If you’re in the mood for a hearty, flavorful dish that’s packed with protein and perfect for any occasion, then Cowboy Beans should be at the top of your list! This dish is a true crowd-pleaser, combining tender beans, savory ground beef, smoky bacon, and a rich blend of spices. It’s everything you want in a comforting meal: filling, flavorful, and oh-so-satisfying. Plus, it’s the perfect side dish for BBQs, cookouts, or a cozy dinner at home.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
Cowboy Beans are a hearty, flavorful, and filling dish that will quickly become a staple in your kitchen. They’re great for feeding a crowd and can be served as a side or a main dish. The combination of tender beans with crispy bacon and seasoned ground beef is absolutely irresistible. The addition of spices like smoked paprika, brown sugar, and chili powder gives these beans a smoky-sweet flavor that perfectly balances the savory elements. Best of all, it’s a one-pot wonder, so clean-up is a breeze!
Ingredients
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)
You can find the full list of ingredients below.
Directions
1. Cook the Bacon
Start by cooking the chopped bacon in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Cook it for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes crispy. Once done, use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the bacon grease in the pan.
2. Brown the Ground Beef
In the same skillet, add the ground beef and cook it over medium-high heat, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook for 6-8 minutes, or until the beef is browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
3. Sauté the Vegetables
Add the chopped onion, bell pepper, and garlic to the skillet with the beef. Cook for about 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften and become fragrant.
4. Add the Beans and Sauce Ingredients
Once the vegetables are cooked, stir in the beans (pinto, kidney, and black beans) along with the tomato sauce, brown sugar, BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, chili powder, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything together until well combined.
5. Simmer the Beans
Reduce the heat to low and let the beans simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the flavors meld together and the sauce thickens. If the beans get too thick, you can add a splash of water to loosen them up. Stir in the crispy bacon towards the end of cooking.
6. Serve and Garnish
Once the beans are ready, taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Serve the Cowboy Beans hot, garnished with fresh parsley and a sprinkle of shredded cheese if desired. These beans are perfect served with cornbread or over a bed of rice for a complete meal.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Make it Spicy: If you like a bit of heat, add some chopped jalapeños or a few dashes of hot sauce to the beans. You can also increase the chili powder or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Use Different Beans: While this recipe calls for pinto, kidney, and black beans, feel free to mix and match with your favorites. Great northern beans, navy beans, or even chickpeas would work well.
- Slow Cooker Version: For a hands-off approach, you can make these Cowboy Beans in the slow cooker. After cooking the bacon and browning the beef, transfer everything to the slow cooker and cook on low for 4-6 hours. The flavors will develop beautifully over time!
- Make Ahead: Cowboy Beans actually taste better the next day as the flavors continue to develop. Make a big batch and store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. They reheat beautifully.
Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions
- Vegetarian Version: For a vegetarian version, simply omit the bacon and ground beef and use a mix of your favorite beans. You can sauté the vegetables in olive oil for richness and add smoked paprika to get that smoky flavor.
- Smoky Flavor: If you want even more smokiness, add some smoked sausage or kielbasa along with the bacon for an extra flavor punch.
- BBQ Sauce Substitutes: If you don’t have BBQ sauce on hand, you can use ketchup mixed with a bit of Worcestershire sauce and a pinch of liquid smoke to replicate the flavor.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Cowboy Beans are incredibly versatile and pair wonderfully with a variety of dishes. They make a perfect side dish for grilled meats, like steak, chicken, or BBQ ribs. You can also serve them over rice or alongside cornbread for a hearty meal. For a fun twist, serve the beans as a topping for baked potatoes or as part of a taco bar.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Cowboy Beans store really well and are great for meal prep. Once the beans have cooled, transfer them to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the beans for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply heat them in a pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of water or broth if needed to loosen up the sauce.
4 FAQs
1. Can I make these Cowboy Beans without bacon?
Yes! You can omit the bacon for a leaner version, or use turkey bacon, smoked sausage, or even a plant-based bacon alternative for a similar smoky flavor.
2. Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Definitely! Cowboy Beans actually taste better the next day as the flavors develop. You can prepare them in advance and store them in the fridge for 2-3 days.
3. Can I use dried beans instead of canned?
Yes! If you want to use dried beans, you’ll need to soak them overnight and cook them until tender before adding them to the recipe. Make sure to adjust the cooking time as needed.
4. How can I make these beans spicier?
To add some heat, simply increase the chili powder, add a bit of cayenne pepper, or toss in some diced jalapeños or hot sauce to taste.
Conclusion
Cowboy Beans are the ultimate comfort food—rich, flavorful, and perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re serving them as a side dish, topping them on rice, or just enjoying a big bowl on their own, these beans are sure to be a hit. The combination of smoky bacon, savory ground beef, and tender beans in a tangy-sweet sauce is simply irresistible. Make a batch today and enjoy the hearty goodness of Cowboy Beans!
Print
Cowboy Beans
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish, Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, BBQ
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
- 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