Description
Cowboy Baked Beans are the ultimate crowd-pleasing side dish! Loaded with ground beef, crispy bacon, baked beans, and a rich smoky-sweet barbecue sauce, they’re baked until thick, bubbly, and caramelized. Whether you’re serving them at a summer cookout, bringing them to a potluck, or adding them to your holiday table, this hearty recipe is always one of the first dishes to disappear.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
6-8 slices bacon, chopped
1 medium onion, diced
2 (28 oz) cans baked beans
1/2 cup barbecue sauce
1/3 cup ketchup
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the chopped bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove and drain on paper towels, leaving a small amount of drippings in the pan.
- Add the ground beef and diced onion to the skillet and cook until the beef is browned and the onion is soft, breaking up the meat as it cooks. Drain excess grease if needed.
- In a large bowl or Dutch oven, combine baked beans, cooked beef mixture, bacon, barbecue sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Stir until everything is evenly mixed, then transfer to a greased 9×13 baking dish or keep in a Dutch oven.
- Bake uncovered at 350°F for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, until thick, bubbly, and slightly caramelized on top.
- Let rest for about 10 minutes before serving so the sauce can thicken.
Notes
Storage Instructions: Store leftover Cowboy Baked Beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm larger portions on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. You can also reheat them in a 350°F oven until heated through.
Cowboy Baked Beans freeze well. Allow them to cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dishes
- Method: Oven Baked
- Cuisine: American
