Cowboy Beans Recipe
Cowboy Beans is a hearty and comforting dish featuring seasoned ground beef, smoky bacon, baked beans, and a blend of sweet and tangy flavors from brown sugar, barbecue sauce, and dijon mustard. Baked to perfection in a Dutch oven, this classic dish is perfect as a main course or a savory side.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 to 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced (approximately 1 cup)
- 1 green bell pepper, diced (approximately 1 cup)
- 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
Seasonings
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Other Ingredients
- ¼ cup brown sugar (optional)
- 2 cans (28 ounces each) baked beans (we used Bush’s Original Baked Beans)
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
- 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F to prepare for baking the beans later.
- Cook the Meat and Vegetables: In a heavy bottom, oven-safe pot (such as a Dutch oven), add the ground beef, diced onion, diced green bell pepper, garlic salt, and onion powder. Cook over medium heat until the ground beef is no longer pink, thoroughly combining the flavors.
- Drain Excess Liquid: Once the beef is cooked through, drain off any excess liquid to ensure the beans do not become too watery during baking.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Stir in the cooked and crumbled bacon, optional brown sugar, baked beans, barbecue sauce, and dijon mustard to the beef mixture. Mix well to evenly incorporate all ingredients.
- Bake the Beans: Cover the pot with its lid and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour. This baking step allows the flavors to meld together while thickening the sauce.
- Serve: After baking, the beans should be hot, bubbly, and thickened. Serve warm as a hearty main dish or a delicious side.
Notes
- Brown sugar is optional but adds a nice subtle sweetness balancing the savory and smoky flavors.
- Use a heavy-bottomed, oven-safe pot like a Dutch oven to ensure even cooking and prevent burning.
- Leftovers store well and can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
- For a spicier kick, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or chopped jalapeños during the sautéing step.
Keywords: Cowboy Beans, baked beans, ground beef, bacon, barbecue sauce, hearty bean casserole, comfort food
Find it online: https://nataliereeve.com/cowboy-beans-recipe/
