Description

These Meaty Cowboy Beans are hearty, smoky, and full of bold flavor. Perfect for potlucks, cookouts, or a cozy weeknight dinner, this dish combines ground beef, bacon, and beans in a sweet and savory sauce. It’s comfort food with a little Western flair!

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
6 slices bacon, chopped
1 small onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15 oz) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15 oz) can butter beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15 oz) can pork and beans (undrained)
1/2 cup barbecue sauce
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tbsp yellow mustard
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
Salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

In a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove and set aside, leaving the drippings in the pan.
Add the ground beef to the pan and cook until browned. Drain excess grease if needed.
Stir in the diced onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
Add all the beans (including the pork and beans with liquid) to the skillet.
Stir in the barbecue sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and cooked bacon.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Simmer uncovered on low heat for 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and bubbly.

Serve hot with cornbread, over rice, or as a side dish at your next BBQ.

Notes

You can swap in ground turkey or sausage for the beef.
Add a diced jalapeño for extra heat.
These beans also work great in a slow cooker—just brown the meat and dump everything in on low for 4–6 hours

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
Calories: 640
Sugar: 17g
Sodium: 940mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Unsaturated Fat: 9g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Fiber: 9g
Protein: 26g
Cholesterol: 55mg