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!
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 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.