Cowboy Baked Beans
Hearty and robust, Cowboy Baked Beans—also known as Calico Beans—combine smoky applewood bacon and seasoned ground beef with a rich, tangy-sweet blend of beans and condiments. Ideal for gatherings and potlucks, this dish offers flexibility through oven or slow cooker preparation.
Ingredients
- 1 cup ketchup
- 48 ounces baked beans undrained
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 32 ounces black beans drained
- 32 ounces kidney beans drained
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 16 ounces cannellini beans drained
- 1 large yellow onion chopped
- 1 lb applewood smoked bacon
Instructions
- Choose your cooking method: either a slow cooker or an oven. Opt for a large, deep casserole dish or a heavy cast iron Dutch oven if baking. Slow cookers work well for serving directly and maintaining warmth for extended periods.
- Slice the raw bacon into small bits and render it over medium heat in a cast iron skillet or Dutch oven. Stir frequently with a wooden spoon. For efficiency, cut the bacon directly into the pot using kitchen scissors.
- Once the bacon crisps, extract it using a slotted spoon, placing it in a bowl. Retain the rendered fat in the pan. Add the diced onion and sauté for about 5 to 6 minutes until it softens and becomes translucent. Incorporate the minced garlic, cooking for an additional minute.
- Add the ground beef to the pan and cook thoroughly until browned, approximately 6 to 8 minutes. Return the cooked bacon to the pan with the beef, onion, and garlic.
- Pour in the undrained baked beans, then stir in the drained kidney beans, cannellini beans, and black beans. Mix in the brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, ketchup, and yellow mustard, blending everything together evenly.
- Transfer the mixture into your chosen cooking vessel. A standard 9x13-inch dish is generally insufficient in depth, so use a larger container.
- For slow cooker preparation, set on low and cook for 2 hours. For oven baking, cover and bake at 350°F for 1½ hours. Serve while hot.
Notes
Using 85/15 ground beef strikes a good balance between flavor and fat. Leaner options are suitable if preferred.
Applewood smoked bacon enhances the depth of flavor; increasing the quantity or incorporating a dash of liquid smoke may amplify the smokiness.
Apple cider vinegar offsets the sweetness introduced by brown sugar and the beans’ sauce. For a less sweet dish, reduce the brown sugar.
Substituting other beans like butter (lima), pork and beans, navy, or pinto is effective. This recipe favors canned beans for convenience and texture consistency. Serving Idea
Distribute individual portions in disposable paper bowls or cups with spoons for easy handling at events. Leftovers
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To reheat, place in a covered casserole dish and bake at 375°F for 20 minutes.
Applewood smoked bacon enhances the depth of flavor; increasing the quantity or incorporating a dash of liquid smoke may amplify the smokiness.
Apple cider vinegar offsets the sweetness introduced by brown sugar and the beans’ sauce. For a less sweet dish, reduce the brown sugar.
Substituting other beans like butter (lima), pork and beans, navy, or pinto is effective. This recipe favors canned beans for convenience and texture consistency. Serving Idea
Distribute individual portions in disposable paper bowls or cups with spoons for easy handling at events. Leftovers
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To reheat, place in a covered casserole dish and bake at 375°F for 20 minutes.