One-Pot Cowboy Beans Recipe

These easy cowboy beans are hearty, smoky, and packed with layers of flavor. With crispy bacon, ground beef, and a bold mix of beans and sauces, it’s the ultimate one-pot comfort food!

 

Easy Cowboy Beans Recipe

• You will not believe how flavorful these cowboy beans are! They’re like baked beans on steroids! Smoky bacon, tangy BBQ sauce, four kinds of beans, and plenty of spices – these are going to become your favorite side dish for every backyard barbecue.
• It’s a one-pot side dish that comes together quickly on the stove and then finishes in the oven. This allows the flavors to really meld and marry to perfection!

Ingredients for Cowboy Beans

• Hickory Smoked Bacon: Adds rich, smoky flavor. Use your favorite brand.
• Ground Beef: Provides heartiness. Stick with 80/20 or 85/15 for the best flavor.
• Chili Powder: Adds a subtle warmth and depth to the beans.
• Yellow Onion: Brings aromatic sweetness to the base. White onion would work also.
• Green Bell Pepper: Adds delicious crunch. Feel free to use red, yellow, or orange bell pepper instead.
• Garlic: Infuses the dish with deep savory flavor. Garlic powder can be used in a pinch.
• Variety of Beans: Pinto beans, light kidney beans, dark kidney beans and baked beans are my favorite combo for these cowboy beans. You can use any combination of beans as long as the quantity is the same.
• Barbecue Sauce: Adds smoky, tangy sweetness. Use your favorite brand.
• Ketchup: Sweetens and thickens the sauce.
• Brown Sugar: Adds a subtle sweetness and a molasses-like richness. I prefer dark brown sugar but light brown sugar would work as well.
• Yellow Mustard: Brings acidity and bite but don’t worry – it won’t taste like mustard!
• Worcestershire Sauce: Adds umami and complexity. Soy sauce can be a backup option.
• Dijon Mustard: Adds depth of flavor.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Balances out the richness of the beans and boosts all the other flavors of the dish. Red wine vinegar can be used instead if needed.

How to Make Cowboy Beans

Cook the bacon. Dice bacon and cook in a Dutch oven or large pot until crispy. Set aside.

Brown the beef. Remove all but 1 tablespoon of the grease, then cook ground beef with salt, pepper, and chili powder. Set aside with bacon.

Sauté the veggies. Add onion and bell pepper, season, and cook until tender. Stir in garlic.

Combine ingredients. Stir in cooked meats, all beans, sauces, and seasonings.

Bake. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Season to taste and serve hot.

Tips for Making Cowboy Beans

• Don’t skip browning the bacon and beef — this builds the base of the flavor.
• The grease from the bacon cooks the ground beef and the grease from the ground beef sautes the veggies. This builds the layers of flavor throughout the dish and you’ll end up with a super flavorful dish.
• Use any combination of beans you like just keep the quantity to about 100 ounces of beans total.
• For extra heat, add a dash of hot sauce, crushed red pepper flakes, or diced jalapeños.
• This recipe makes a HUGE pot of beans. Feel free to halve the recipe if you’re feeding a smaller group.

Make-Ahead Instructions

• You can assemble the entire dish ahead of time and refrigerate it (covered) for up to 24 hours before baking.
• Add 10-15 extra minutes (or more) to the baking time if baking straight from the fridge.

Storing Leftovers

• Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• The flavor deepens over time, making leftovers even better.

Freezing Cowboy Beans

• Let the beans cool completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers.
• Freeze for up to 3 months.
• Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating Cowboy Beans

• Reheat in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through.
• Or microwave in 30-60 second intervals until warm.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper before serving.

Serving Suggestions

• easy cornbread casserole
• air fryer hot dogs
• grilled chicken thighs
• smoked chicken wings
• smoked brats

Try these easy side dishes next!

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