Cowboy Beans with Bold Flavors (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ Main Ingredients
01 -
1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 1/2 cups)
02 -
1 medium green bell pepper, diced (about 1 cup)
03 -
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
04 -
8 ounces sliced bacon, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
05 -
1 can (about 15 ounces) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
06 -
1 can (about 15 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
07 -
1 can (about 15 ounces) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
08 -
1 pound lean ground beef (85% lean)
→ Seasonings and Sauces
09 -
1 tablespoon chili powder
10 -
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
11 -
1 teaspoon kosher salt
12 -
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
13 -
1 cup water
14 -
1/4 cup tomato-based barbecue sauce
15 -
1/4 cup packed light or dark brown sugar
16 -
1/4 cup ketchup
17 -
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
→ Optional Toppings
18 -
Sour cream
19 -
Thinly sliced scallions
# Instructions:
01 -
Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat the oven to 350°F. Dice the onion and bell pepper, chop the garlic, and cut the bacon into 1/4-inch pieces. Drain and rinse the beans.
02 -
Place the bacon in a Dutch oven and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until browned and crisp, 7 to 10 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Remove all but 1 tablespoon of bacon fat from the pot and discard the remaining fat.
03 -
Add the onion and bell pepper to the pot and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic, chili powder, and cayenne pepper (if using) and stir to combine. Cook, stirring frequently, for about 1 minute or until fragrant.
04 -
Add the ground beef, kosher salt, and black pepper to the pot. Cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon and scraping up the browned bits on the bottom of the pot, until the beef is cooked through and browned, 4 to 5 minutes.
05 -
Add the beans, cooked bacon, water, barbecue sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, and Dijon mustard to the pot. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer.
06 -
Cover the pot and transfer it to the oven. Bake at 350°F until the flavors meld and the sauce thickens, about 45 minutes. Taste and season with additional kosher salt if necessary.
07 -
Serve the cowboy beans with your desired toppings such as sour cream and thinly sliced scallions.