Crockpot Cowboy Beans

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Are you looking for a tasty, filling meal that’s easy to make? Cowboy beans in a crockpot might be just what you need. This dish is packed with flavor from ground beef, bacon, and three types of beans. You can cook these beans in your slow cooker with just 10 minutes of prep time.

The recipe makes 8 servings, perfect for a family dinner or gathering with friends. Each serving has 471 calories, making it a hearty meal. You’ll love how the flavors blend as the beans simmer for 3 hours and 10 minutes. The mix of pork and beans, kidney beans, and lima beans creates a rich, satisfying texture.

Exact Ingredients List

Here’s what you’ll need to make these tasty cowboy beans:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 pound bacon, diced
• 1 can (28 oz) pork and beans
• 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 oz) lima beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 onions, finely chopped
• 1 cup ketchup
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon mustard

This recipe makes 8 servings. Each serving has about 471 calories.

You’ll need a large skillet and a slow cooker to make these beans. The prep time is quick – just 10 minutes to get everything ready.

Make sure you have all the ingredients before you start cooking. You can swap out different types of beans if you want. The mix of meats and beans gives this dish a hearty, satisfying texture.

The long, slow cooking time (3 hours and 10 minutes) lets all the flavors blend together nicely. Your kitchen will smell amazing as these cowboy beans simmer away in the crockpot!

Instructions

Get your ingredients ready. You’ll need ground beef, bacon, pork baked beans, kidney beans, lima beans, onions, ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard.

Start by cooking the meat. Put a big pan on the stove and turn the heat to medium-high. Add the ground beef and chopped bacon. Stir it often while it cooks. It should take about 7-10 minutes until the beef is brown.

Now it’s time for the slow cooker. Put the cooked meat in your slow cooker. Add all the other stuff – the beans, chopped onions, ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard. Mix it up well.

Put the lid on your slow cooker. Set it to “Low” and let it cook for at least 3 hours. You’ll know it’s done when it gets thick and starts to bubble.

Your cowboy beans will be hot and tasty when they’re ready. Grab a spoon and dig in! This recipe makes enough for 8 people to enjoy.

Possible Substitutes List

You can easily switch up this cowboy beans recipe with some tasty substitutes. Here are some ideas:

Meat options:

• Ground turkey instead of beef
• Diced ham for bacon
• Sliced sausage

Bean varieties:

• Pinto beans
• Black beans
• Great northern beans

You can swap any of these for the kidney or lima beans. Just make sure to drain and rinse canned beans before adding.

Sweeteners:

• Maple syrup
• Honey
• Molasses

Try these in place of brown sugar for a different flavor. Start with half the amount and adjust to taste.

Other swaps:

• BBQ sauce for ketchup
• Diced bell peppers for some of the onion
• Chili powder or smoked paprika for extra kick

Feel free to get creative! The slow cooker method makes it easy to try new combos. Just keep the liquid amounts similar so your beans don’t dry out.

How To Make It Diabetes-Friendly

To make this cowboy beans recipe more diabetes-friendly, you can make a few simple swaps. Start by using lean ground turkey instead of beef. This cuts down on saturated fat and calories.

Skip the bacon or use turkey bacon in smaller amounts. This helps reduce sodium and fat content. Choose low-sodium versions of canned beans and rinse them well before using.

Replace the brown sugar with a sugar substitute made for baking. You can also cut the amount in half. For ketchup, pick a no-sugar-added version or use tomato paste mixed with vinegar and spices.

Add more veggies like bell peppers or zucchini. This boosts fiber and nutrients while lowering the carb-to-fiber ratio. You can also use fewer beans overall to reduce carbs.

Here’s a quick comparison:

These changes make the dish more blood sugar-friendly while keeping the flavors you love.

Tips, Tricks & Storing

For extra flavor, try adding a dash of smoked paprika or chili powder to your cowboy beans. You can also swap out the ground beef for ground turkey if you want a lighter option.

Don’t have lima beans? No problem! Use pinto beans or black beans instead. The beauty of this recipe is its flexibility.

To save time, cook and crumble the bacon ahead. Store it in the fridge until you’re ready to use it. This way, you can quickly throw everything in the slow cooker on busy mornings.

Got leftovers? Lucky you! These beans taste even better the next day. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

To reheat, simply pop a portion in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. Stir halfway through to ensure even heating.

You can also freeze cowboy beans for up to 3 months. Just let them cool completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

For a fun twist, serve your cowboy beans over baked potatoes or use them as a hearty dip for tortilla chips. They’re versatile and always delicious!