Cowboy Beans Recipe

Name: Cowboy Beans
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 lb dried pinto beans or 1 lb dried navy beans, washed and picked clean of any debris; 4 slices bacon, chopped fine (about 4 ounces); 1 medium onion, chopped fine; 4 medium garlic cloves, minced (about 4 teaspoons); 4 1/2 cups water; 1 cup strong black coffee; 1/3 cup dark brown sugar, packed; 2 tablespoons prepared brown mustard (such as Gulden's); 1/2 cup barbecue sauce, plus; 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce; 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce; 2 teaspoons salt; ground black pepper

Servings: persons

1 lb dried pinto beans or 1 lb dried navy beans, washed and picked clean of any debris
4 slices bacon, chopped fine (about 4 ounces)
1 medium onion, chopped fine
4 medium garlic cloves, minced (about 4 teaspoons)
4 1/2 cups water
1 cup strong black coffee
1/3 cup dark brown sugar, packed
2 tablespoons prepared brown mustard (such as Gulden's)
1/2 cup barbecue sauce, plus
2 tablespoons barbecue sauce
1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
2 teaspoons salt
ground black pepper

1
Soak beans overnight -OR- place beans and 6 cups water in large Dutch oven. Bring to boil over high heat and cook for 5 minutes. Remove pot from heat, cover and allow beans to sit for 1 hour. Drain beans. Clean and dry pot.
2
Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 300u00b0F Add bacon to pot and cook over medium heat until lightly browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in onion and cook until beginning to brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Add brown sugar, mustard, 1/2 cup barbecue sauce, hot sauce, and salt. Return to boil over high heat, cover pot, and transfer to oven.
3
Cook until beans are just tender, 2 to 2 1/2 hours. Remove lid and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid has thickened to syrupy consistency, 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Remove from oven, stir in remaining 2 tablespoons barbecue sacue, and season to taste with salt and pepper.
4
Beans can be refrigerated in airtight container for several days.

508

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

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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 dried pinto beans or 1 lb dried navy beans, washed and picked clean of any debris, 4 slices bacon, chopped fine (about 4 ounces), 1 medium onion, chopped fine, 4 medium garlic cloves, minced (about 4 teaspoons), and more.

Yes, Cowboy 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!

Cowboy Beans

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions