Description
Warm up with this irresistible bowl of Hearty Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans! A bold and comforting mix of ground beef, kidney beans, pinto beans, and great northern beans, all slow-cooked with tangy tomato sauce, smoky BBQ flavors, and a touch of sweetness. This easy recipe is perfect for busy days, potlucks, or when you just want something hearty and homemade. Whether you’re looking for a quick dinner idea, a freezer-friendly meal, or cozy food ideas to feed a crowd, this dish ticks every box. It’s one of those easy recipes that’ll quickly earn a spot in your regular rotation—no fuss, all flavor!
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (15 oz) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (15 oz) great northern beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup chopped bell pepper
1 cup chopped onion
1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup BBQ sauce
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
1. In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until browned. Drain excess fat.
2. Chop onion and bell pepper.
3. In a slow cooker, add the cooked beef, beans, chopped vegetables, tomato sauce, brown sugar, BBQ sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
4. Stir everything together until well mixed.
5. Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours.
6. Serve hot, garnished with parsley or hot sauce if desired.
Notes
For a spicy kick, add a dash of hot sauce or a chopped jalapeño before slow cooking.
This dish is even better the next day—leftovers make a delicious lunch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 9g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 45mg