“Yeehaw! Saddle up for a mouthwatering adventure with our Cowboy Baked Beans. Packed with smoky flavors and tender beans, this hearty dish is sure to satisfy your cravings for a taste of the Wild West. Get ready to lasso in some deliciousness!”
Cowboy Baked Beans
This Southwestern-inspired cowboy baked beans recipe is a must-try at your next BBQ! Made from a variety of beans and baked in a tangy BBQ sauce, these beans are packed full of protein with ground beef and crispy bacon. They can be served as a hearty side dish or as a main dish at family gatherings. This recipe is easy to prepare and is a family favorite.
The key to these delicious cowboy baked beans is the combination of different flavors. You can use any type of bean that you prefer, such as butter beans, navy beans, black beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, or red beans. Along with the beans, you will need ground beef, bacon, onion, garlic, and a tangy barbecue sauce.
To make these cowboy baked beans, preheat the oven to 350°F and spray a baking dish with non-stick spray. Cook half of the bacon until crispy and set aside. Cook the ground beef in the same skillet until no longer pink, then add onion and garlic. Stir in the cooked bacon and combine with drained canned beans and other ingredients. Spread the mixture into the baking dish and top with remaining uncooked bacon. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes until heated through.
These hearty baked beans can be served on their own as an entree or paired with rice or scrambled eggs. They are perfect for barbeques or summertime hangouts. For a healthier version, you can substitute ground turkey and turkey bacon. The recipe is versatile and allows for substitutions or omissions based on personal preferences.
Why this recipe works
This cowboy baked beans recipe is a must-try because it combines the flavors of Southwestern cuisine with the comfort of a hearty, protein-packed dish. The combination of different types of beans, ground beef, and crispy bacon creates a delicious and satisfying meal that is perfect for BBQs or family gatherings.
The versatility of this recipe is another reason why it works so well. You can easily customize it to your own preferences by using different types of beans or even substituting the bacon with turkey bacon or crumbled sausage. The tangy BBQ sauce adds a flavorful kick to the dish, and using a high-quality sauce like Kansas City-style BBQ Sauce makes a noticeable difference in taste.
Not only is this recipe delicious, but it is also simple to make. With just a few easy steps, you can have these savory baked beans ready to serve. Whether you enjoy them as a side dish or as the main course, they are sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Varieties of beans for cowboy baked beans
This Southwestern-inspired cowboy baked beans recipe calls for a variety of beans to create a delicious and satisfying dish. You can mix and match these ingredients based on your preference, but here are some recommended types of beans to try:
- Butter beans – also known as lima beans, these white or pale green beans have a velvety texture and a rich, buttery flavor.
- Navy beans – with a mild flavor and slightly nutty taste, navy beans are a great addition to cowboy baked beans.
- Black beans – these robust and hearty beans add depth of flavor and texture to the dish.
- Kidney beans – sweeter in taste, kidney beans have a unique shape and color that resembles a human kidney.
- Pinto beans – known for their creamy texture, pinto beans have an earthy, nutty flavor.
- Red beans – lighter in color than red kidney beans, red beans have a slightly sweet flavor that complements the other ingredients in the recipe.
Making this cowboy baked bean recipe is simple and requires just a few easy steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and spray a 13×9 baking dish or large Dutch oven with non-stick spray.
- In a large skillet or stockpot over medium-high heat, cook half of the bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon, crumble it, and set it aside. Drain the fat from the skillet.
- Add ground beef to the skillet and cook until no longer pink. Push the ground beef to the edges of the skillet and add onion. Cook until transparent. Stir in garlic and cooked bacon.
- Open cans of beans, drain them of all liquid, and add them to the skillet along with the remaining ingredients. Stir to combine.
- Spread the mixture into the prepared baking dish and top with the remaining uncooked bacon.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes at 350°F until the beans are heated through and the bacon is crispy.
Cowboy baked beans can be enjoyed on their own as a hearty main dish or served as a side dish. Here are some serving suggestions:
- Pair these savory baked beans with rice or scrambled eggs for a complete meal.
- Serve them alongside smoked beef back ribs for a delicious barbecue feast.
- Try them with guacamole salsa for a flavorful combination of textures and flavors.
This recipe allows room for customization based on personal preferences. Here are some tips:
- If you prefer a healthier version, substitute ground turkey and turkey bacon instead of traditional ground beef and bacon.
- Add cheddar or pepper jack cheese on top of the baked beans to enhance their flavor.
- Dollop sour cream on the beans to add creaminess to each bite.
- For a more rustic vibe, use a large cast iron skillet instead of a baking dish when cooking in the oven.
Remember that this recipe is versatile, so feel free to experiment with different ingredients and flavors to make it your own.
Remaining ingredients
In addition to the beans and ground beef, you will need the following ingredients for this cowboy baked beans recipe:
- Bacon – half of which is cooked and crumbled, while the other half is left uncooked to top the beans before baking.
- Onion – adds flavor and texture to the dish.
- Garlic – enhances the savory taste of the beans.
- Tangy barbecue sauce – gives the beans a delicious tangy flavor.
To make these cowboy baked beans, follow these simple steps:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and spray a 13 x 9 baking dish with non-stick spray.
- Cook half of the bacon in a large skillet until crispy. Remove it, crumble it, and set it aside.
- Add ground beef to the skillet and cook until no longer pink. Push it to the edges of the skillet and add onion. Cook until transparent.
- Mix in garlic and cooked bacon. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Drain cans of beans and add them to the skillet along with tangy barbecue sauce. Stir everything together until well combined.
- Spread the mixture into your prepared baking dish and top with remaining uncooked bacon.
- Bake for 50 to 60 minutes at 350°F until heated through and bacon on top is crispy.
Once baked, these hearty cowboy baked beans can be served as a main dish or as a side dish alongside grilled meats or other BBQ favorites. They also pair well with rice or scrambled eggs if desired. Feel free to customize this recipe by using different types of beans or substituting the bacon for alternative options like turkey bacon or crumbled sausage. No matter how you make them, these savory baked beans are sure to be a hit at your next gathering!
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and spray a 13 x 9 baking dish with non-stick spray.
2. Heat a large, deep skillet or stockpot over medium-high heat. Set aside half of the bacon for later and add the other half to the hot skillet. Cook until crispy, then remove, crumble, and set aside.
3. Drain the fat from the skillet and add the ground beef. Cook for 2-3 minutes, breaking it up as you go, until it is no longer pink.
4. Push the ground beef to the edges of the skillet and add the onion. Cook until transparent, then stir in the garlic and cooked bacon.
5. Open cans of beans and drain them of all liquid. Add them to the skillet along with the remaining ingredients and stir to combine.
6. Spread mixture into the prepared baking dish and top with remaining uncooked bacon.
7. Bake for 50-60 minutes at 350°F.
8. Serve as a hearty side dish or main dish at your next BBQ or family gathering.
Step 1: prepare
To start, preheat your oven to 350°F and spray a 13 x 9 baking dish with non-stick spray. In a large, deep skillet or stockpot, cook half of the bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon, crumble it, and set it aside. Drain the fat from the skillet.
Add ground beef to the skillet and cook until it is no longer pink, breaking it up as you go. Push the ground beef to the edges of the skillet and add the onion. Cook until transparent. Stir in garlic and the cooked bacon.
If you prefer a healthier version, you can substitute ground turkey and turkey bacon for the beef and regular bacon.
Step 2: cook bacon
Step 2: Cook bacon
In a large, deep skillet or stockpot, cook half of the bacon over medium-high heat until crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet and crumble it into small pieces. Set aside for later use. Drain the fat from the skillet.
Step 3: Brown ground beef and onions
Add the ground beef to the skillet with the remaining bacon fat and cook, breaking it up into small pieces, until it is no longer pink. Push the ground beef to the edges of the skillet and add the onion. Cook until the onion is transparent.
Step 4: Add garlic and cooked bacon
Stir in the minced garlic and the crumbled cooked bacon into the skillet with the ground beef and onions. Mix well to combine all the flavors.
Step 5: Prepare beans and other ingredients
Open cans of beans and drain them of all liquid. Add drained beans along with other ingredients to a mixing bowl – this includes barbecue sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder, molasses or maple syrup (optional), and vinegar.
Step 6: Combine all ingredients
Carefully stir all of these ingredients together until they are well combined. Make sure that each bean is coated with sauce and seasoning.
Step 7: Transfer mixture to baking dish
Spread out this mixture evenly into a greased 13×9 inch baking dish or a large Dutch oven. This will ensure even cooking throughout.
Step 8: Top with remaining uncooked bacon
Place remaining uncooked bacon on top of your bean mixture in an even layer. This will provide additional flavor as it bakes in the oven.
Step 9: Bake at 350°F for 50-60 minutes
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place your baking dish with bean mixture in preheated oven and bake for approximately 50 to 60 minutes. The beans should be heated through and the bacon on top should be crispy.
Step 10: Serve and enjoy
Once baked, remove your cowboy baked beans from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving. These hearty beans can be served as a main dish or as a side dish alongside other BBQ favorites like ribs or grilled chicken. Enjoy!
Step 3: brown ground beef
Step 3: Brown Ground Beef
In a large, deep skillet or stockpot, heat it over medium-high heat. Set aside half of the bacon for later use. Add the other half of the bacon to the hot skillet and cook until crispy. Once cooked, remove the bacon from the skillet, crumble it, and set it aside.
Next, drain the fat from the skillet and add the ground beef. Break up the ground beef as you cook it, ensuring that it is evenly browned. Cook for about 2 to 3 minutes until there is no longer any pink in the meat.
Push the ground beef to the edges of the skillet and add in the onion. Cook until the onion becomes transparent. Then, stir in the garlic and add in the previously cooked bacon.
If you prefer a healthier version of this recipe, you can substitute ground turkey and turkey bacon instead of using traditional ground beef.
This step adds flavor and texture to your cowboy baked beans, creating a delicious combination with all of its ingredients.
Step 4: add the onion and garlic
Step 4: Add the onion and garlic
Once the ground beef is cooked and no longer pink, push it to the edges of the skillet and add the chopped onion. Cook the onion until it becomes transparent, which usually takes a few minutes. Then, stir in the minced garlic and the crumbled bacon that was set aside earlier. The combination of onion, garlic, and bacon adds a savory depth of flavor to the cowboy baked beans.
Step 5: Open and drain the cans of beans
Next, it’s time to add in the star ingredient – beans! Open each can of beans and drain them thoroughly. This step is important because we want to remove any excess liquid from the canned beans before adding them to our dish. Draining the beans ensures that we have a thick and hearty final result for our cowboy baked beans.
Step 6: Combine all ingredients
Now that all of our main components are prepared, it’s time to bring everything together. Add in the drained beans along with all of your other ingredients – ground beef mixture, barbecue sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together until well combined.
Step 7: Transfer mixture to baking dish
Once all of your ingredients are mixed together nicely, transfer the bean mixture into a greased 13×9 inch baking dish. Spread it out evenly so that every bite is full of delicious flavors.
Step 8: Top with remaining uncooked bacon and bake
To add an extra layer of flavor and texture to your cowboy baked beans, top them off with the remaining uncooked bacon slices. This will give you some crispy bits on top once they are baked in the oven. Place your baking dish in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 50-60 minutes or until bubbly and heated through.
By following these simple steps, you will have a mouthwatering dish of cowboy baked beans that are sure to impress your guests at your next BBQ. The combination of different beans, ground beef, bacon, and tangy BBQ sauce create a hearty and flavorful side dish or main course option. Enjoy!
Step 5: combine the rest of the ingredients
Step 5: Combine the rest of the ingredients
After cooking the ground beef, onion, and garlic mixture, it’s time to add the remaining ingredients to complete this delicious cowboy baked beans recipe. Open the cans of beans and drain them of all the liquid. This will prevent your dish from becoming too watery.
Next, add the drained beans to the skillet along with the other ingredients. Stir everything together until well combined. The combination of different types of beans creates a wonderful texture and flavor in this dish.
Spread the mixture into a 13×9 inch baking dish, making sure it is evenly distributed. This will ensure that each bite is packed with all the delicious flavors from the beans, ground beef, bacon, and BBQ sauce.
To add an extra layer of flavor and texture, top the mixture with the remaining uncooked bacon. This will give your cowboy baked beans a crispy and savory topping that everyone will love.
Now you’re ready to bake! Place the baking dish in a preheated oven at 350°F and let it cook for about 50 to 60 minutes. The heat will help all the flavors meld together and create a mouthwatering dish that is perfect for any BBQ or family gathering.
Once cooked, remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. These hearty baked beans can be enjoyed on their own as an entree or served as a side dish alongside grilled meats or even scrambled eggs for breakfast.
The combination of protein-packed ground beef, various types of beans, tangy BBQ sauce, and crispy bacon makes these cowboy baked beans a crowd-pleasing favorite. They are easy to prepare and can be customized to your taste preferences by adding different types of beans or substituting ingredients like turkey bacon for a healthier option.
So why not give this original recipe a try? It’s worth a trip to the grocery store if you don’t already have these pantry staples on hand. Serve these savory baked beans at your next BBQ or family gathering and watch them disappear in no time!
Step 6: cook the cowboy baked beans
After preparing the ground beef, onion, garlic, and bacon mixture, it’s time to cook the cowboy baked beans. Start by opening and draining the cans of beans to remove any excess liquid. Then, add the drained beans and all the remaining ingredients to the skillet.
Stir everything together until well combined. The combination of different beans, ground beef, bacon, onion, garlic, and BBQ sauce creates a flavorful and protein-packed dish.
Once everything is mixed together, transfer the bean mixture to a 13×9 inch baking dish or a large Dutch oven. Make sure to spread it out evenly for even cooking.
To add an extra layer of flavor and texture, top the bean mixture with the remaining uncooked bacon. This will become crispy as it bakes in the oven.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) before placing the baking dish in it. Bake the cowboy baked beans for about 50 to 60 minutes until they are hot and bubbly.
Once cooked, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving. These hearty baked beans can be enjoyed as a main dish or as a side dish alongside other BBQ favorites like smoked ribs or grilled chicken.
The combination of different flavors from the various types of beans, ground beef, bacon, and tangy BBQ sauce makes these cowboy baked beans a crowd-pleaser at any gathering or barbecue.
Tips for success
1. Drain the canned beans before using them in the recipe. This will help prevent the baked beans from becoming too watery.
2. Use a high-quality BBQ sauce for maximum flavor. A tangy Kansas City-style BBQ sauce works great in this recipe.
3. For a healthier version, substitute ground turkey and turkey bacon instead of beef and regular bacon.
4. Feel free to mix and match different types of beans to suit your preference. Butter beans, navy beans, black beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, or red beans all work well in this recipe.
5. Top the baked beans with cheddar or pepper jack cheese for added saltiness and flavor.
6. Add a dollop of sour cream on top of the baked beans for a creamy twist.
7. If you prefer a more rustic presentation, bake the cowboy baked beans in a large cast iron skillet instead of a baking dish.
8. You can also make these cowboy baked beans in a slow cooker or crock pot for an easy and convenient meal option.
In conclusion, cowboy baked beans are a delicious and hearty dish that combines the flavors of tender beans, smoky bacon, and tangy barbecue sauce. With their rich taste and easy preparation, these beans make a perfect side dish or main course for any meal. So go ahead and try this classic recipe to enjoy a taste of the Wild West!
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