Description
Cowboy Beans are the ultimate hearty and flavorful dish. This one-pot recipe combines tender beans, crispy bacon, seasoned ground beef, and a tangy-sweet sauce. Perfect as a side dish, main course, or even a barbecue favorite, these beans will satisfy your cravings for smoky, savory, and sweet all in one bite.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cowboy Beans:
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1½ cups)
- 1 medium green bell pepper, diced (about 1 cup)
- 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 8 ounces sliced bacon, cut into ¼-inch pieces
- 1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 pound lean ground beef (85% lean)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
For the Sauce:
- 1 cup water
- ¼ cup tomato-based barbecue sauce
- ¼ cup packed light or dark brown sugar
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Optional Toppings:
- Sour cream
- Thinly sliced scallions
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven:
Arrange a rack in the middle of your oven and preheat it to 350°F. - Prepare the Ingredients:
Dice the onion and green bell pepper. Finely chop the garlic. Cut the bacon into ¼-inch pieces. Drain and rinse the pinto, kidney, and cannellini beans. - Cook the Bacon:
In a large Dutch oven, cook the bacon over medium heat until browned and crispy, about 7-10 minutes. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and place it on a paper towel-lined plate. Discard all but 1 tablespoon of bacon fat. - Sauté the Vegetables:
Add the diced onion and bell pepper to the pot. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the garlic, chili powder, and cayenne pepper, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. - Brown the Ground Beef:
Add the ground beef to the pot and season with salt and black pepper. Use a wooden spoon to break up the meat as it cooks, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Cook until the beef is browned and cooked through, about 4-5 minutes. - Combine the Ingredients:
Stir in the beans, cooked bacon, water, barbecue sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, and Dijon mustard. Mix everything together until well combined. - Bake the Beans:
Cover the Dutch oven and transfer it to the oven. Bake for 45 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.
Notes
- Make It Spicy: Add extra cayenne pepper or a splash of hot sauce for a bolder flavor.
- Vegetarian Option: Omit the bacon and ground beef, and increase the beans for a protein-packed vegetarian dish.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- Freezer-Friendly: Freeze for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Thicker Sauce: If you prefer a thicker consistency, simmer the beans uncovered on the stovetop after baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour (including oven time)
- Category: Side Dish, Main Dish
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: American