Description
These Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans are a hearty and flavorful dish perfect for a crowd. Packed with lean ground beef, bacon, and a variety of beans, this reduced-sugar version is a comforting and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Cowboy Beans:
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 1 lb. lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 medium bell pepper, diced (any color)
- 12 ounces uncooked bacon, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 (14-ounce) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (14-ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed (may substitute kidney beans)
- 1 (14-ounce) can black eyed peas or navy beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup no-sugar-added ketchup
- 1/2 cup water or broth
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (or substitute chili powder)
- 3/4 teaspoon fine salt, plus more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, plus more to taste
Optional for serving:
- Chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cook the Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef with onion, bell pepper, and garlic until beef is no longer pink and onions start to soften.
- Prepare the Bacon: Cook chopped bacon until crispy, then drain excess fat on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Combine Ingredients: In a slow cooker, mix cooked beef, bacon, drained beans, ketchup, maple syrup, mustard, vinegar, seasonings, and water. Stir well.
- Cook in Slow Cooker: Set the slow cooker to low and cook for 4 hours (or on high for 2 hours).
- Final Touches: Before serving, adjust seasoning as needed, and garnish with fresh parsley.
Notes
- This recipe can be easily customized with additional spices or hot sauce for extra heat.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
