Cowboy Baked Beans are a hearty and flavorful dish that brings the taste of the wild west right into your kitchen. This recipe combines savory ground beef and a mix of beans, all baked together in a sweet and tangy sauce. Perfect for a family dinner or a backyard barbecue, these baked beans are sure to please a crowd.
Why Make This Recipe
This recipe is not only delicious but also easy to prepare. With a prep time of just 15 minutes and a cook time of 50 minutes, you can have a filling meal without spending all day in the kitchen. Cowboy Baked Beans are great for gatherings, as they can be made ahead of time and served warm or at room temperature. Plus, the combination of flavors is simply irresistible!
How to Make Cowboy Baked Beans
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 28-ounce cans baked beans
- 1 15-ounce can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 15-ounce can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 3/4 cup barbecue sauce
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/3 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef and diced onion until the beef is cooked through and the onion is tender.
- Drain the excess grease, then stir in the garlic powder and black pepper.
- In a large bowl, combine the baked beans, drained kidney beans, and drained pinto beans.
- Add the beef mixture, barbecue sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce to the bowl. Stir gently until everything is mixed well.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.
- Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 40-50 minutes, until the beans are bubbling and thickened around the edges.
- Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.
How to Serve Cowboy Baked Beans
Serve Cowboy Baked Beans warm. They are delicious on their own or can be paired with grilled meats, cornbread, or coleslaw. You can also garnish with chopped green onions or a sprinkle of cheese for an extra touch.
How to Store Cowboy Baked Beans
Store any leftover Cowboy Baked Beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will keep well for about 3-4 days. You can also freeze them for longer storage, up to 3 months. Just make sure to thaw them in the refrigerator before reheating.
Tips to Make Cowboy Baked Beans
- For a spicier version, add chopped jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the mixture.
- Use different types of beans, such as black beans or cannellini beans, to customize the flavor.
- To save time, you can use pre-cooked ground beef, which only needs to be heated before mixing it in.
Variation
If you want a vegetarian option, you can substitute the ground beef with plant-based meat crumbles or simply skip it altogether. You can also add vegetables like bell peppers or corn for extra flavor and nutrition.
FAQs
1. Can I make Cowboy Baked Beans ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the beans a day in advance and bake them just before serving.
2. What if I don’t have baked beans?
You can use a combination of kidney beans, pinto beans, and any other beans you have on hand, adding the right seasonings to mimic the flavor of baked beans.
3. Can I cook Cowboy Baked Beans in a slow cooker?
Yes, you can cook the mixture in a slow cooker on low for about 6 hours or on high for 3 hours. Just combine everything in the slow cooker and let it do the work!
