Description
Cowboy Beans are a hearty, smoky, and slightly sweet dish packed with bacon, ground beef, and a variety of beans simmered in a tangy barbecue sauce. Perfect for potlucks, cookouts, or a comforting side dish! This dish is a great addition to your next gathering
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb bacon, chopped
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 (15 oz) can cannellini beans, drained
- 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained
- 1 (15 oz) can pinto beans, drained
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
-
Cook the meat & Onion:
Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, cook the bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside. Leave the bacon grease in the pot and add the onion. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes. -
Brown the Beef:
Stir in garlic and ground beef, breaking it apart as it cooks. Cook until beef is browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess grease.
-
Combine & Bake:
Add the cooked meat back to the pot, followed by chili powder, all the beans, barbecue sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir well and season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer to the oven and bake uncovered for 45 minutes, until the sauce has thickened and caramelized.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for ground beef for a leaner option.
- Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or hot sauce if you prefer a spicier dish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6th of the dish
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 13g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 40mg