Easy Cowboy Baked Beans Recipe (Skillet or Slow Cooker)

You might have seen cowboy baked beans all over the internet and thought, “Another recipe? Do I really need this?” Well, hear me out. This isn’t just any bean dish. Having grown up with a family that loved a good potluck, I know these beans are the real deal. They’re loaded up with everything you could want – think crispy bacon, savory ground beef, colorful peppers, and tender onions. The best part? There are plenty of variations to make it your own, but even the basic recipe is a total crowd-pleaser.

Now, here’s the thing: while these beans are traditionally considered a side dish, I’m here to tell you they’re indulgent enough to be a meal all by itself. Seriously, give it a try. You won’t be disappointed. 

Why are They Called Cowboy Beans?

Cowboy beans, also known as chuckwagon beans, are a bean dish that’s popular in the southwestern United States. Since beans are economical, filling, and delicious, they were great for traveling long distances. The dish was likely named for the cowboys and pioneers who worked the land, and who were fueled by this hearty meal (and probably a lot of musical fruit…).

Cowboy Beans are made with ground beef, a variety of beans, and a slightly sweet, tangy sauce. Other types of meat can also be used, like bacon. While they’re liked baked beans, they’re not as sweet. This meal in themselves can be made and served from slow cookers, crock-pots, or baked in the oven, depending on the recipe.

Now, while a cowboy might appear in the name, the use of canned beans, sauce, and mustard, means the dish is unlike anything ranch hands would have eaten in the 19th century. Back then, a chuckwagon cook would have soaked beans in a pot, and perhaps combined them with small bits of leftover meat. May be, how Cowboy beans got their name?, we’ll never know. What we do know is that they’re amazing and the perfect side dish for a family dinner, holidays, or cookouts.

Let’s Make Them!

Let’s start by chopping the bacon and cooking it in a skillet over medium heat until it’s browned, nice and crispy. Then, remove the bacon from the pan with a slotted spoon and set it aside. Drain most of the grease, but do not remove all the bacon drippings from the pan.

Tip: I like to cut the bacon into small pieces with clean kitchen scissors before adding it to the pot. You might find this is faster than using a knife.

Next, in the same skillet, brown the ground beef, peppers, and onions. Once the meat is cooked through, drain any excess grease, and season it with your favorite spices. I recommend a mix of brown sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, and chili powder.

Now, you have two options for cooking the beans:

Baking Method:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. You can use the same pan if it’s large enough, or transfer the mixture to a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. Pour in the beans, then add the mustard and BBQ sauce, along with the cooked bacon and ground beef. Stir everything well.
3. Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour. You can also use a smoker with an aluminum foil pan at 225 degrees F for 2 hours.

CrockPot Method:

1. Add all the ingredients to a lined or greased crockpot. Stir everything well.
2. Cook on high for 2 hours, then low for 4 to 5 hours. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.

PRO-TIP: The beans can be prepped a day or so in advance of your dinner or event. If they’ve been cooked in the oven or crock pot, just add some time for them to be heated through completely, which will likely be closer to an hour.

These beans are great served with pulled pork, chicken, BBQ ribs, or burgers from the smoker or grill. Or, they can be an addition to any meal in themselves. For the full experience, whip up a batch of cornbread, which makes for the perfect pairing.

Cowboy Baked Beans in a Skillet

If you’re looking for a quicker version of this dish, you can make Cowboy Baked Beans right in your skillet.

Set the heat to medium-high, then cover and stir occasionally until everything is warmed through, about 10 minutes. Any excess liquid will cook off during this time. Once ready, serve and enjoy!

Possible Variations

1. You can decrease the amount of sugar in the sauce to adjust the recipe to your taste. Feel free to change up the recipe based on your preferences!

2. If you like an even sweeter bean recipe, you can add more brown sugar and BBQ sauce to the recipe. You could even add ketchup if desired!

3. The sky’s the limit when it comes to the type of beans you use in this recipe. Choose any kind that you love!

4. For a less hearty version, you can try using half ground beef and half bacon.

5. If you have leftover smoked pork butt, you can add it to the beans in place of the ground beef or bacon. This is a good way to use up leftovers!

Can they be made ahead of time?

Yes! You can make these beans up to 2–3 days ahead of time. When you’re ready to eat them, simply heat them up in the oven or a slow cooker.

Storing and Reheating

Refrigerator: Leftover beans can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4–5 days. Reheating can be done in the microwave, stovetop, or oven – it’s super adjustable!

Freezer: This recipe yields a lot, so freezing the leftovers is a great option. Cool them completely, then store in an airtight container for up to 6 months in the freezer. Thaw the beans in the fridge overnight and reheat in the microwave, on the stovetop, or in the oven.

