This cowboy beans recipe is exactly what you need for all of your summer barbecues!
I have a confession to make.
When I was a child, I did not like beans. I mean, let’s be honest. It’s not that I disliked the taste of them. I actually had never tasted them. They just looked kinda gross, if you asked me.
So, I didn’t try them. I just decided I hated them and I lived a sad life without beans.
The one exception was baked beans. I mean, you literally can’t go wrong with baked beans when you’re a kid. They’re sweet deliciousness. Like dessert for dinner!
My dad loves cowboy beans and I’d eat those anytime he made them. Cowboy beans are basically just baked beans with the addition of MEAT. Because cowboys like meat. Obviously.
So, as part of my partnership with Hurst’s Beans this year, I wanted to bring you a recipe for cowboy beans! This is a stovetop version and it’s seriously simple to make.
I used Hurst’s Slow Cooker Bacon & Beans for this one. It’s a mix of pinto beans and Great Northern beans, which is a great combo. The seasoning packet that comes with the beans give these a great boost of flavor. I know these are called slow cooker beans, but I like to make this one on the stove top.
If you’ve never cooked with dried beans or just believe that canned are as good, please give this recipe a try!
Dried beans are so economical and they really just taste better than canned, in my opinion. I mean, canned is fine when you need a shortcut. I’m not hatin’. But I do love dried beans when I have the time to let them cook. The flavor is always phenomenal and I feel very accomplished turning hard little rocks into tender perfection. 😉
You’re going to love this hearty cowboy beans recipe!
I have experimented a lot with soaking beans vs. not soaking beans. Both work, and I’d never hesitate to cook unsoaked beans when I’m in a pinch and decide that I absolutely must have some taco chili or pulled pork and pinto beans. If I know I’m making beans, though, I like to give them a soak overnight. It just helps ensure they’ll come out extra creamy and perfect.
This recipe calls for soaking and it’s totally worth it for the creamy goodness you’ll get.
Cowboy Beans
Ingredients
- 1 package Hurst's Slow Cooker Bacon & Beans
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound bacon
- 1 sweet onion diced
- 1 jalapeno diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 7 cups water
- 1 cup ketchup
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Rinse and sort through the beans, discarding any debris. Place in a large bowl and cover with water. Soak overnight or for 8 hours.
- Add the ground beef to a 5.5 quart dutch oven and brown, crumbling as it cooks. Remove from the pan and drain the grease.
- Dice the bacon and add to the dutch oven. Cook, stirring often, until crisp.
- Add the onion and jalapeno the pan and cook for 2 minutes.
- Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Return the ground beef to the pan with the bacon and vegetables.
- Drain the beans and add to the pan. Cover with 7 cups of water.
- Stir in the ketchup, brown sugar, and molasses.
- Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce to a simmer, and cook, covered, for 1 hour and 30 minutes. Stir every 30 minutes.
- Stir in the seasoning packet that came with the beans along with the the salt and pepper. Cook for 30 minutes more, uncovered.
Gretchen says
Do you have any suggestions on how to modify this recipe to be less sweet so it could work as a main dish instead of a side dish?
Karly says
Use less sugar.
Grant says
I’m a guy. What is considered a large Dutch oven?
Karly says
I used 5.5 quarts. Sorry, I wasn’t more clear!
Grant says
Is ok. I doubt I’ll catch you fast enough because I’m doing bacon right now and I just noticed it didn’t say to drain bacon grease. I couldn’t imagine you’d leave it in do I won’t but if that’s wrong let me know. Thanks for the response.
Grant says
Haha I figured you’d say that. I’ll do it next time. Speaking of time, thanks for yours.
mydronechoice says
When I originally left a comment I appear to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time
a comment is added I recieve 4 emails with the exact same comment.
Perhaps there is an easy method you can remove me from that service?
Thanks!
Karly says
I’m sorry, but I don’t see your email as subscribed. Hoping you saw the unsubscribe button in your email and took care of it. 🙂
Julie says
Is this a 15 ounce package of beans?
Karly says
Yep!
romain | glebekitchen says
Cooking beans from dried is excellent advice! Can’t wait to try these cowboy beans at my next BBQ. They are sure to be a hit.
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
My husband is going to go crazy over these Karly! Perfect for summer BBQ’s!
Shay says
I’m not hating
LOL
Jenny says
This is off the link from above right off the site…season packet ingredients….
Seasoning Packet
Salt, Natural Bacon Flavor (Maltodextrin, Autolyzed Yeast Extract, Natural Smoke & Grill Flavors), Maltodextrin, Yeast Extract, Sugar, Dehydrated Garlic, Dehydrated Onion, Dehydrated Bell Pepper, Spices, contains 2% or less of each of the following: Dehydrated Chili Peppers, Natural Applewood & Hickory Smoke Flavors, Tricalcium Phosphate, Silicon Dioxide (anticaking agent)., CONTAINS SOY. CONTAINS NO ANIMAL PRODUCTS.
Nutritional Information
marcie says
I have always loved beans, but the sad thing is that I’ve never had Cowboy beans! Thank you for enlightening me — I need to get these on the menu!
Co Milton says
I too cannot find the Hurst’s bacon and beans………….what would you suggest  as a substitute?
Karly says
Hurst’s pinto beans are sold nationwide. I would just substitute those as they’ll have a seasoning packet inside. 🙂
David @ Spiced says
I’m with ya, Karly! Beans are just not the most kid-friendly food…but baked beans are another story. I love the name for this recipe, and I’m pretty sure I could go to town on these! They look like an excellent side dish for a summer BBQ. Oh, and I totally agree with you on dried beans! Yum!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
I love beans and regularly eat them. Though, as I child, not so much! These look delicious! Love the addition of ground beef to them – makes for a super hearty, filling dinner! Would totally eat these for breakfast right now, though 😉
Michele says
If I can’t find beans with a seasoning packet what seasonings do you suggest that I add?
Karly says
I would add in some liquid smoke, for sure. Garlic powder, onion powder, extra salt and pepper would also be a good start.
Violet says
Worcestershire sauce, and the liquid smoke
LaRene says
I have a question. I cannot have bacon & the ham flavoring sends my stomach into bad pain!! What & how would you suggest that I season the recipe since I would have to leave those items out? Thanks for whatever help you can give me.
Karly says
I might try adding a little bit of liquid smoke and extra salt, as needed.