Cowboy Baked Beans: A Hearty and Delicious Treat
A hearty and delicious treat, these Cowboy Baked Beans are packed with flavor and perfect for feeding a crowd. This recipe combines multiple types of beans with savory bacon, ground beef, and a tangy-sweet sauce, making it a perfect side dish for picnics or family dinners.
Equipment
- slow cooker
- large Dutch oven
- deep casserole dish
- heavy skillet
- slotted spoon
Ingredients
- 1 lb applewood smoked bacon
- 1 large yellow onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 lb ground beef 85/15 recommended
- 48 oz canned baked beans do not drain
- 32 oz canned kidney beans drain
- 16 oz canned cannellini beans drain
- 32 oz canned black beans drain
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
Instructions
- Chop bacon into small pieces and brown in a skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon, reserving the drippings.
- Add chopped onion to the bacon drippings and cook until translucent, about 5-6 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
- Brown ground beef for 6-8 minutes. Return the cooked bacon to the pan with the beef, onion, and garlic.
- Add undrained baked beans and drained kidney, cannellini, and black beans. Stir in brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, ketchup, and yellow mustard. Mix well.
- Transfer the mixture to a slow cooker or a deep Dutch oven/casserole dish. Cook on Low in a slow cooker for 2 hours, or bake covered at 350°F for 1.5 hours. Serve hot.
Notes
Bean variations include lima, pork and beans, navy, pinto, or white beans. Lean ground beef is an acceptable substitute. Apple cider vinegar balances sweetness; reduce brown sugar if desired. Applewood smoked bacon is preferred for smoky flavor; add more bacon or liquid smoke for extra smoke. Canned beans are used for convenience and texture.