Cowboy Baked Beans

April 5, 2023

These Cowboy Baked Beans are one of my most requested dishes to bring to cookouts and one of my most requested recipes in general! They are also a dish that my son asks for every year on his birthday, so it is a recipe that I make quite often! It makes quite a bit and is perfect for cookouts/parties!

What is in Cowboy Baked Beans

Cowboy Baked Beans are loaded up! They have bacon, ground beef, peppers and onions among other things. And even though there are plenty of variations on the internet, this is the recipe I grew up with and know. It is the one that will always be in my rotation! They are a meal in itself and can certainly be eaten as one, but I consider them an indulgent side dish!

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb of bacon
  • 1 lb of ground beef
  • 1 diced green bell pepper
  • 1 diced onion
  • 1 cup of BBQ Sauce
  • 1/4 cup of Honey Dijon Mustard
  • 1/4 cup of Brown Sugar
  • 1 tbs each of Garlic Powder, Onion Powder and any BBQ Rub
  • (2) 28 oz cans of any flavor Baked Beans

Can they be made ahead of time?

Yes, you can make these up to 2-3 days ahead of time. When you are ready to eat them, simply heat them in the oven or in a slow cooker.

Can they be frozen?

Yes. This recipe yields a lot and you can easily freeze the leftovers. Let them cool completely and store in an airtight container for up to 6 months in the freezer.

How do you make them?

You will start by chopping up the bacon and cooking in a skillet over medium heat until browned. Once it is nice and crispy, remove from the pan with a slotted spoon and set aside and drain all of the grease.

Next, in the same skillet, you will brown the ground beef with the peppers and onions. Once the meat is cooked, drain it and season with the spices listed above.

Now you will preheat your oven to 350 degrees. You can use the same pan if it is large enough, but I like to transfer them to a 9×13 baking dish.

Pour the beans in then add the rest of the ingredients, including the cooked bacon and ground beef. Stir everything together really well.

Bake for about 45 minutes to 1 hour. You can also do these on a smoker (in an aluminum foil pan) at 225 degrees for 2 hours.

These are great served with pretty much ANYTHING! We love them with pulled pork or chicken, BBQ Ribs, burgers, pretty much anything on the smoker or grill!

They’re a great addition to any meal, but as I said, can be a meal themselves. Make a batch of cornbread for the perfect pairing!

If you do make this recipe, please leave a comment and a rating! I love hearing from you and it helps so much! Thanks!

And if you would like to order my new E-Book “Dinner is Done!”, click here!

Cowboy Baked Beans

These are the perfect side dish for cookouts or great for a meal all on their own!
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Course Main Course, Potluck, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 16

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

Seasonings

  • 1 tbs each Garlic Powder, Onion Powder and BBQ Rub

Instructions
 

  • In a skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until nice and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. Drain all of the grease
  • In the same skillet, brown the ground beef with the onions and peppers. Drain the grease and season with the spices listed above.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  • You can use the same dish if it is oven safe and large enough. If not follow the next steps.
  • In a 9×13 baking dish, pour in the baked beans and the rest of the ingredients, including the cooked bacon and ground beef. Stir everything together really well.
  • Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Notes

Slow Cooker Instructions: Follow recipe but transfer everything to the slow cooker and cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 3-4 hours. 
Smoker Instructions: Follow recipe but smoke at 225 degrees for about 2 hours. 
Keyword Baked Beans, Cowboy Baked Beans
@whatsmomcookin

These Cowboy Baked Beans have gone viral both times I’ve posted them and for good reason! They’re so dang good! #cowboybeans #sidedish #cookout #easyrecipe #easyrecipe #food #spring #whatsmomcookin #easter #partyfood #bakedbeans #delicious #beans #yummy

♬ Good Vibes (Instrumental) – Ellen Once Again
Here are some more great side dishes I am sure you will love!

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Comments

  • 5 stars
    Rave reviews when I make these! Delicious and easy.

  • Glenn cook

    5 stars
    The recipe for the cowboy baked beans is incredible thank you very much for that recipe delicious it deserves 10 Stars

    • A

      Glenn,

      Wow! What a rave review! And I must say that I agree with you about them being INCREDIBLE! I appreciate you taking the time to come on here and leave a review and a five star rating! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!

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