Read More: Loaded Baked Beans

Wrapping It Up

Cowboy baked beans are the ultimate comfort food, whether you’re enjoying them at a backyard barbecue or a cozy weeknight dinner. Their rich history and versatile nature make them a dish that can be tailored to anyone’s tastes. So next time you’re looking for a hearty and flavorful meal, don’t be afraid to give this classic recipe a try. You might just discover your new favorite potluck dish!

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do you make homemade baked beans softer? 

The key is to cook them low and slow. Whether in a slow cooker, oven, or even on the stovetop, allowing them plenty of time to simmer will help the beans soften up.

What makes baked beans better? 

It all comes down to personal preference! Some people like them sweeter, while others prefer a tangier flavor. Adding different meats like bacon or smoked pork butt can also enhance the flavor. Experiment with different ingredients to find your perfect combination.

How did cowboys cook beans? 

Cowboys typically cooked beans in a Dutch oven over an open fire. They would soak the beans overnight, then simmer them for hours with whatever meat or vegetables they had on hand.

Can I make these beans ahead of time? 

Yes! You can make these beans up to 2–3 days ahead of time. When you’re ready to eat them, simply heat them up in the oven or slow cooker.

How can I store leftover cowboy baked beans? 

Leftover beans can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4–5 days. They can also be frozen for up to 6 months!

Can I reheat cowboy baked beans in the microwave? 

Absolutely! Cowboy baked beans can be reheated in the microwave, on the stovetop, or in the oven.

What can you add to baked beans to make them tastier? 

Get creative! Try adding different types of beans, meats (like sausage or brisket), vegetables (like corn or jalapeños), or spices (like smoked paprika or cumin). The possibilities are endless!

Can I use a different type of meat in this recipe? 

Yes! While ground beef is the most common, you can use other meats like bacon or leftover smoked pork butt.

Can I adjust the sweetness of the beans? 

Yes, you can adjust the amount of brown sugar and BBQ sauce to suit your taste.

Easy Cowboy Baked Beans Recipe

Recipe by Carmen FoodieCourse: CrockPot DinnersCuisine: American

Servings

16

servings

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

1

hour 

Calories

375

kcal

Total time

1

hour 

30

minutes

Easy Cowboy Baked Beans are a hearty, flavorful dish loaded with bacon, ground beef, and a medley of beans. Whether enjoyed as a side dish or a meal on its own, this recipe is sure to satisfy any hungry crowd.

Ingredients

• 1 lb Bacon, chopped into small pieces

• 1 lb Ground Beef, or any ground meat of your choice

• 1 Green Bell Pepper, diced

• 1 Yellow Onion, Diced

• (2) 28 oz Cans of any flavor Baked Beans

• 1 Cup Any flavor BBQ Sauce

• 1/4 Cup Honey Dijon Mustard

• 1/4 Cup Brown Sugar

• 1 tbs Garlic Powder

• 1 tbs Onion Powder

• 1 tbs BBQ Rub

• 1 tbs chili powder

Directions

• Start by chopping the bacon and cooking it in a skillet over medium heat until it’s browned, nice and crispy. Then, remove the bacon from the pan with a slotted spoon and set it aside. Drain most of the grease, but do not remove all the bacon drippings from the pan.
• Next, in the same skillet, brown the ground beef, peppers, and onions. Once the meat is cooked through, drain any excess grease, and season it with your favorite spices. I recommend a mix of brown sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, and chili powder.
• Now, you have two options for cooking the beans:
• Baking Method:
• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. You can use the same pan if it’s large enough, or transfer the mixture to a 9×13 inch baking dish.
• Pour in the beans, then add the mustard and BBQ sauce, along with the cooked bacon and ground beef. Stir everything well.
• Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour. You can also use a smoker with an aluminum foil pan at 225 degrees F for 2 hours.
• CrockPot Method:
• Add all the ingredients to a lined or greased crockpot. Stir everything well.
• Cook on high for 2 hours, then low for 4 to 5 hours. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.

Notes

• Serving Ideas: These beans are great served with pulled pork, chicken, BBQ ribs, or burgers from the smoker or grill. Or, they can be an addition to any meal in themselves. For the full experience, whip up a batch of cornbread, which makes for the perfect pairing.
• Tip: Cut the bacon into small pieces with clean kitchen scissors before adding it to the pot. You might find this is faster than using a knife.
• PRO-TIP: The beans can be prepped a day or so in advance of your dinner or event. If they’ve been cooked in the oven or crock pot, just add some time for them to be heated through completely, which will likely be closer to an hour.