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Cowboy Beans

Cowboy Beans
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Hearty and comforting Cowboy Beans recipe featuring a smoky, sweet, and savory blend of pinto and kidney beans, bacon or smoked sausage, and a rich tomato-based sauce. Perfect for family meals or BBQs, this easy-to-make southwestern dish is versatile, make-ahead friendly, and packed with bold flavors that improve after resting.

Ingredients

Scale

Beans

  • 2 cans (15 oz each) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed

Meat and Aromatics

  • 4–6 slices bacon or 8 oz smoked sausage, diced
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

Sauces and Seasonings

  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon mustard powder
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Ingredients: Drain and rinse the canned pinto and kidney beans thoroughly to reduce excess sodium and remove any metallic taste. Dice the yellow onion and mince the garlic to maximize their flavor release during cooking.
  2. Cook the Bacon and Aromatics: In a large skillet or pot, cook the diced bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pan. Use this fat to sauté the diced onions until soft and translucent, then add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Combine Base Ingredients: Add the drained beans, cooked bacon (chopped), tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, mustard powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper to the pot. Stir everything well to evenly blend the flavors.
  4. Simmer to Perfection: Allow the beans to simmer gently over medium-low heat for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. This slow simmer will thicken the sauce and deepen the flavors beautifully.
  5. Taste and Adjust: Before serving, taste the Cowboy Beans and adjust seasonings as needed. Add more salt, pepper, or brown sugar if you prefer a sweeter edge.

Notes

  • Use canned beans for convenience and consistent texture.
  • Simmer the beans gently over low heat to develop flavors without burning the sauce.
  • Optionally toast chili powder and mustard powder briefly before adding for enhanced aroma.
  • Don’t omit the brown sugar; it balances acidity and adds the perfect sweetness.
  • Let the beans rest slightly after cooking to allow flavors to meld.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cowboy Beans, southwestern beans, smoked beans, hearty bean recipe, family meal, BBQ side, vegetarian option, make-ahead beans

Find it online: https://elenaglam.com/cowboy-beans/