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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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Find it online: https://flavorsbymaya.com/cowboy-beans-recipe/