Slow cooker cowboy beans take classic baked beans and kicks them up with bacon, chili powder, and a rich, sweet, and tangy BBQ sauce mix for the ultimate Tex-Mex baked beans.
Baked beans are a staple at almost any backyard BBQ or summertime party. Of course, we all know the classic BBQ baked beans variation. This cowboy beans recipe takes BBQ baked beans and gives them a Tex-Mex makeover with a few extra ingredients.
This recipe was inspired by another baked beans recipe on my site, and it pairs well with these BBQ pulled pork sandwiches.
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Why You'll Love These Beans
- It uses simple ingredients that you can find in your kitchen or the grocery store.
- It's an easy recipe; the only effort is mixing the ingredients and turning on the slow cooker.
- It's a budget-friendly meal that uses affordable ingredients.
- It's the classic side dish for potlucks and backyard parties.
Ingredients
- Ground beef
- Bacon - cut into bite-size pieces
- Yellow onion - diced
- Canned pork and beans
- Kidney beans - rinsed and drained
- Pinto beans - rinsed and drained
- Ketchup
- BBQ sauce
- Brown sugar
- Black pepper
- Yellow mustard
- Chili powder
See the recipe card at the end of the post for exact quantities.
Flavor Variations and Substitutions
- You can use ground turkey, chicken, pork, or even chorizo in this recipe.
- Add extra vegetables like bell peppers or celery for more flavor.
- You can used diced ham or smoked sausage in place of bacon.
- Add diced jalapenos or red pepper flakes for a kick of heat.
- Use different beans like navy beans, black beans, or white beans.
How to Make Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans
1: Brown the beef, drain it, and add it to the slow cooker.
2: Cook the bacon until crisp and add it to the slow cooker.
3: Cook the onions in the bacon drippings until translucent and add them to the slow cooker.
4: Add all the beans to the slow cooker.
5: Mix the ketchup, BBQ sauce, brown sugar, black pepper, mustard, and chili powder. Then, pour it over the beef and beans and stir.
6: Cook the beans until the flavors have melded. Enjoy!
Hint
Mix the BBQ sauce mixture before adding to the slow cooker to ensure all the flavors are combined.
Storage
Refrigerate the beans for up to 4 days in an air-tight container. For longer storage, freeze them in an air-tight, freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
To reheat the beans, place them in a saucepan with a few tablespoons of water and cook over medium-low until heated through.
What to Serve with Cowboy Beans
These beans are the classic summer side and pair well with sandwiches, BBQ, and grilled foods to create a delicious meal.
Tips
- Be sure to drain and rinse your canned kidney and pinto beans. The bean liquid is full of starch and will alter the texture of the final recipe.
- Mix your sauce ingredients before adding them to the slow cooker to ensure the flavors meld properly.
- If you choose to add diced jalapenos, wash your hands thoroughly and never touch your face.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, if you do not have a crock pot handy, you can make crockpot cowboy beans in a Dutch oven or large baking dish. Preheat your oven to 350°F and bake for 1 hour, occasionally stirring until the beans are cooked through.
Canned pork and beans can be found in the canned goods section of most grocery stores. If you cannot find them, feel free to substitute them with baked beans along with extra bacon or pieces of cooked pork.
Yes, if you are looking for a vegetarian option, feel free to omit the ground beef, bacon, and pork and use vegetarian meat crumbles instead. You can also add diced vegetables such as bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini.
More Slow Cooker Side Dishes
- Easy Crock Pot Sweet Potatoes
- Crock Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Crock Pot Cheesy Hash Browns
- Crock Pot Ranch Potatoes
- Crock Pot Creamed Corn
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Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ lb bacon (cut into bite size pieces)
- 1 medium yellow onion (diced)
- 2 (16 oz) cans of pork and beans
- 1 (15.5 oz) can kidney beans (rinsed and drained)
- 1 (15.5 oz) can pinto beans (rinsed and drained)
- 1 cup ketchup
- ¼ cup barbecue sauce
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- ½ tsp chili powder
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add hamburger and cook until browned. It takes about 5-7 minutes, then drain and add to a 6-quart slow cooker.
- Add chopped bacon to the skillet and cook until crisp. It takes about 4-5 minutes, then add bacon into the slow cooker. Add onion to the bacon drippings and cook until translucent. It takes about 5-6 minutes. Drain and add to the slow cooker.
- Add pork and beans, kidney beans, and pinto beans to the slow cooker.
- Add ketchup, barbecue sauce, brown sugar, black pepper, mustard, and chili powder in a medium bowl. Mix until well combined and pour over ground beef and beans. Then, mix until well combined.
- Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 5-6 hours.
- Serve while hot, and enjoy!
Nutrition
*Nutrition information is an estimate. It may vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact ingredient numbers, I recommend calculating them with your preferred nutrition calculator.
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