Slow cooker cowboy beans are a hearty and flavorful dish that is perfect for a busy weeknight meal. This classic recipe combines pinto beans, ground beef, and a variety of spices for a delicious and satisfying meal that the whole family will love. With the convenience of the slow cooker, you can easily prepare this dish in the morning and have it ready for dinner when you get home from work. Alternatively, if you are short on time, the instant pot version of this recipe can be ready in just a fraction of the time. No matter which method you choose, you are sure to enjoy this delicious and versatile dish.
Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!
THE BEST SLOW COOKER COWBOY BEANS
The very best Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans! This easy recipe is so hearty and filling and just perfect for chilly weather! Loaded with three types of beans, bacon, and beef, this family favorite is frequently served up at holiday gatherings, potlucks, and parties and is a must for game day.
Provided by Trish - Mom On Timeout
Categories Main Main Dish Side Dish
Time 4h15m
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- In a large skillet, brown ground beef. Drain and set aside.
- Add bacon to the skillet and cook 5 to 7 minutes or until cooked through, stirring frequently.
- Add onions and cook an additional 4 to 5 minutes or until onions are soft and translucent.
- Add ground beef and bacon mixture to a large 6 quart slow cooker.
- Add pork 'n beans, drained kidney and white beans, ketchup, brown sugar and liquid smoke.
- Stir gently to combine. Place lid on slow cooker and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or on high 2 to 3 hours, stirring as needed. If the mixture seems a little dry, add a few tablespoons of water.
- Serve with tortillas chips, corn chips, sour cream, cheese, whatever you want. Anything goes!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 367 kcal, Carbohydrate 39 g, Protein 20 g, Fat 14 g, SaturatedFat 5 g, Cholesterol 47 mg, Sodium 807 mg, Fiber 8 g, Sugar 9 g, ServingSize 1 serving
SLOW COOKER COWBOY BEANS (WITH INSTANT POT VERSION)
These slow cooker cowboy beans are the BBQ cousin to my calico beans.... and the entire family actually likes these beans better now! Simmer them low and slow all day and come home to a slow cooker full of delicious, tangy BBQ beans!
Provided by Karlynn Johnston
Categories Main Course
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- In a large skillet cook the bacon for 2-3 minutes. Add in the beef and onion and cook until the meat is no longer pink, then drain.
- Combine the beef mixture, bacon and all other ingredients in a slow cooker. For the liquid smoke you can add to taste, some people like it smokier!
- For the slow cooker, place the lid on top and cook on high for 3-4 hours, or low for 6-8 hours.
- If you want to cook in the oven you can also spoon the mixture into a greased 2-qt. baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 325° for 45-60 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy!
- In the bottom of your Instant Pot using the "saute" button, cook the bacon for 2-3 minutes. Add in the beef and onion and cook until the meat is no longer pink, then drain.
- Combine the beef mixture, bacon and all other ingredients into the Instant Pot.
- For the Instant Pot, use the chili/stew button and cook on high pressure for 15 minutes. I do not recommend slow cooking as it doesn't do as good of a job as an actual slow cooker.
- Release the pressure via natural release for the safest way, or instant release it according to the manufacturers directions,.
- Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 490 kcal, Carbohydrate 67 g, Protein 31 g, Fat 12 g, SaturatedFat 4 g, Cholesterol 54 mg, Sodium 901 mg, Fiber 14 g, Sugar 17 g, ServingSize 1 serving
SLOW COOKER COWBOY BEANS
This slow cooker recipe delivers a hearty dish of hamburger, bacon, and beans in a thick and sweet sauce.
Provided by Heather
Categories Baked Beans
Time 3h20m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir hamburger and bacon together in the hot skillet until hamburger is browned and crumbly, 7 to 10 minutes.
- Stir cooked hamburger and bacon, baked beans with pork, kidney beans, lima beans, onions, ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard together in the bottom of your slow cooker.
- Cook on Low until hot and thickened, at least 3 hours.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 470.9 calories, Carbohydrate 67.7 g, Cholesterol 52.6 mg, Fat 12.6 g, Fiber 11 g, Protein 24.8 g, SaturatedFat 4.5 g, Sodium 1216.7 mg, Sugar 35.3 g
INSTANT POT COWBOY BEANS
Wow. These are terrific. And the instant pot makes them fast and easy. Recipe courtesy of SImply Happy Foodie. If you're using an 8 quart pot, use 2 cans of kidney beans and bump the amount of water up to 3/4 cup.
Provided by AmyZoe
Categories Beans
Time 40m
Yield 10-14 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- First, get everything ready. Meat and vegetables chopped, spices ready, garlic pressed or minced, measuring cups, etc. This helps the process go smoothly.
- Turn on the pot's saute setting and add the ground beef, bacon, and onion. Cook until meat is no longer pink. You shouldn't have to drain it unless you use a fattier meat. Leave some of the fat in there.
- Add the garlic and stir. Let cook for 1 minute.
- Add the water and kielbasa.
- Add the remaining ingredients in order (except brown sugar), and do not stir, just push them down into the mixture to cover them.
- Put the lid on the pot and set the steam release knob to the Sealing position.
- Cancel the saute setting.
- Pressure the pressure cook/manual button or dial, and then the plus or minus button or dial to select 8 minutes.
- Watch the pot until it comes to pressure. This is a pretty thick mixture, so you want to make sure you don't get the burn message. If you do, remove the lid if the pin is still down. Otherwise, release any pressure first and get your wood spoon down in there and scrape the bottom. Add another 1/4 cup of water if it looks too thick, close the lid, and reset.
- When the cook time is finished, turn the pot off (so it doesn't go to warming), and let it sit undisturbed for 15 minutes (natural release). Then release the remaining pressure in short bursts, until you are sure no sauce will be spewing out with the steam.
- When the pin in the lid drops down, open and carefully mix up the beans. Stir in the brown sugar.
- Serve with corn bread.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 724.1, Fat 36.1, SaturatedFat 12.7, Cholesterol 104, Sodium 1662.8, Carbohydrate 69.6, Fiber 13.7, Sugar 19.2, Protein 34.1
Tips:
- Choosing the Right Beans: Select fresh or dried beans that are whole and free from blemishes. If using dried beans, soak them overnight before cooking.
- Seasoning the Beans: Use a variety of seasonings to enhance the flavor of the beans. Common seasonings include salt, pepper, garlic, onion, cumin, and chili powder.
- Cooking Time: The cooking time for cowboy beans can vary depending on the type of beans used and the cooking method. Generally, dried beans require longer cooking times than canned or fresh beans.
- Adding Vegetables: Feel free to add vegetables to your cowboy beans for extra flavor and nutrition. Common vegetables include diced tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, and corn.
- Serving Suggestions: Cowboy beans can be served as a main course or a side dish. They pair well with grilled meats, roasted chicken, or cornbread.
Conclusion:
Cowboy beans are a hearty and flavorful dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With a variety of recipes and cooking methods to choose from, there is sure to be a cowboy bean recipe that everyone will love. Whether you prefer to use fresh, canned, or dried beans, or if you prefer to cook your beans in a slow cooker or an instant pot, you are sure to end up with a delicious and satisfying meal.
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