Description

Looking for a warm, hearty meal that practically cooks itself? These Hearty Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans are just what you need. Packed with ground beef, three types of beans, bell peppers, tomatoes, and a rich, smoky barbecue sauce, this dish is the perfect blend of sweet, savory, and tangy. Whether you’re prepping a quick dinner, bringing a comforting potluck dish, or stocking up on easy meal prep ideas, this easy recipe delivers bold flavor with minimal effort. A standout choice for dinner ideas, hearty food ideas, or a no-fuss slow cooker meal.

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped

1 bell pepper, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

15 ounces kidney beans, drained and rinsed

15 ounces pinto beans, drained and rinsed

15 ounces great northern beans, drained and rinsed

15 ounces baked beans (do not drain)

14.5 ounces diced tomatoes with juice

1/2 cup barbecue sauce

1/4 cup ketchup

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon yellow mustard

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Salt to taste

Optional: pinch red pepper flakes or hot sauce

Instructions

1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil and cook the ground beef until browned, about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess fat.

2. In the same skillet, sauté chopped onion and diced bell pepper for 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds more.

3. Transfer beef and vegetables to the slow cooker. Add all beans (except baked beans, which are added with their liquid) and diced tomatoes.

4. Stir in barbecue sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, paprika, pepper, and salt. Mix well.

5. Cover and cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours. Stir occasionally if possible.

6. Taste and adjust seasoning before serving. Add hot sauce for extra heat, if desired.

Notes

You can easily substitute the ground beef with turkey or a plant-based meat alternative.

For thicker beans, cook uncovered for the last 30 minutes or mash some beans to thicken naturally.

These beans taste even better the next day, making them perfect for meal prep or leftovers.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 370
Sugar: 12g
Sodium: 680mg
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 35g
Fiber: 8g
Protein: 20g
Cholesterol: 45mg

Keywords: cowboy beans, slow cooker beans, hearty dinner, BBQ side dish, easy crockpot recipe