By Krista Teigen
Updated Dec 18, 2025
Cowboy beans are the kind of hearty side dish I’m looking for during backyard barbecues or for a weeknight comfort meal. This version has smoky bacon, savory ground beef, and tender beans simmered in a sweet-and-tangy sauce that’s loaded with flavor. It’s an easy but still impressive side I like to make to wow a crowd.
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The mix of textures is really what sells this dish for me. Soft beans, juicy beef, and crisp bits of bacon make every bite satisfying. I used a mixture of pinto, kidney, and cannellini beans, but it’s totally up to you. They’re called “cowboy beans” because versions of this hearty, protein-packed dish were cooked over open fires by cowboys on the trail. Simple, filling, and made with whatever was on hand. It’s one of those recipes that gets even better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep or taking along to gatherings.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ ½ lb bacon chopped. Turkey bacon can be used as a lighter option
- ▢ ½ onion chopped
- ▢ 1 lb. ground beef I used lean ground beef to reduce the grease. You can also use ground turkey, chicken, or pork
- ▢ 2 cloves garlic minced
- ▢ 1 tsp chili powder
- ▢ ½ tsp salt
- ▢ ½ tsp garlic powder
- ▢ ½ tsp onion powder
- ▢ 15 oz. pinto beans 1 can, drained
- ▢ 15 oz. kidney beans 1 can, drained
- ▢ 15 oz. cannellini beans 1 can, drained
- ▢ ½ cup BBQ sauce use your favorite
- ▢ ¼ cup ketchup
- ▢ 2 tbsp mustard
- ▢ 2 tbsp brown sugar honey or maple syrup works as a natural sweetener
- ▢ 1½ tbsp apple cider vinegar
Video
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Add the chopped bacon to an oven safe Dutch oven over medium heat, and cook until crispy. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towel. Pour out most of the grease from the pot.
- Add in the onion, ground beef, garlic, chili powder, salt, garlic powder, and onion powder. Cook until the beef is browned and the onion is soft.
- Stir in the pinto beans, kidney beans, and baked beans. Then, add in the BBQ sauce, ketchup, mustard, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and bacon bits, and give everything a good stir.
- Cover the pot. Then, transfer to the oven and bake for 40 minutes.
Becky’s Tips
- Slow cooker option: Brown the bacon, beef, and onions first, then transfer everything to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 4–5 hours or high for 2–3 hours.
- Best beans to use: Pinto and baked beans are classic, but kidney, navy, or black beans work just as well. Mix a few varieties for extra texture.
- Vegetarian version: Skip the bacon and beef, and add extra beans or sautéed mushrooms for a hearty, meaty texture without the meat.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Cowboy Beans Step by Step
Gather all the ingredients together.
Cook the bacon: In a large skillet, cook 6 slices of bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving about 1 tbsp bacon grease.
Brown the beef and onions: In the same skillet, add 1 lb. ground beef and 1 diced onion. Cook until beef is browned and onions are softened, about 5–6 minutes. Drain excess grease if needed. Stir in 2 cloves minced garlic and 1 tbsp chili powder, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
Combine the beans and sauce: In a large pot or Dutch oven, add the beef mixture, cooked bacon, 2 cans pinto beans (drained), 1 can baked beans, 1 cup barbecue sauce, ½ cup ketchup, ¼ cup brown sugar, and 1 tbsp mustard. Stir well.
Simmer and serve: Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook over low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve hot.
How to Store and Reheat
Cowboy beans are perfect for making ahead since the flavors only get better with time. You can prepare the full recipe up to 1–2 days in advance, then let it cool completely before storing it in an airtight container in the fridge.
When ready to serve, reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of broth or water if needed to loosen the sauce. For longer storage, freeze cooled beans in portioned freezer-safe bags or containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat until hot.
What Else Can I Add to Cowboy Beans
- Corn kernels : Add sweetness and a little texture.
- Diced bell peppers: Bring color and crunch.
- Chopped jalapeños : Give it a spicy kick.
- Smoked sausage or chorizo: Boost protein and smoky flavor.
- Fresh herbs : Parsley or cilantro brighten the finished dish.
- Hot sauce or Worcestershire : Deepen the savory, tangy notes.
Serving Suggestions
I love that this recipe works just as well today as a one-pan meal you can serve with bread or cornbread , or as a flavorful side at barbecues and potlucks. It’s hearty enough to serve as a main dish with fluffy buttermilk biscuits or spooned over a baked potato. They’re also a delicious side for barbecue favorites like St. Louis ribs , burgers, or grilled chicken.
More Hearty Bean and BBQ Side Dish Recipes to Try
Instant Pot BBQ Baked Beans
Creamy Coleslaw Recipe
Potato Skin Bites
Macaroni Salad Recipe
Cowboy Beans
Ingredients
- ½ lb bacon chopped. Turkey bacon can be used as a lighter option
- ½ onion chopped
- 1 lb. ground beef I used lean ground beef to reduce the grease. You can also use ground turkey, chicken, or pork
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 15 oz. pinto beans 1 can, drained
- 15 oz. kidney beans 1 can, drained
- 15 oz. cannellini beans 1 can, drained
- ½ cup BBQ sauce use your favorite
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp mustard
- 2 tbsp brown sugar honey or maple syrup works as a natural sweetener
- 1½ tbsp apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Add the chopped bacon to an oven safe Dutch oven over medium heat, and cook until crispy. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towel. Pour out most of the grease from the pot.
- Add in the onion, ground beef, garlic, chili powder, salt, garlic powder, and onion powder. Cook until the beef is browned and the onion is soft.
- Stir in the pinto beans, kidney beans, and baked beans. Then, add in the BBQ sauce, ketchup, mustard, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and bacon bits, and give everything a good stir.
- Cover the pot. Then, transfer to the oven and bake for 40 minutes.
Video
Notes
- Slow cooker option: Brown the bacon, beef, and onions first, then transfer everything to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 4–5 hours or high for 2–3 hours.
- Best beans to use: Pinto and baked beans are classic, but kidney, navy, or black beans work just as well. Mix a few varieties for extra texture.
- Vegetarian version: Skip the bacon and beef, and add extra beans or sautéed mushrooms for a hearty, meaty texture without the meat.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
