🤠🥄 Cowboy Baked Beans
Serves: 8–10
Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 1 hour (oven) or 4–6 hours (slow cooker)
Total Time: ~1–1.5 hours (oven)
🧂 Ingredients:
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1 lb ground beef
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6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
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1 small onion, finely chopped
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2 cans (15 oz each) pork and beans (or baked beans)
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1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
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1 can (15 oz) pinto or black beans, drained and rinsed
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½ cup BBQ sauce
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⅓ cup ketchup
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¼ cup brown sugar
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1 tbsp yellow mustard
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1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
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1 tsp chili powder (optional for a kick)
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Salt and pepper to taste
🍳 Instructions:
1. Preheat Oven:
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cook the Meat:
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In a large skillet over medium heat, cook chopped bacon until just crispy. Remove and set aside.
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In the same skillet, cook ground beef and onion until beef is browned and onion is soft. Drain excess grease.
3. Combine Everything:
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In a large mixing bowl (or directly in a Dutch oven or baking dish), combine:
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Cooked beef and onions
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Bacon
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Pork and beans, kidney beans, and pinto beans
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BBQ sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire, and chili powder
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Stir well to combine.
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4. Bake:
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Pour mixture into a greased 9×13 baking dish or Dutch oven.
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Bake uncovered for 1 hour, until bubbly and slightly caramelized on top.
🔁 Slow Cooker Option:
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After browning beef and bacon, combine all ingredients in a slow cooker.
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Cook on LOW for 4–6 hours or HIGH for 2–3 hours.
🔥 Optional Add-Ins:
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1 diced jalapeño for spice
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1 tbsp apple cider vinegar for tang
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A splash of bourbon for a smoky depth
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Chopped bell peppers for extra color
🍽️ Serve With:
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Cornbread or biscuits
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Grilled sausages or hot dogs
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Potato salad or coleslaw
Let me know if you’d like a vegetarian version, or want to scale it up for a crowd!
