Description

This hearty Cowboy Beans recipe is a delicious combination of ground beef, bacon, baked beans, and flavorful spices, slow baked to perfection. Perfect as a side dish or a main course at gatherings or family dinners, the beans are rich, savory, and slightly sweet with a smoky depth from the bacon and barbecue sauce. With easy steps and classic ingredients, this dish brings comforting flavors to your table in about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Meat and Vegetables

1 pound ground beef
1 medium yellow onion, diced (approximately 1 cup)
1 green bell pepper, diced (approximately 1 cup)
8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

Seasonings and Sauces

½ teaspoon garlic salt
½ teaspoon onion powder
¼ cup brown sugar (optional)
2 cans (28 ounces each) baked beans (such as Bush’s Original Baked Beans)
½ cup barbecue sauce
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

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Instructions

Preheat Oven and Brown Meat: Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a 4-quart oven-safe pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, add the ground beef along with the diced onion and green bell pepper. Season with garlic salt and onion powder. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned and the vegetables are softened. Once cooked, drain any excess grease to keep the dish from becoming too oily.
Combine Ingredients: To the browned beef mixture, add in the crumbled cooked bacon and brown sugar if you prefer a touch of sweetness. Pour in both cans of baked beans, barbecue sauce, and Dijon mustard. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are well mixed and evenly combined.
Bake: Cover the pot with a fitting lid or aluminum foil and place it in the preheated oven. Bake the beans for 1 hour, allowing the flavors to meld together and the mixture to thicken, becoming bubbly and rich in texture.
Serve: After baking, remove the pot from the oven and serve the Cowboy Beans warm, perfect as a satisfying side dish or a hearty meal on its own.

Notes

The brown sugar is optional but adds a nice balance to the smoky and savory flavors.
You can substitute ground turkey for a leaner version.
Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely.
Use a heavy oven-safe pot like a Dutch oven to ensure even cooking and easy transfer to the oven.
For extra smoky flavor, try smoked paprika or chipotle powder in place of or in addition to the garlic salt and onion powder.