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Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans

This cowboy beans recipe delivers a hearty dish of beans, ground beef, and bacon in a sweet and tangy sauce.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours 10 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 20 minutes
Course lunch/dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 8 people
Calories 4474.4 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Slow Cooker A 6-quart or larger capacity is ideal for this recipe.
  • 1 Large Skillet For browning the ground beef and bacon efficiently.
  • 1 Wooden Spoon or Spatula For stirring and breaking up meat during browning, and mixing ingredients in the slow cooker.
  • 1 Cutting Board For safely chopping bacon and onions.
  • 1 Chef's knife For precise preparation of ingredients.

Ingredients
  

Main

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • ½ pound bacon chopped
  • 1 28 ounce can baked beans with pork
  • 1 15 ounce can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 15 ounce can lima beans, rinsed and drained
  • 2 onions chopped
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon prepared mustard

Instructions
 

  • Gather the ingredients. ALLRECIPES / MADHUMITA SATHISHKUMAR
  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir ground beef and bacon together in the hot skillet until beef is browned and crumbly, about 7 to 10 minutes. ALLRECIPES / MADHUMITA SATHISHKUMAR
  • Transfer hamburger and bacon into a slow cooker; stir in baked beans with pork, kidney beans, lima beans, onions, ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard. ALLRECIPES / MADHUMITA SATHISHKUMAR
  • Cover and cook on Low until thickened and bubbling, at least 3 hours. ALLRECIPES / MADHUMITA SATHISHKUMAR

Notes

For optimal flavor, ensure the ground beef and bacon are thoroughly browned in the skillet to develop a rich Maillard crust; draining excess fat from the beef before adding to the slow cooker can prevent a greasy final product. Rinsing canned beans thoroughly not only reduces sodium but also improves the texture of the dish. To enhance depth, consider adding a dash of smoked paprika or a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar during the last hour of cooking for a brighter finish. Monitor the sweetness, as 1 cup of brown sugar is substantial; adjust to preference. A sprinkle of fresh parsley or chopped green onions before serving adds a vibrant visual and aromatic touch.