This Cowboy Beans recipe is a southern favorite and is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal. And if you’re looking for something to take to your next potluck or BBQ, this calico beans recipe is sure to be a hit!
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❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
- It's easy to make – just dump everything in the slow cooker or bake in the oven.
- There's minimal cleanup required. no matter which makes you make these delicious beans.
- These Cowboy Beans are hearty and filling, perfect for satisfying your hunger.
Ingredients
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- ground beef 80/20 works well
- onion, peeled and diced
- pork & beans
- kidney beans, drained
- large butter beans, drained
- ketchup
- brown sugar
- Worcestershire Sauce
- apple cider vinegar
- water
- salt and pepper, to taste
Equipment
Instructions
This is an overview of the recipe. The full instructions are below in the recipe card.
Slow Cooker Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat add ground beef and saute until brown, no pink at all in the meat. Drain and discard excess grease.
- To your slow cooker add the ground beef, diced onion, pork and beans, drained kidney and butter beans, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, and water. Add salt and pepper, to taste
- Stir to combine. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours, stirring once. Serve!
Baked Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- In a Dutch Oven or an oven safe pot, over medium heat add ground beef and onions, saute until the beef is brown and onions are soft, about 6 minutes.
- Add in the pork and beans, drained kidney and butter beans, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, and water. Add salt and pepper, to taste.
- Stir to combine. Cover with lid and place in the preheated oven, center rack is best. Bake for 45- 60 minutes. The liquid will be bubbly and everything cooked through.
- Serve and enjoy!
Storage
These crockpot cowboy beans can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days. They can also be frozen for up to 2 months.
Expert Tips
Expert Tip: If you want to make these cowboy beans even heartier, feel free to add in a cup of cooked rice or quinoa.
Frequently Asked Questions
These baked cowboy beans are made of ground beef, onion, pork and beans, drained kidney and butter beans, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, and water.
No one is really sure how these beans got their name, but many people believe it has something to do with the fact that they were served to cowboy boys out of chuck wagons because they are hearty and filling.
Yes! These slow cooker cowboy beans are packed with fiber and protein, making them a healthy and satisfying meal option.
This calico beans recipe is a southern favorite and is thought to have originated in the state of Texas.
Variations
- Add some heat to this recipe, by adding sliced peppers or jalapenos.
- You can also add ham or bacon to up the protein in this recipe.
- Chili powder can give a delicious hint of spice to these beans.
- You can switch out the kidney beans and butter beans for your favorite beans, C, black beans, or pinto beans.
- Out of BBQ sauce? You can use ketchup instead.
- You can use breakfast sausage or smoked sausage instead of beef.
Serving Suggestions
- Are you in the mood for some creamy, cheesy goodness? Well, look no further than this Cajun Mac and Cheese.
- Cheeseburger Sliders are simple to make, and pair well with this hearty cowboy beans recipe.
- Green Beans with Mushrooms and Shallots is a healthy side dish that pairs well with this bean recipe.
Similar recipes
- Instant Pot Turkey Chili is the perfect weeknight meal. It's quick to make and full of delicious flavor.
- If you are looking for an easy side for BBQ night, then look no further than this Slow Cooker Baked Beans recipe.
- Beef casseroles are a favorite and you will love this Frito Pie recipe, full of flavor and pure comfort food.
- If you love Easy Weeknight Meals that are full of flavor then give this Instant Pot Gumbo recipe a try soon.
- Tuscan Bean Salad is a delicious cold bean salad that is a great make-ahead salad for all to enjoy!
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If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Baked or Crockpot Cowboy Beans Recipe
Equipment Needed:
- As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef 80/20 works well
- 1 small onion, peeled and diced
- 1 (15.5) ounce can pork & beans
- 1 (15.5) ounce kidney beans, drained
- 1 (15.5) ounce can large butter beans, drained
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup water
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
Slow Cooker Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat add ground beef and saute until brown, no pink at all in the meat. Drain and discard excess grease.
- To your slow cooker add the ground beef, diced onion, pork and beans, drained kidney and butter beans, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, and water. Add salt and pepper, to taste
- Stir to combine. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours, stirring once. Serve!
Baked Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a Dutch Oven or an oven safe pot, over medium heat add ground beef and onions, saute until the beef is brown and onions are soft, about 6 minutes.
- Add in the pork and beans, drained kidney and butter beans, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, and water. Add salt and pepper, to taste.
- Stir to combine. Cover with lid and place in the preheated oven, center rack is best. Bake for 45- 60 minutes. The liquid will be bubbly and everything cooked through.
- Serve and enjoy!
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