Get ready for a hearty and flavor-packed dish that’ll have your taste buds saying “Yeehaw!” Cowboy baked beans are a staple of backyard barbecues and potlucks for a reason. They’re the perfect blend of sweet, savory, and smoky, making them irresistibly delicious. This recipe takes those classic flavors up a notch, creating a rich and satisfying dish that’s sure to become a new favorite.
* Ingredients:
● 1 lb applewood smoked bacon
● 1 large yellow onion, chopped
● 2 cloves garlic, minced
● 1 lb ground beef
● 48 ounces baked beans (don’t drain)
● 32 ounces kidney beans (drain)
● 16 ounces cannellini beans (drain)
● 32 ounces black beans (drain)
● ¼ cup brown sugar
● ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
● 1 cup ketchup
● 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
* Directions:
1️⃣ Decide if you are going to make them in a slow cooker or bake in the oven. Use a deep casserole dish or a large pot like a Dutch oven. A large heavy cast iron pot is ideal for cooking and finishing baking all in one. Slow cookers are excellent for keeping them warm for several hours.
2️⃣ Chop the uncooked bacon into small pieces. Over medium heat, brown the bacon in a heavy cast-iron skillet or a large cast iron Dutch oven on the stovetop, using a wooden spoon. Tip: You can cut the bacon into small pieces with clean kitchen scissors right into the pot—this is faster!
3️⃣ Remove the crispy cooked bacon to a small bowl with a slotted spoon. Don’t remove the bacon drippings from the pan. Add the chopped onion and cook for 5-6 minutes until translucent. Add the minced garlic and stir for one minute.
4️⃣ Next, brown the ground beef for 6-8 minutes. Then, add the bacon back in with the cooked ground beef, onion, and garlic.
5️⃣ Add the baked beans (don’t drain), kidney beans (drain), cannellini beans (drain), and black beans (drain) to the mix.
6️⃣ Incorporate the brown sugar, cider vinegar, ketchup, and yellow mustard. Stir all the ingredients well to combine.
7️⃣ Transfer the mixture to the slow cooker, large Dutch oven, or a large, deep casserole dish. Note that the mixture might not fit in a standard 9 x 13 dish, so a deeper dish is necessary.
8️⃣ Cook in a slow cooker on low for 2 hours OR bake at 350 degrees for 1 ½ hours in a large covered dish. Serve hot.
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Servings: 18
• Calories: 430 kcal
There you have it, folks – the ultimate guide to perfect cowboy baked beans! This versatile dish is great as a side for grilled meats and veggies, or a hearty main course all on its own. If you love the bolder tastes of barbecue, this is the recipe for you. Remember to adjust spice and sweetness levels to suit your crowd. And most importantly, have fun in the kitchen and enjoy the delicious results!