Cowboy Beans Recipe

Introduction

Cowboy Beans are a hearty, flavorful dish perfect for gatherings or a cozy meal at home. Combining smoky bacon, spicy jalapeños, and a medley of beans in a tangy BBQ sauce, this recipe brings bold, comforting flavors to your table.

Ingredients

• 4 oz. bacon, chopped into 1/2″ pieces
• 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped jarred roasted red bell peppers
• 1/4 cup chopped pickled jalapeños
• 1 lb. lean ground beef
• 2 tsp. taco seasoning
• Kosher salt, to taste
• 2 (14-oz.) cans pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (14-oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (14-oz.) can small red beans or dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 1/2 cups low-sodium beef broth or water
• 1 cup store-bought or homemade BBQ sauce
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsp. Dijon or spicy brown mustard
• 2 tbsp. molasses
• 1 tbsp. hot sauce

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a cold large Dutch oven or heavy pot, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until crisp, about 9 to 11 minutes. Add the finely chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic, roasted peppers, and jalapeños, cooking until the garlic is fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes.
2. Step 2: Push the onion mixture to one side of the pot. On the other side, add the ground beef and taco seasoning, seasoning with salt to taste. Break up the beef with a wooden spoon and cook, stirring occasionally, until no longer pink, about 5 to 6 minutes. Stir everything together to combine.
3. Step 3: Add the pinto beans, black beans, red beans, beef broth, BBQ sauce, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, mustard, molasses, and hot sauce to the pot. Stir well to combine. Cover and cook for 15 minutes.
4. Step 4: Uncover and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until flavors meld and the sauce thickens, about 15 minutes more. Taste and adjust seasoning with more taco seasoning and salt if needed. Serve warm.

Tips & Variations

• For extra smoky flavor, try adding a splash of liquid smoke or smoked paprika.
• Swap ground beef for ground turkey or a plant-based alternative to lighten the dish.
• Use fresh jalapeños instead of pickled for a brighter, less tangy heat.
• Add a splash of beer or a little brown sugar to deepen the flavor complexity.
• Serve with cornbread or over rice for a complete meal.

Storage

Store leftover cowboy beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove or microwave until warmed through, adding a splash of broth or water if the sauce has thickened too much. This dish also freezes well for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Yes, substitute the bacon and ground beef with plant-based alternatives or extra beans. You can also add vegetables like mushrooms or bell peppers for added texture and flavor.

How spicy is this dish?

The heat level depends on the pickled jalapeños and hot sauce used. Adjust the amount to suit your taste, or omit the jalapeños for a milder version.

Cowboy Beans Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 124 reviews

Cowboy Beans is a hearty, flavorful dish combining crispy bacon, ground beef, a trio of beans, and a tangy barbecue sauce blend. This comforting recipe melds smoky, spicy, and sweet flavors perfect as a side or main dish for any casual meal or cookout.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Vegetables

• 4 oz. bacon, chopped into 1/2” pieces
• 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped jarred roasted red bell peppers
• 1/4 cup chopped pickled jalapeños
• 1 lb. lean ground beef

Seasonings

• 2 tsp. taco seasoning
• Kosher salt, to taste

Beans

• 2 (14-oz.) cans pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (14-oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (14-oz.) can small red beans or dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed

Liquids and Sauces

• 1 1/2 cups low-sodium beef broth or water
• 1 cup store-bought or homemade BBQ sauce
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsp. Dijon or spicy brown mustard
• 2 tbsp. molasses
• 1 tbsp. hot sauce

Instructions

1. Cook the bacon and aromatics: In a cold large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium heat, cook chopped bacon, stirring occasionally, until crisp, about 9 to 11 minutes. Add the finely chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, about 5 minutes. Then add garlic, roasted red peppers, and pickled jalapeños and cook, stirring frequently, until the garlic is fragrant, about 2 to 3 minutes.
2. Brown the ground beef: Push the onion mixture to one side of the pot. On the other side, add ground beef and taco seasoning, seasoning with kosher salt. Break up the beef with a wooden spoon and cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is no longer pink, about 5 to 6 minutes. Then stir the beef and onion mixture together.
3. Add beans and sauce ingredients: Stir in pinto beans, black beans, red kidney beans, beef broth (or water), BBQ sauce, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, mustard, molasses, and hot sauce until fully combined.
4. Simmer the beans: Cover the pot and cook the mixture for 15 minutes to allow flavors to develop.
5. Thicken and finish the dish: Uncover the pot and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the flavors meld and the sauce thickens, about 15 minutes more. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional taco seasoning and salt if desired before serving.

Notes

• Using low-sodium beef broth helps control saltiness and enhances flavor without overpowering the dish.
• For a spicier dish, increase the amount of pickled jalapeños or hot sauce.
• This recipe can be made ahead and tastes even better the next day after the flavors meld fully.
• Use a Dutch oven or heavy pot to ensure even cooking and prevent burning.
• Try serving Cowboy Beans as a side for grilled meats or as a main dish with cornbread or rice.

Keywords: cowboy beans, recipe, ground beef beans, barbecue beans, hearty bean dish, stovetop cowboy beans