Description
Hearty cowboy beans recipe brings robust Southwestern flavors to your table. Ranch-style beans combine smoky bacon, spicy jalapeños, and rich seasonings for a satisfying side dish you’ll crave at every campfire or family gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 pound thick-cut applewood bacon, chopped
- 1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans, drained
- 1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, drained
- 3 (15-ounce) cans pork and beans (not drained)
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Sauces:
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup barbecue sauce (e.g., Sweet Baby Rays)
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to a moderate 350°F (175°C), preparing for a hearty bean bake.
- In a large Dutch oven, render the chopped bacon until crisp and golden, creating a flavorful base. Extract the bacon pieces, reserving the rendered fat.
- Sauté the diced onions in the remaining bacon drippings until they become translucent and slightly softened.
- Introduce minced garlic and ground beef to the pot, breaking the meat into small crumbles while cooking until completely browned with no pink remaining. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Reintegrate the crispy bacon into the meat mixture, then season with chili powder, salt, and pepper, stirring to distribute the spices evenly.
- Incorporate all beans – pork and beans, cannellini, and kidney – ensuring they are thoroughly mixed with the meat mixture.
- Pour in the complementary sauces: barbecue sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and apple cider vinegar. Sprinkle brown sugar and yellow mustard, stirring until all ingredients are harmoniously combined.
- Transfer the pot to the preheated oven, baking uncovered for 45 minutes to allow the flavors to intensify and the sauce to reduce and thicken.
Notes
- Choose thick-cut bacon for maximum flavor and crispiness, ensuring it renders enough fat for cooking onions and beef.
- Drain excess grease after cooking beef to prevent the dish from becoming too oily and heavy.
- Select a robust barbecue sauce that complements the beans’ richness without overpowering other ingredients.
- For a gluten-free version, use certified gluten-free barbecue sauce and verify all ingredient labels carefully.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 1200 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg