Cowboy Beans
There’s something about a big pot of Cowboy Beans that just feels like home. It’s hearty, flavorful, and full of that comforting, stick-to-your-ribs goodness that makes everyone come back for seconds.
I actually got this recipe from my neighbor a few years ago, and it’s become one of my go-to dishes for parties, potlucks, and even holidays.
She brought a crockpot full of these beans to a neighborhood get-together, and I swear everyone was crowded around her dish asking for the recipe before the night was over.
The smoky bacon, ground beef, and tender beans come together in the most delicious sauce — a little sweet, a little tangy, and just the right amount of savory.
What I love most about this recipe is how filling it is. It’s the kind of comfort food that can stand on its own as a main dish or pair perfectly with cornbread, burgers, or barbecue.
When the weather turns chilly or you’re feeding a crowd, this one always hits the spot.
It’s also incredibly easy to make ahead — which is why I love serving it during the holidays.
You can simmer it on the stove or let it cook low and slow in a crockpot while you focus on everything else.
And trust me, the leftovers taste even better the next day!
Why You’ll Love This Cowboy Beans Recipe
- Hearty & Filling: Loaded with ground beef, bacon, and beans, this dish is a meal all on its own.
- Crowd Favorite: Perfect for holidays, cookouts, or game days — everyone always wants seconds.
- Easy to Make: Just toss everything in a Dutch oven or slow cooker and let it work its magic.
- Sweet, Smoky & Savory: Barbecue-style flavor with a little tang and just enough sweetness.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: The flavor gets even better the next day!
What are Cowboy Beans?
Cowboy beans are a hearty baked bean dish made with ground beef, bacon, and a mix of beans in a sweet and smoky sauce.
Think of it as baked beans meets chili — rich, thick, and full of flavor.
The name comes from its rustic, filling nature, and it’s been a potluck and backyard barbecue favorite for generations.
Ingredients
- Ground Beef
- Bacon, cooked and crumbled
- Onion, diced
- Bush’s Grillin Beans
- Bush’s Maple & Cured Bacon Baked Beans
- Black Beans, drained and rinsed
- Butter Beans, drained
- Mild Chili Beans, drained
- Vinegar
- Mustard
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Brown Sugar
- Ketchup
How to make Cowboy Beans
In a large Dutch oven over medium heat, brown the ground beef until no longer pink.
Drain any excess grease.
Add in all the ingredients into the Dutch oven and stir to combine.
Bake at 350 F for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
Or you can use a crockpot, cooking for 4 hours on low.
Serve hot and enjoy!
Tools For This Recipe
(Amazon affiliate links)- These are the tools I use when making this recipe!
- GreenPan Frying Pan–GreenPan has the best frying pans, healthy nonstick and oven safe.
- Le Creuset Cast Iron Dutch Oven –Enameled cast iron delivers superior heat distribution and retention, plus it’s easy to clean.
- Silicone Mixing Spoon–The perfect spoons to keep your nonstick pans scratch free.
More Delicious Recipes to Try
Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies
Cowboy Beans
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound bacon cooked and crumbled
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 can Bush’s Grillin Beans
- 1 can Bush’s Maple & Cured Bacon baked beans
- 1 can black beans drained and rinsed
- 1 can butter beans drained
- 1 can mild chili bean drained
- 4 tablespoons vinegar
- 2 tablespoons mustard
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup ketchup
Instructions
- In a large Dutch oven over medium heat, brown the ground beef until no longer pink.
- Drain any excess grease.
- Add in all the ingredients into the Dutch oven and stir to combine.
- Bake at 350° F for 1½ to 2 hours. Or you can use a crockpot, cooking for 4 hours on low.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
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