Dinner

Slow-Cooker Cowboy Beans Recipe

ByMaya Arden September 17, 2026September 17, 2026

Introduction

Slow-Cooker Cowboy Beans are a hearty and flavorful dish perfect for gatherings or a comforting weeknight meal. Combining savory ground beef, crispy bacon, and a medley of beans with a tangy barbecue sauce, this recipe is easy to prepare and cooks gently in a slow cooker.

A white, shallow bowl filled with a hearty mix of three types of beans: large creamy white butter beans, small light brown beans, and medium-sized dark red kidney beans, all coated in a glossy, reddish-brown sauce. Interspersed among the beans are small crumbles of browned ground meat, adding texture and depth. A silver spoon rests inside the bowl on the left, partially submerged in the beans. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with a beige cloth napkin peeking out from underneath on the bottom left side. The overall look is warm and comforting, with the beans and meat piled high and glistening. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef
12 ounces bacon, chopped

1 medium yellow onion, diced
1 can kidney beans (15 ounces), drained and rinsed

1 can white beans (15 ounces), drained and rinsed
1 can pork and beans (28 ounces), not drained

2/3 cup ketchup
1/3 cup barbecue sauce
1/2 cup light brown sugar

1 teaspoon liquid smoke

Instructions

Step 1: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the lean ground beef and cook until no longer pink, about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the beef from the skillet and set aside.
Step 2: In the same skillet, fry the chopped bacon until crispy, about 5 to 9 minutes. Add the diced onion and sauté until soft and translucent, approximately 5 to 7 more minutes.

Step 3: Transfer the cooked beef and the bacon-onion mixture to a slow cooker. Stir in the kidney beans, white beans, pork and beans (with liquid), ketchup, barbecue sauce, light brown sugar, and liquid smoke.
Step 4: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for about 2 hours, stirring once during cooking to combine flavors. Serve warm.

Tips & Variations

For a spicier kick, add a chopped jalapeño or a teaspoon of chili powder when sautéing the onion.

Use smoked paprika instead of liquid smoke for a milder smoky flavor.
Swap out the bacon for smoked sausage if you prefer a different smoky meat.
For a thicker consistency, cook uncovered for the last 30 minutes in the slow cooker.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through. Cowboy Beans can also be frozen for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Serve

A close-up view of a black slow cooker filled with a thick mix of cooked beans and ground meat in a reddish-brown sauce. The dish shows different types of beans in colors like white, light brown, and dark red, evenly spread throughout and mixed with small bits of cooked ground meat. A wooden spoon is partly dipped on the right side, stirring the hearty stew. The slow cooker rests on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe without a slow cooker?

Yes, you can simmer the combined ingredients in a large pot over low heat for about 45 minutes to an hour, stirring occasionally until the flavors meld and the beans are heated through.