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An overhead close-up shot of hearty cowboy beans in a cast-iron skillet, showcasing the rich texture of the beans and meat.

Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans: The Ultimate Hearty Side Dish

This Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans recipe is the ultimate comfort food! A hearty, flavorful mix of ground beef, bacon, and three types of beans simmered in a smoky, sweet, and tangy BBQ sauce.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Western
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 8 oz bacon chopped
  • 1 large yellow onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 can (15 oz) pinto beans rinsed and drained
  • 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans rinsed and drained
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp mustard powder
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

Equipment

  • 1 Slow Cooker (6-quart or larger)
  • 1 Large Skillet

Method
 

  1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the chopped bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, reserving the fat in the skillet.
  2. Add the diced onion and ground beef to the skillet. Cook until the beef is fully browned and the onion is softened. Drain any excess grease.
  3. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for one more minute until fragrant.
  4. Transfer the beef and onion mixture to a 6-quart or larger slow cooker. Add the cooked bacon and the rinsed and drained pinto, kidney, and black beans.
  5. In a medium bowl, whisk together the BBQ sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, smoked paprika, mustard powder, and black pepper.
  6. Pour the sauce over the ingredients in the slow cooker. Stir everything together until well combined.
  7. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the sauce has thickened and the flavors have melded.
  8. Stir well before serving. Enjoy hot.

Notes

For a thicker sauce, you can uncover the slow cooker for the last 30 minutes of cooking.
This recipe is great for making ahead, as the flavors deepen overnight in the refrigerator.