Description
Slow Cooker Steakhouse Cowboy Baked Beans are a hearty, flavorful side dish perfect for any BBQ or family dinner. Combining smoky bacon, ground beef, and a medley of beans cooked slowly with classic barbecue flavors, this recipe delivers rich, comforting taste with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat & Aromatics
- 6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
- 1 pound ground beef or ground chuck
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Beans
- 2 cans (15 oz each) baked beans
- 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
Sauces & Seasonings
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Bacon: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crisp. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon pieces and transfer them to paper towels to drain excess fat.
- Brown the Ground Beef: In the same skillet with the bacon fat, add the ground beef. Cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks for even browning.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Add diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the ground beef. Continue cooking for 3–4 minutes until the onion softens and becomes translucent. Drain any excess grease from the mixture.
- Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Transfer the cooked ground beef, onion, garlic, and bacon into the slow cooker. Add baked beans, kidney beans, and pinto beans. Stir in barbecue sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes if using. Mix everything thoroughly.
- Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4–6 hours or on high for 2–3 hours. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking and flavor blending.
- Finish and Serve: Once cooked, remove the lid and let the beans sit uncovered for 10–15 minutes to thicken slightly if desired. Serve the cowboy baked beans warm as a hearty side dish or main, ideally with cornbread or grilled meats.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground sausage for added flavor and a slight twist.
- This recipe doubles well for potlucks and large gatherings.
- Keep the beans warm in the slow cooker for serving during parties or meals.
