Name: Cowboy Beans Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 oz. bacon, chopped into 1/2″ pieces; 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped; 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped; 1/2 cup chopped jarred roasted red bell peppers; 1/4 cup chopped pickled jalapeños; 1 lb. lean ground beef; 2 tsp. taco seasoning; Kosher salt, to taste; 2 (14-oz.) cans pinto beans, drained and rinsed; 1 (14-oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed; 1 (14-oz.) can small red beans or dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed; 1 1/2 cups low-sodium beef broth or water; 1 cup store-bought or homemade BBQ sauce; 1/2 cup ketchup; 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar; 2 tbsp. Dijon or spicy brown mustard; 2 tbsp. molasses; 1 tbsp. hot sauce

Ingredients

4 oz. bacon, chopped into 1/2″ pieces

1 large yellow onion, finely chopped

4 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1/2 cup chopped jarred roasted red bell peppers

1/4 cup chopped pickled jalapeños

1 lb. lean ground beef

2 tsp. taco seasoning

Kosher salt, to taste

2 (14-oz.) cans pinto beans, drained and rinsed

1 (14-oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 (14-oz.) can small red beans or dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed

1 1/2 cups low-sodium beef broth or water

1 cup store-bought or homemade BBQ sauce

1/2 cup ketchup

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

2 tbsp. Dijon or spicy brown mustard

2 tbsp. molasses

1 tbsp. hot sauce

Instructions

Step 1: In a cold large Dutch oven or heavy pot, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until crisp, about 9 to 11 minutes. Add the finely chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic, roasted red peppers, and jalapeños, cooking until the garlic is fragrant, about 2 to 3 minutes.

Step 2: Push the onion mixture to one side of the pot. Add the ground beef and taco seasoning to the other side. Season with kosher salt. Break up the beef with a wooden spoon and cook, stirring occasionally, until no longer pink, about 5 to 6 minutes. Then stir to combine with the onion mixture.

Step 3: Add the pinto beans, black beans, red or kidney beans, beef broth or water, BBQ sauce, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, mustard, molasses, and hot sauce. Stir well to combine. Cover the pot and let cook for 15 minutes. Uncover and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the flavors meld and the sauce thickens, about another 15 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning with more taco seasoning and salt if needed.

Tips & Variations

For a smoky depth, try adding a teaspoon of smoked paprika to the seasoning mix.

Use a combination of your favorite beans or add kidney beans for extra texture.

For spicier beans, increase the amount of pickled jalapeños or hot sauce to taste.

Serve with cornbread or over rice for a complete meal.

Storage

Store leftover Cowboy Beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened too much. This dish also freezes well for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

FAQs

Can I make Cowboy Beans vegetarian?

Yes! Simply omit the bacon and ground beef and sauté extra onions and bell peppers for flavor. You can also add smoked paprika or liquid smoke to mimic the smoky taste.

What can I use instead of BBQ sauce?

If you don’t have BBQ sauce on hand, you can substitute with a mix of tomato sauce, a bit of vinegar, brown sugar, and spices like smoked paprika and garlic powder to create a similar tangy, sweet flavor.