Description
Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans is a hearty and flavorful dish featuring a savory mix of ground beef, crispy bacon, and baked beans combined with a tangy, sweet sauce. Perfect for a crowd or meal prep, this recipe makes use of a slow cooker to blend the bold western flavors over several hours, delivering a comforting, rich, and satisfying side or main dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 1½ lb ground beef
- 1 lb bacon
Beans & Sauces
- 2 (55-oz) cans baked beans (Bush’s)
- 1¼ cups ketchup
- 3 Tbsp mustard
Flavorings & Liquids
- 2 Tbsp dried minced onion flakes
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup beef broth
Instructions
- Cook the ground beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it is no longer pink. Drain excess fat and set aside.
- Prepare the bacon: In the same or a separate skillet, cook the bacon until crispy. Drain off the grease, then chop the bacon into bite-sized pieces.
- Combine ingredients in slow cooker: Transfer the cooked ground beef and chopped bacon to a 6-quart slow cooker. Add the baked beans, ketchup, mustard, dried minced onion flakes, minced garlic, brown sugar, and beef broth. Stir all ingredients thoroughly to combine evenly.
- Cook low and slow: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on the LOW setting for 6 to 8 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the beans to become tender.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, add a teaspoon of chili powder or smoked paprika.
- Use turkey bacon or lean ground turkey for a lighter version of this dish.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Ensure to drain excess fat from cooked meats to reduce greasiness.
- This recipe works well for potlucks and can easily be doubled to feed larger groups.
