Cowboy Baked Beans are a hearty and flavorful dish, perfect for barbecues, potlucks, or a comforting side to any meal. This recipe combines baked beans with ground beef, bacon, and a tangy, sweet sauce for a dish that’s sure to be a hit!
📋 Ingredients:
- 🥓 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 🥩 1 lb ground beef
- 🧅 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 🧄 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 🥫 2 cans (15 oz each) baked beans (like Bush’s Original)
- 🍯 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 🍯 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 🍯 1/4 cup ketchup
- 🥄 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- 🍯 1 tbsp molasses (optional, for a deeper flavor)
- 🧂 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 🌶️ 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional, for a smoky flavor)
- 🌶️ 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 🧂 Salt, to taste
📝 Directions:
1. Cook the Bacon and Beef:
- 🍳 Cook the Bacon: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until it’s crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set it aside on a paper towel-lined plate. Leave about 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the skillet.
- 🥩 Brown the Ground Beef: In the same skillet, add the ground beef. Cook until browned and fully cooked, breaking it up into crumbles as it cooks. Drain any excess fat.
2. Sauté the Onions and Garlic:
- 🧅 Add Onions and Garlic: Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the ground beef and cook until the onion is soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
3. Combine the Ingredients:
- 🥫 Add the Beans and Sauce Ingredients: Add the baked beans, barbecue sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, mustard, molasses (if using), Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir everything together until well combined.
4. Simmer:
- 🍲 Simmer: Reduce the heat to low and let the beans simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. This will allow the flavors to meld together and the sauce to thicken slightly.
5. Finish and Serve:
- 🥓 Add Bacon: Stir the cooked bacon back into the beans. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.
- 🍽️ Serve: Serve the Cowboy Baked Beans hot, as a side dish with your favorite barbecue, burgers, or even as a main dish with some crusty bread.
🍽 Serve:
Enjoy your rich, flavorful Cowboy Baked Beans, a perfect addition to any meal!
⏱ Preparation Time: 10 minutes
⏱ Cooking Time: 40 minutes
⏱ Total Time: 50 minutes
🍽 Servings: 6-8 servings
🔥 Calories: 300 kcal per serving
💡 Notes:
- For a spicy kick, you can add a chopped jalapeño or a dash of hot sauce to the beans.
- These beans can be made ahead of time and reheated before serving. They also freeze well for up to 3 months.
Enjoy your hearty and delicious Cowboy Baked Beans! 🍲✨