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Judy John

Ground Beef Cowboy Baked Beans Recipe

Ground beef cowboy baked beans combine hearty beans, savory beef, and rich smoky sauce. This filling baked dish is bold, comforting, and perfect for crowds.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Servings: 18 servings
Course: Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 338
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Beef Base
  • 1 1/2 lb ground beef lean
  • 1 medium yellow onion diced
  • 1 green bell pepper bell pepper diced
Beans And Sauce
  • 2 15-oz cans pinto beans drained
  • 2 15-oz cans kidney beans drained
  • 1 cup barbecue sauce
  • 3/4 cup ketchup
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar packed
  • 2 tbsp yellow mustard
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowl
  • Skillet
  • Dutch Oven
  • Baking Dish
  • Wooden Spoon
  • Measuring Cups
  • Oven
  • Freezer
  • Tray
  • Knife

Method
 

  1. Heat oven to 325°F.
  2. Cook ground beef in a skillet until browned. Drain excess fat.
  3. Add onion and bell pepper. Cook until softened and fragrant.
  4. Stir in barbecue sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, vinegar, paprika, and pepper.
  5. Add beans and fold gently until evenly coated in sauce.
  6. Transfer mixture to baking dish. Cover and bake 45 minutes.
  7. Uncover and bake 25 to 30 minutes until bubbling and thick.
  8. Rest 10 minutes before serving so sauce tightens slightly.

Notes

For softer beans, bake covered longer with a splash of water. For crispier top edges, uncover earlier and bake longer. Freeze cooled portions up to 2 months. Stir gently during assembly to keep beans intact. Add bacon, jalapeno, or chipotle for flavor twists. Store covered in the refrigerator up to 5 days.