Cowboy Beans Recipe
Introduction
Cowboy Beans are a hearty and flavorful dish perfect for gatherings or a comforting weeknight meal. Combining ground beef, bacon, and baked beans with a touch of barbecue sauce, this recipe offers a delicious balance of smoky and sweet flavors.
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 (such as Bush’s Original Baked Beans)
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Step 2: In a heavy bottom, oven-safe pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, add ground beef, diced onion, diced green bell pepper, garlic salt, and onion powder. Cook until the ground beef is no longer pink, stirring occasionally. Drain excess liquid.
- Step 3: Add the cooked and crumbled bacon, brown sugar (if using), baked beans, barbecue sauce, and Dijon mustard to the pot. Stir all ingredients together until well combined.
- Step 4: Cover the pot with a lid and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour. The beans should be hot, bubbly, and thickened when done.
- Step 5: Remove from the oven and serve warm as a hearty side dish or main course.
Tips & Variations
- For a spicier twist, add a diced jalapeño or a teaspoon of chili powder when cooking the beef and vegetables.
- Omit the brown sugar if you prefer less sweetness in your beans.
- Use turkey bacon or omit bacon altogether for a lighter version.
- Leftover cowboy beans can be topped with shredded cheese or chopped fresh herbs like parsley for added flavor.
Storage
Store leftover cowboy beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove 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 for a bacon-free dish. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious. Adding smoked paprika can help mimic the smoky taste.
Are cowboy beans gluten-free?
Most ingredients in this recipe are naturally gluten-free, but it’s important to check the labels on your baked beans and barbecue sauce to ensure they do not contain gluten.
PrintCowboy Beans Recipe
Hearty and flavorful Cowboy Beans with ground beef, bacon, baked beans, and a perfectly balanced blend of spices and sauces, baked to bubbly perfection in the oven. A comforting dish ideal for gatherings or a satisfying family dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced (approximately 1 cup)
- 1 green bell pepper, diced (approximately 1 cup)
- 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
Spices and Seasonings
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Other Ingredients
- 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
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F to prepare for baking the beans.
- Cook Ground Beef and Vegetables: In a heavy-bottom, oven-safe pot (such as a Dutch oven) over medium heat, combine ground beef, diced onion, diced green bell pepper, garlic salt, and onion powder. Cook until the ground beef is no longer pink, stirring occasionally to break it apart.
- Drain Excess Liquid: Once the beef mixture is cooked, carefully drain any excess liquid or fat to prevent the dish from becoming greasy.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Stir in the cooked crumbled bacon, brown sugar (if using), both cans of baked beans, barbecue sauce, and dijon mustard. Mix well to evenly combine all ingredients.
- Bake the Beans: Cover the pot with its lid and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 1 hour, allowing the flavors to meld and the beans to thicken and become hot and bubbly.
- Serve Warm: After baking, carefully remove the pot from the oven, give it a good stir, and serve the cowboy beans warm as a hearty side or main dish.
Notes
- Brown sugar is optional and can be omitted if you prefer a less sweet dish.
- Using a heavy bottom oven-safe pot ensures even cooking and prevents burning on the stovetop and in the oven.
- Feel free to customize by adding jalapeños for some heat or additional spices to suit your taste.
- This dish pairs well with cornbread, rice, or on its own as a filling meal.
Keywords: Cowboy Beans, baked beans recipe, ground beef beans, bacon baked beans, camping food, hearty baked beans
