Both sweet and savory, these beans are absolutely delish

What are Cowboy Baked Beans?

These beans are hearty and delicious. Cowboy beans are filled with bacon, beans, beef, onions, and a handful of seasonings.

The sauce is a tangy mix of ketchup, bbq sauce, brown sugar, and cider vinegar.

Whether oven-baked or slow-cooked in a crockpot, everyone will be asking for this easy recipe! We love to serve them with tortillas or cornbread.  Easy corn fritters taste great alongside, too! Add a tangy classic macaroni salad and a pitcher of homemade lemonade to finish off a terrific meal.

Ingredients and Variations

BEANS

We use a combination of kidney beans, pinto, and great northern beans. We also add an entire can of pork and beans! Feel free to add black beans, split peas, or even garbanzo beans for a boost of nutrition and texture!

MEAT

For this recipe, we like to use ground beef and bacon, but leftover steak, cubes of ham, or even slices of Polish sausage can be tossed in! It’s thick enough to be a stew!

VARIATIONS

Experiment by adding bell peppers, diced tomatoes, or jalapenos for a real cowboy kick!

 

Cowboy Beans vs. Baked Beans

These beans are different than a traditional baked beans recipe.

  • This recipe has ground beef added for a heartier dish.
  • It has a sauce but they’re much less “saucy” than traditional baked beans.
  • The sauce has a bit more of a BBQ type flavor.

How to Make Cowboy Baked Beans

Cowboy baked beans are a hearty meal but that doesn’t mean they are hard to make! It’s simple!

  • Cook half of the bacon until crisp. Cool and crumble.
  • Cook beef and onion in some bacon grease.
  • Combine everything in a casserole dish and top with uncooked bacon.
  • Bake uncovered according to the recipe below.

For Crock Pots or Slow Cookers

  • Cook bacon in a pan on medium heat.
  • Remove all but 1 Tbsp. of bacon grease. Cook onion and beef until no longer pink.
  • Combine all ingredients into the Crockpot.
  • Cover and cook on high for 2 to 3 hours or on low for 4 to 5 hours. Top with crumbled bacon and serve.

Leftovers

To refrigerate: keep tightly covered in the refrigerator 3-4 days.

To reheat: just give them a stir, pop them in the microwave and adjust the seasonings to your liking.

To freeze: ladle chilled beans into a zippered bag with the date on it. Lay flat in the freezer. When frozen, bags can be stacked vertically to save space. Frozen cowboy baked beans will keep their flavor for at least 3 months.

Perfect Potluck Casseroles

  • Twice Baked Potato Casserole – so creamy & cheesy
  • Funeral Potatoes – 5 star recipe
  • Baked Jalapeño Mac & Cheese – ready in 40 minutes
  • Cheesy Broccoli Casserole – a crowd favorite
  • Sweet Potato Casserole – perfect for the holidays

Did you make these Cowboy Beans? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below! 

Cowboy Beans

Nutrition Information

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

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