Description
Slow Cooker Steakhouse Cowboy Baked Beans are a hearty, flavorful side dish featuring ground beef, crispy bacon, three types of beans, and a rich blend of barbecue sauce and spices, all slow-cooked to perfection. This comforting recipe is perfect for a steakhouse-style meal or as a standalone main course served with cornbread or rice.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat & Aromatics
- 1 pound ground beef
- 4 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Beans
- 2 cans (15 oz each) pork and beans, undrained
- 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
Sauces & Seasonings
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
Instructions
- Cook the Bacon: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon and set aside, leaving the bacon grease in the skillet.
- Brown the Beef and Onion: Add the ground beef and diced onion to the skillet with the bacon grease. Cook until the beef is browned and the onion has softened, stirring occasionally.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Transfer to Slow Cooker: Transfer the cooked beef mixture to the slow cooker.
- Add Beans and Sauces: Add the pork and beans (with liquid), kidney beans, black beans, barbecue sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, black pepper, and chili powder. Stir everything well to combine.
- Top with Bacon: Sprinkle the cooked crispy bacon evenly over the top of the bean mixture.
- Slow Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the beans are thick and bubbly. Stir before serving.
Notes
- For a smoky kick, use chipotle barbecue sauce or add a dash of liquid smoke.
- These beans make a great side dish or a hearty main course.
- Serve with warm cornbread or over cooked rice for a full meal.
- To ensure gluten-free, use gluten-free labeled barbecue sauce and ketchup.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
