Cowboy Beans Recipe

Introduction

Cowboy Beans are a hearty, flavorful dish perfect for family dinners or potlucks. Combining ground beef, bacon, and baked beans with a touch of barbecue sauce creates a comforting and satisfying meal. This recipe is simple to prepare and delivers classic, smoky flavors in every bite.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced (approximately 1 cup)
• 1 green bell pepper, diced (approximately 1 cup)
• ½ teaspoon garlic salt
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• ¼ cup brown sugar (optional)
• 2 cans (28 ounces each) baked beans (we used Bush’s Original Baked Beans)
• ½ cup barbecue sauce
• 2 tablespoons dijon mustard

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Step 2: In a heavy-bottom, oven-safe pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, combine the ground beef, diced onion, diced green bell pepper, garlic salt, and onion powder. Cook until the beef is no longer pink, stirring occasionally.
3. Step 3: Drain any excess liquid from the pot to avoid a watery dish.
4. Step 4: Add the cooked and crumbled bacon, brown sugar if using, baked beans, barbecue sauce, and dijon mustard. Stir well to incorporate all the ingredients evenly.
5. Step 5: Cover the pot with a lid and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 1 hour until the beans are hot, bubbly, and the sauce has thickened.
6. Step 6: Remove from the oven and serve warm as a main dish or side.

Tips & Variations

• For a spicier kick, add a dash of cayenne pepper or chopped jalapeños when cooking the beef.
• Omit the brown sugar if you prefer a less sweet dish, or substitute with maple syrup for a different sweetness profile.
• Use smoked sausage instead of ground beef for a different texture and smoky flavor.
• If you don’t have bacon, try adding smoked paprika to boost the smoky taste.

Storage

Store leftover cowboy beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through. You can also freeze the beans for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make cowboy beans without bacon?

Yes, you can omit the bacon if you prefer a pork-free version. To maintain a smoky flavor, consider adding smoked paprika or a splash of liquid smoke.

Is it necessary to bake cowboy beans or can I cook them on the stove?

Baking helps the flavors meld and thickens the sauce nicely, but you can simmer the beans on the stove over low heat for about 30-40 minutes if you prefer. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

Cowboy Beans Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 104 reviews

A hearty and flavorful Cowboy Beans recipe featuring ground beef, bacon, baked beans, and a tangy blend of barbecue sauce and mustard, slow baked to perfection in the oven for a rich and comforting dish.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Vegetables

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced (approximately 1 cup)
• 1 green bell pepper, diced (approximately 1 cup)

Seasonings

• ½ teaspoon garlic salt
• ½ teaspoon onion powder

Additional Ingredients

• 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• ¼ cup brown sugar (optional)
• 2 cans (28 ounces each) baked beans (Bush’s Original Baked Beans recommended)
• ½ cup barbecue sauce
• 2 tablespoons dijon mustard

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the beans later.
2. Cook the base ingredients: In a 4-quart heavy bottom, oven-safe pot like a Dutch oven, add the ground beef, diced onion, diced green bell pepper, garlic salt, and onion powder. Cook over medium heat until the ground beef is no longer pink, breaking it up as it cooks.
3. Drain excess liquid: Once the meat is cooked through, drain any excess fat and liquid to prevent the beans from becoming greasy.
4. Add flavorings: Stir in the cooked and crumbled bacon, brown sugar (if using), baked beans, barbecue sauce, and dijon mustard thoroughly, incorporating all ingredients evenly.
5. Bake the beans: Cover the pot with its lid and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 1 hour until the beans are hot, bubbly, and thickened.
6. Serve warm: Carefully remove the pot from the oven and serve the Cowboy Beans warm as a satisfying main dish or side.

Notes

• You can omit the brown sugar for a less sweet version of the beans.
• If you prefer, substitute bacon with smoked sausage or keep it vegetarian by omitting meat and bacon and adding more spices.
• Use a heavy-bottomed, oven-safe pot such as a Dutch oven to prevent burning and allow even cooking.
• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
• Adjust the barbecue sauce and mustard to taste for more tang or sweetness.

Keywords: Cowboy Beans, baked beans, ground beef recipe, hearty bean dish, barbecue beans, comfort food, Dutch oven recipe