Description

Hearty Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans are a rich, filling comfort food made with ground beef, bacon, mixed beans, and a sweet smoky sauce. This easy slow cooker dinner is perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, game days, and casual family meals.

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef

8 slices bacon, chopped

1 medium yellow onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 can kidney beans, 15 ounces, drained and rinsed

1 can pinto beans, 15 ounces, drained and rinsed

1 can black beans, 15 ounces, drained and rinsed

1 can baked beans, 28 ounces

3/4 cup barbecue sauce

1/2 cup ketchup

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 tablespoon yellow mustard

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/2 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1. Cook the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat until fully browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain the excess grease.

2. In the same skillet, cook the chopped bacon until it begins to crisp. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, then stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.

3. Transfer the cooked ground beef, bacon, onion, and garlic to the slow cooker.

4. Add the kidney beans, pinto beans, black beans, and baked beans.

5. Pour in the barbecue sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine.

6. Cover and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours or on high for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, until hot and thick.

7. Stir before serving and enjoy warm.

Notes

Brown the meat well before adding it to the slow cooker for the best flavor.

For thicker beans, leave the lid slightly open during the last 20 to 30 minutes of cooking.

These beans taste even better the next day after the flavors have had more time to blend.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours
Category: Dinner
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 420
Sugar: 16g
Sodium: 980mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0.5g
Carbohydrates: 39g
Fiber: 9g
Protein: 24g
Cholesterol: 40mg

Keywords: cowboy beans, slow cooker beans, crockpot cowboy beans, hearty bean dinner, beans with ground beef and bacon