Of course! Here is a classic, hearty recipe for Cowboy Baked Beans, perfect for a potluck, barbecue, or a cozy family dinner. This recipe takes canned beans to a whole new level with extra meat, spices, and a sweet and savory sauce.
Why This Recipe Works
This isn’t just opening a can of beans. By starting with a base of bacon and ground beef, building a flavorful sauce from scratch, and baking it all together, you create a deep, complex, and smoky flavor that’s far superior to store-bought. The name “Cowboy” implies it’s hearty, meaty, and can feed a hungry crowd.
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Classic Cowboy Baked Beans
Yields: 8-10 servings Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 1 hour
Ingredients
· 6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
· 1 lb ground beef (80/20 is best for flavor)
· 1 medium yellow onion, diced
· 1 green bell pepper, diced
· 3 cloves garlic, minced
· 2 (28 oz) cans Pork and Beans (like Van Camp’s or Busch’s), undrained
· 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
· 1 (15 oz) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
· ¾ cup barbecue sauce (use a smoky, hickory-flavored sauce if possible)
· ½ cup ketchup
· ⅓ cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)
· 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
· 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
· 1 teaspoon chili powder
· ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (key for that smoky flavor)
· Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cook the Bacon: In a large oven-safe Dutch oven or a deep skillet, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon and set it aside on a paper towel, leaving the drippings in the pot.
3. Brown the Beef: Add the ground beef to the bacon drippings. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until no longer pink. Drain off excess grease, if necessary.
4. Sauté Aromatics: Add the diced onion and green pepper to the beef and cook for 5-7 minutes, until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for one more minute until fragrant.
5. Combine Everything: Return the cooked bacon to the pot. Add the Pork and Beans (with their sauce), drained kidney beans, and drained pinto beans. Stir gently to combine.
6. Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the barbecue sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, and smoked paprika. Pour this sauce over the bean and meat mixture. Stir until everything is evenly coated. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper (be cautious as the bacon and canned beans already contain salt).
7. Bake: If your pot is oven-safe, transfer it directly to the preheated oven. If not, transfer the mixture to a 9×13-inch baking dish. Bake uncovered for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the sauce is thickened and bubbly around the edges.
8. Rest and Serve: Remove from the oven and let it sit for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to thicken further. Serve hot.
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Recipe Tips & Variations
· Beans: Feel free to mix and match your beans! Great options include black beans, cannellini beans, or great northern beans. The “Pork and Beans” can is important for the base sauce, but the others are flexible.
· Spice Level: For a kick, add a diced jalapeño (with seeds for more heat) when you sauté the bell pepper, or add a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce.
· Sweetness: The brown sugar can be adjusted to your taste. Start with ⅓ cup and add more if you like it sweeter. Some recipes also use a tablespoon of molasses for a deeper flavor.
· Smoky Flavor: If you don’t have smoked paprika, a few drops of liquid smoke work wonderfully. Be careful, as it’s potent!
· Make it in a Slow Cooker: Follow steps 2-4 to cook the bacon, beef, and veggies on the stove. Transfer that mixture to a slow cooker, add the beans and sauce ingredients, and stir. Cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours.
· Make Ahead: You can assemble the entire dish a day ahead, cover it, and keep it in the refrigerator. Let it sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before baking. You may need to add 10-15 minutes to the baking time.
Enjoy your delicious, homemade Cowboy Baked Beans! They’re sure to be a hit.