These bacon BBQ calico beans are the perfect summer cookout side dish. This dish is packed full of 4 different beans, bacon, ground beef, and BBQ sauce.
Calico beans, also known as “Cowboy beans,” are a popular American dish containing a flavorful mixture of beans, ground meat, and other ingredients.
The name “calico” refers to the dish’s variety of colors, which resemble the patches of a calico cat.
For this recipe, I used four different types of beans: canned baked beans, lima (butter) beans, kidney beans, and chickpeas.
This dish is sort of like traditional baked beans but meaty. Or maybe sloppy joes meets baked beans.
Oh, and because this dish is made with beans it’s a great source of protein, potassium, calcium, and vitamin c!
It’s great as a main course or as a side to air fryer hot dogs, hamburgers, or grilled chicken.
Table of Contents
Ingredients for calico beans
- Lean ground beef – I like to use 96/4 ground beef if I can find it.
- Thick-sliced bacon – Use thick bacon to add that smoked flavor. I’m using about 4 ounces bacon.
- Yellow onion
- Garlic
- Canned baked beans
- Lima beans – also called butter beans.
- Kidney beans
- Chickpeas
- Fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- BBQ sauce – I typically use Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauce.
- Molasses
- Dark brown sugar
- Dijon mustard
- Green onions – for topping.
How to make calico beans on the stovetop
For this recipe, I did it on the stovetop because that is the way my family makes it. It’s as simple as cooking the meat, draining off the fat, adding the rest of the ingredients, and letting it simmer until hot and bubbly.
This a great option for making calico beans quickly and only dirtying one pot.
For this option, I would use a large Dutch oven.
How to make calico beans in the oven
To make cowboy beans in the oven, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and spray a 9×13 pan with non-stick cooking spray.
Follow the written directions for cooking and draining your meat, and stir in the beans and other ingredients.
Add the mixture to your prepared baking dish, cover with foil, and bake for 45 minutes, until hot and bubbly.
How to make calico beans in the slow cooker
Using the slow cooker for your beans is a great way to bring them to a potluck or family BBQ.
Follow the steps as if you’re making them on the stovetop, but instead of simmering the beans for the final step, add them to the slow cooker.
Cook on high for 2-4 hours or low heat for 4-6 hours.
Butter beans vs. lima beans
If you can’t find lima bean but only find butter, you’re in luck! They are the same thing!
Both terms can be used interchangeably, so don’t fret if you can find one but not the other.
Using different beans
I know it’s a biased option, but I think this current bean mix is the best for this dish. However, one of the great joys of a recipe like this is that you can add whatever beans you have on hand!
Try using:
- black beans
- great northern beans
- pinto beans
Using different ground proteins
I like to use lean ground beef for this calico beans recipe – typically 90/10 or leaner.
If you’re looking to shake things up, here are a few great options:
- Ground pork, turkey, or chicken are delicious lean options that can easily stand in for ground beef.
- Use ground spicy Italian sausage if you’re looking for flavor-packed meat with a little heat.
- To make this dish vegetarian, use ground Impossible “meat” and ensure that your added baked beans are meat-free.
Small changes and additions
We talked over in detail about using different beans and proteins, but what about making some changes to the recipe?
Here are a few popular additions to calico beans:
- Add a splash of apple cider or white vinegar for a hint of acid.
- A drop of liquid smoke will bring in an even bigger smokey flavor.
- Drizzle in 1/4 cup ketchup for added tomato flavor.
What to serve with cowboy beans?
While this dish can 100% be a main course, it also makes an awesome summertime side dish.
Here are a few recipes that I think would pair perfectly with these baked beans:
- Honey Spiced Glazed Chicken
- Grilled Sourdough Panzanella Salad
- Air Fryer Hot Dogs
- BBQ Pineapple Burger
Storage and leftovers
You can easily store your leftover calico beans in your refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
To reheat, add to a bowl, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in the microwave.
More bean recipes
BBQ Bacon Calico Beans
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 4 slices thick bacon diced
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 28 ounce can baked beans
- 1 can butter or lima beans drained and rinsed
- 1 can kidney beans drained and rinsed
- 1 can chickpeas drained and rinsed
- 1 14.5 ounce diced fire roasted tomatoes
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon molasses
- Green onions chopped (for topping, optional)
Instructions
- In a large skillet add ground beef, bacon, and onion.
- Cook over medium-high heat until the meat is browned and the bacon just starts to brown.
- Add the garlic and saute for 1 more minute.
- Drain any excess fat.
- Add in baked beans, lima beans, kidney beans, garbanzo beans, diced tomatoes, BBQ sauce, brown sugar, dijon mustard, and molasses.
- Stir to combine and simmer on medium-low heat for 30 minutes.
- Enjoy as a side dish or a main course.
Notes
- At a minimum, I like 90/10 ground beef or leaner.
- You can use ground turkey, ground beef, or even ground pork in place of ground beef.
- Try using spicy Italian sausage in place for extra heat and zing.
Nutrition
Karin
Wednesday 2nd of July 2014
Can the beans cook in a slow-cooker? I've been trying to use mine as much as possible lately.
nutmegnanny
Thursday 3rd of July 2014
Hi Karen! I think if you browned the meat and onion in a pan and poured the rest of the ingredients in the slow cooker it would turn out fine. I would turn the heat to low and let it warm for a few hours. Since I have never done it in the slow cooker this is all an estimate but I don't see why it wouldn't work. If you give it a try let me know :)
Joanne
Sunday 29th of June 2014
That watermelon beer is one of my favorites!! It's CRAZY how much it tastes like watermelon. So refreshing!
Baked beans feel like a summer happy food. Hearty and feel-good are what these are!
grace
Thursday 26th of June 2014
i have a recipe like this except there's no beef in it and it's just a side dish. i like the idea of adding more meat and making it the entree!
Kim Beaulieu
Wednesday 25th of June 2014
You had me at BBQ and you sealed it with beans. I love any form of beans. This looks amazing.
Angie | Big Bear's Wife
Tuesday 24th of June 2014
I wish I had a HUGE bowl of these now!