately make it again!
Joy
I had not made beans in ages. They were delicious and I remembered how much I loved them! Thanks for the great recipe!
Marilyn
This was a great bean recipe. I have never tried anything like this. I loved it. This recipe is a keeper!
Julie Dixon
Chili is a favorite in our house, and now your easy crockpot cowboy beans is in our rotation. So good and a great change-up from the usual.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Julie! So glad that you like them!
Cathy
I’ve always wanted to make these beans. I’m going to give this recipe a try! I will let you know what the family thinks.
Allison C
My partner loves homemade beans, and I haven’t made them in ages. Thank you for the delicious-sounding recipe! I’m on it probably this weekend! And I need to check out your cottage pie recipe next!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Allison! Enjoy!
Emily F
I had never heard of cowboy beans before, but these were amazing! So easy and so flavorful! These beans are perfect for large busy families.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Emily! We love them too!
Stephanie L
Yum, Yum! This is definitely not your standard beans out of a can. These Cowboy Beans are my new go-to recipe – easy to put together in my crock pot and taste delish.
Veronica Samos
I just found this and I am so happy to say that I will try to make it for family Sunday brunch! Looks not too difficult, so fingers crossed!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Veronica! Enjoy! You will do fine! It is very easy to make!
Claudia
These are absolutely delicious. I love the Tex Mex kick of flavors. Best BBQ Baked beans ever!
Vickie
Making this! We are super excited!
Thankyou for another yummy recipe ❤️
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Vickie!
Serena
Drain the tomatoes?
Beth Pierce
No do not drain the tomatoes
Dannii
This looks super comforting. Perfect for a cold day like today.
Alison
Hearty and flavorful chili with simple ingredients!
Aimee Mars
Now, this is a recipe I know my husband and I will fight over too! Any recipe that is good for busy families during the week is the kind of recipe I want to make so I’m saving this one for sure. It’s such a great side dish option.
Natalie
I just found this recipe and looks delicious. I have cans of beans that are unused for ages. I’m going to make this for dinner tomorrow. Can’t wait.