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Cowboy Beans: Hearty Baked Beans with Ground Beef, Bacon, and Barbecue Sauce Recipe

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Cowboy Beans are a hearty and flavorful American side dish combining ground beef, crispy bacon, sautéed onions and bell peppers, sweet brown sugar, baked beans, tangy barbecue sauce, and dijon mustard. This comforting dish is baked in the oven until hot, bubbly, and thickened, perfect to serve alongside grilled meats or at family gatherings.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (approximately 1 cup)
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced (approximately 1 cup)
  • ½ teaspoon garlic salt
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • ¼ cup brown sugar (optional)
  • 2 cans (28 ounces each) baked beans (e.g. Bush’s Original Baked Beans)
  • ½ cup barbecue sauce
  • 2 tablespoons dijon mustard

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the beans later.
  2. Cook the beef and vegetables: In a 4 quart heavy bottom oven-safe pot or Dutch oven, heat over medium heat. Add the ground beef, diced onion, diced green bell pepper, garlic salt, and onion powder. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is fully browned and no longer pink. Drain excess liquid from the pot to avoid sogginess.
  3. Add remaining ingredients: Stir in the crumbled cooked bacon, brown sugar (if using), baked beans, barbecue sauce, and dijon mustard until all ingredients are well combined.
  4. Bake the beans: Cover the pot with its lid and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 1 hour, allowing the flavors to meld and the mixture to thicken. The beans should be hot, bubbly, and richly sauced when done.
  5. Serve warm: Remove from the oven and serve the cowboy beans warm as a hearty side dish to your favorite meals.

Notes

  • Brown sugar is optional; omit if you prefer a less sweet dish.
  • Bacon slices should be cooked and crumbled before adding to enhance texture and flavor.
  • This recipe serves approximately 12 people as a side dish.
  • Use an oven-safe heavy pot like a Dutch oven for best results.
  • Adjust seasoning to taste, especially salt, since bacon and baked beans can be salty.

Find it online: https://bitezly.com/cowboy-beans-hearty-baked-beans-with-ground-beef-bacon-and-barbecue-sauce-recipe/