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Slow cooker cowboy beans in a bowl with a wooden spoon.

Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans

Author: Ryan Allen
Sweet and savory flavors combine with hearty ground beef and beans for the perfect combination of flavor, texture, and aroma in this easy recipe for Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans! Enjoy as a side dish for any BBQ or potluck!
5 from 9 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 365 kcal

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!

Notes

  • After cooling, cowboy beans can be preserved in an airtight container and refrigerated for a maximum of four days.
  • Cowboy beans can be prepared in the oven, effectively turning them into "baked beans." To do this, you will need to complete the first four steps of the instructions using a Dutch oven or other large oven-safe pot. Then, add all remaining ingredients, stir, and transfer to a 350-degree Fahrenheit oven for one hour.

Nutrition

Calories: 365kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 14gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 59mgSodium: 666mgPotassium: 346mgFiber: 1gSugar: 22gVitamin A: 204IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 34mgIron: 2mg

*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.

Keyword Cowboy Beans, Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans
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