California Barbecued Beans Recipe

Name: California Barbecued Beans
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 lb pink kidney beans, rinsed and picked over (pinquito beans are traditional); 4 slices bacon, minced; 1/2 lb deli ham, minced; 1 onion, minced; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 6 cups water; 1 cup canned tomato puree; 1/2 cup bottled taco sauce; 5 tablespoons light brown sugar; 1 tablespoon dry mustard; salt; 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro; 2 tablespoons cider vinegar

Servings: persons

1 lb pink kidney beans, rinsed and picked over (pinquito beans are traditional)
4 slices bacon, minced
1/2 lb deli ham, minced
1 onion, minced
4 garlic cloves, minced
6 cups water
1 cup canned tomato puree
1/2 cup bottled taco sauce
5 tablespoons light brown sugar
1 tablespoon dry mustard
salt
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons cider vinegar

1
Place the beans and 6 cups water in a large Dutch oven.
2
Bring to a boil over high heat and cook for 5 minutes.
3
Remove the pot from the heat, cover and allow the beans to sit for 1 hour.
4
Drain the beans; clean and dry the pot.
5
Cook the bacon and ham in the Dutch oven over medium heat until the fat renders and the pork is lightly browned, 5-7 minutes.
6
Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
7
Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
8
Add the drained beans and 6 cups water; bring to a simmer.
9
Decrease heat to med-low, cover, and cook until the beans are just soft, about 1 hour.
10
Stir in the tomato puree, taco sauce, sugar, mustard, and 2 teaspoons salt.
11
Continue to simmer, uncovered, until the beans are completely tender and the sauce is thickened, about 1 hour (if the mixture becomes too thick, add water).
12
Stir in the cilantro and vinegar and season with salt to taste.
13
Serve.

647

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Brown sugar instead of white sugar adds a deeper, more caramel-like flavor.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

Saved locally in your browser — visible only to you.

How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 13 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 1 lb pink kidney beans, rinsed and picked over (pinquito beans are traditional), 4 slices bacon, minced, 1/2 lb deli ham, minced, 1 onion, minced, and more.

Yes, California Barbecued Beans falls under the Meat & Poultry category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

California Barbecued Beans

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions