Description
Cowboy Beans are a hearty, flavorful, and filling dish made with tender beans, savory ground beef, crispy bacon, and a blend of smoky spices. This one-pot wonder is perfect for any occasion, from BBQs to cozy dinners at home. It’s an irresistibly delicious and satisfying meal that’s sure to please a crowd.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- For the Cowboy Beans:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound bacon, chopped
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 bell pepper, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cans (15 oz) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup BBQ sauce
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- For Garnish:
- Fresh chopped parsley (optional)
- Shredded cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Bacon: Cook the chopped bacon in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until crispy. Remove bacon and set aside. Leave the bacon grease in the pan.
- Brown the Ground Beef: Add ground beef to the same skillet and cook until browned, 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Cook for 4-5 minutes until softened.
- Add Beans and Sauce Ingredients: Stir in the beans, tomato sauce, brown sugar, BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, mustard, smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper.
- Simmer the Beans: Reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of water if beans become too thick. Stir in the crispy bacon.
- Serve and Garnish: Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve with fresh parsley and shredded cheese if desired.
Notes
- Make it Spicy: Add chopped jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce for extra heat.
- Use Different Beans: Feel free to substitute with your favorite beans.
- Slow Cooker Version: Brown the bacon and beef, then transfer everything to a slow cooker and cook on low for 4-6 hours.
- Make Ahead: These beans taste even better the next day as the flavors develop.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6th of the recipe
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 40mg