Go Back
–+ servings
Overhead view of a bowl filled with hearty cowboy beans made with mixed beans, ground beef, and bacon, garnished with chopped green onions and served with a gold spoon.
Print Recipe
No ratings yet

Cowboy Beans

Cowboy beans are the kind of hearty side dish I’m looking for during backyard barbecues or for a weeknight comfort meal. This version has smoky bacon, savory ground beef, and tender beans simmered in a sweet-and-tangy sauce that’s loaded with flavor.
Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 15 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6 servings
Author: Krista Teigen

Ingredients

  • ½ lb bacon chopped. Turkey bacon can be used as a lighter option
  • ½ onion chopped
  • 1 lb. ground beef I used lean ground beef to reduce the grease. You can also use ground turkey, chicken, or pork
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • 15 oz. pinto beans 1 can, drained
  • 15 oz. kidney beans 1 can, drained
  • 15 oz. cannellini beans 1 can, drained
  • ½ cup BBQ sauce use your favorite
  • ¼ cup ketchup
  • 2 tbsp mustard
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar honey or maple syrup works as a natural sweetener
  • 1½ tbsp apple cider vinegar

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • Add the chopped bacon to an oven safe Dutch oven over medium heat, and cook until crispy. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towel. Pour out most of the grease from the pot.
  • Add in the onion, ground beef, garlic, chili powder, salt, garlic powder, and onion powder. Cook until the beef is browned and the onion is soft.
  • Stir in the pinto beans, kidney beans, and baked beans. Then, add in the BBQ sauce, ketchup, mustard, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and bacon bits, and give everything a good stir.
  • Cover the pot. Then, transfer to the oven and bake for 40 minutes.

Notes

  • Slow cooker option: Brown the bacon, beef, and onions first, then transfer everything to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 4–5 hours or high for 2–3 hours.
  • Best beans to use: Pinto and baked beans are classic, but kidney, navy, or black beans work just as well. Mix a few varieties for extra texture.
  • Vegetarian version: Skip the bacon and beef, and add extra beans or sautéed mushrooms for a hearty, meaty texture without the meat.
 

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 495kcal | Carbohydrates: 58g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 51mg | Sodium: 1733mg | Potassium: 844mg | Fiber: 14g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 207IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 129mg | Iron: 6mg