Cowboy Baked Beans

A hearty and flavorful dish, Cowboy Baked Beans combine tender beans with smoky bacon, zesty barbecue sauce, and a hint of sweetness, perfect for picnics or family gatherings.

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Course: Main Dish, Side Dish

Cuisine: American, Barbecue

Keyword: baked beans, barbecue, cowboy beans

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 2

Total Time: 2 15

Servings: servings

Calories: 320kcal

Ingredients

Beans and Base

2 cups dried navy beans soaked overnight
6 slices bacon chopped
1 medium onion finely diced
2 cloves garlic minced

Flavoring Ingredients

1 cup barbecue sauce your favorite brand
1/4 cup brown sugar packed
2 tablespoons yellow mustard
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt to taste

Liquid Ingredients

4 cups water for cooking beans

Instructions

Prepare the Beans

Rinse the soaked navy beans under cold water to remove any impurities.
In a large pot, combine the rinsed beans and 4 cups of water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 1 hour, or until the beans are tender. Drain and set aside.

Cook the Bacon and Vegetables

In the same pot, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy, about 5-7 minutes.
Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and place it on a paper towel to drain. Leave about 2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the pot.
Add the diced onion to the pot and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.

Combine Ingredients

Return the cooked beans to the pot with the bacon and onions.
Add the barbecue sauce, brown sugar, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt. Stir until well combined.

Bake the Beans

Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).
Transfer the bean mixture to a baking dish and spread it evenly.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 1 hour.
After 1 hour, remove the foil and bake for an additional 30 minutes, allowing the top to caramelize and thicken.

Serve

Remove the baked beans from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.
Enjoy your Cowboy Baked Beans as a side dish or a main course!

Notes

For a vegetarian version, substitute the bacon with smoked tempeh or omit it entirely. Adjust the salt accordingly if using canned beans.

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