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Cowboy Baked Beans

This Cowboy Baked Beans recipe makes a hearty side dish with plenty of bold flavors. The ingredients are baked in a thick, smoky sauce in the oven to get lovely depth and caramelization.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Servings: 12
Calories: 522kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a 9x13-inch baking dish by lightly greasing it.
  • Cook the chopped bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp, then remove with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving about 2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the pan.
  • Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks.
  • Stir in the diced onion and cook until softened, about 3–4 minutes, then add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  • Drain excess grease if needed, then return the cooked bacon to the skillet.
  • Add the baked beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, barbecue sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper, and stir until fully combined.
  • Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
  • Bake uncovered for 45–60 minutes, or until hot and bubbling around the edges.
  • Let the beans rest for 5 minutes before serving to thicken slightly.

Notes

  • Don’t rush these cowboy baked beans—they need close to an hour in the oven for the flavors to come together and the top to caramelize. That rich, textured finish is what makes this recipe stand out.
  • Let the cowboy baked beans rest for a bit before serving so the sauce can thicken up nicely.
  • Make these homemade cowboy beans in the slow cooker! Start by browning the beef, bacon, and onion. Then add everything to your slow cooker and cook on low for 4–6 hours.

Nutrition

Calories: 522kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 1429mg | Potassium: 885mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 191IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 125mg | Iron: 4mg