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Homestead Cowboy Beans

These cowboy beans are a family favorite! I have an enormous family, and all the men go trail riding several times a year — these hearty cowboy beans made with baked beans, Great Northern beans, pork and beans, and pinto beans are what they look forward to the most!
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours 10 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 20 minutes
Course lunch/dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 12 people
Calories 8811.2 kcal

Equipment

  • 2 Large Skillet Or one large skillet used sequentially.
  • 1 Slow Cooker Essential for long, low cooking.
  • 1 Spatula or wooden spoon For cooking and stirring.
  • 1 Slotted Spoon Useful for draining solids from liquids.

Ingredients
  

Main

  • 1 pound bacon
  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • ⅓ cup brown sugar
  • 1 55 ounce can baked beans (such as Bush's®)
  • 2 15 ounce cans Great Northern beans
  • 1 15 ounce can pinto beans
  • 1 15 ounce can pork and beans

Instructions
 

  • Place bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned and crispy, 10 to 12 minutes. Drain bacon slices on paper towels and crumble when cool enough to handle.
  • At the same time, heat another large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir ground beef in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain and discard grease.
  • Place bacon, ground beef, onion, ketchup, and brown sugar in a slow cooker; mix well. Add baked beans, Great Northern beans, pinto beans, and pork and beans.
  • Cook on Low, stirring often, about 4 hours.

Notes

1. For enhanced flavor, consider caramelizing the chopped onion in a little of the rendered bacon fat before adding it to the slow cooker. This brings out its sweetness and depth.2. Ensure the ground beef is thoroughly browned and all excess grease is drained. A rich flavor comes from browning, but too much grease can make the dish heavy.3. Taste and adjust seasonings before the long cook time. A touch of smoked paprika or a dash of Worcestershire sauce can add complexity.4. If serving for a crowd, this dish holds well on a 'Keep Warm' setting in the slow cooker, allowing flavors to deepen further.