Cowboy Beans Will Be the Best Tasting Side Dish at the Party

Cowboy Beans Will Be the Best Tasting Side Dish at the Party

12 servings
This take on classic baked beans is amped up with crispy bacon, ground beef, and a touch of cayenne pepper. The finished dish is sweet, spicy, and perfect for summer barbecues.

Ingredients

  • slices bacon
    8
  • lean ground beef
    1 lb
  • chopped onion
    1 c
  • garlic

    minced

    3 cloves
  • 15-ounce can pork and beans in tomato sauce
    1
  • 15-ounce can great northern beans

    rinsed and drained

    1
  • 15-ounce can pinto beans

    rinsed and drained

    1
  • 15-ounce can butter beans

    rinsed and drained

    1
  • 15-ounce can kidney beans

    rinsed and drained

    1
  • ketchup
    ¾ c
  • molasses
    ¼ c
  • yellow mustard
    1 tbsp
  • worcestershire sauce
    1 tbsp
  • cayenne pepper
    ¼ tsp

Directions

  1. 1

    Cook Bacon Preheat oven to 375°F. In a large skillet cook bacon over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until crisp, about 8 minutes. Remove bacon from skillet with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate. Drain drippings from skillet.

  2. 2

    Cook Ground Beef Mixture Add ground beef, onion, and garlic to skillet. Cook over medium heat, stirring and breaking up meat, until meat is browned and cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes.

  3. 3

    Assemble and Bake In a bowl combine beef mixture, pork and beans, great Northern beans, pinto beans, butter beans, kidney beans, ketchup, molasses, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and cayenne. Transfer bean mixture to a 3 1/2- to 4-quart casserole. Bake, covered, for 30 minutes. Stir mixture, then top with cooked bacon. Bake, covered, 30 minutes more or until hot and bubbly.

Cowboy Beans Will Be the Best Tasting Side Dish at the Party

Cowboy Beans Will Be the Best Tasting Side Dish at the Party

96 min12 servings

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About this Recipe

Looking for that show-stopping side dish that will have everyone asking for the recipe at your next barbecue? These Cowboy Beans are the ultimate sweet and spicy crowd-pleaser, guaranteed to steal the spotlight and become the best tasting side dish at any party.

What sets these Cowboy Beans apart is the rich foundation built with crispy bacon and savory ground beef, a hearty upgrade from traditional baked beans. The blend of five different beans creates incredible texture, while a careful balance of ketchup, molasses, and a kick of cayenne ensures layers of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavor that truly makes this dish special.

Get ready for a robust, satisfying side dish where every spoonful delivers a delightful interplay of textures and tastes. You'll experience the tender bite of great northern, pinto, butter, and kidney beans, perfectly complemented by the soft pork and beans, all swimming in a rich, slightly smoky, and wonderfully balanced sweet-spicy sauce. The ground beef and bacon add a savory depth that makes this dish feel substantial and incredibly comforting, perfect for any summer gathering.

While this recipe is packed with flavor, it's also adaptable. For an extra layer of savory depth, ensure your bacon is rendered until perfectly crisp before crumbling. If you prefer less heat, you can adjust the cayenne pepper to taste. This dish is hearty enough to be a standalone meal, but truly shines as a side.

These Cowboy Beans are the quintessential side for summer barbecues, potlucks, and family gatherings, pairing perfectly with grilled meats like ribs or pulled pork. Serve them warm straight from the pot for a comforting and hearty addition to any meal.

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