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Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans

Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans
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Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans is a cozy, hearty, and flavorful dish combining a mix of beans with smoky bacon, robust spices, and a hint of sweetness. Easy to prepare with minimal effort, it’s perfect as a main, side, or topping and ideal for meal prep with rich, comforting flavors that improve over time.

Ingredients

Scale

Beans

  • 1 cup dried pinto beans
  • 1 cup dried kidney beans
  • 1 cup dried black beans

Meat and Aromatics

  • 6 oz bacon or smoked sausage, diced
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

Tomato and Sweeteners

  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon molasses

Sauces and Spices

  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Liquids

  • 4 cups beef broth or water

Optional Variations

  • Jalapeños or cayenne pepper for heat
  • Diced bell peppers, corn, or carrots
  • Smoked paprika and liquid smoke for vegetarian version
  • Additional brown sugar or maple syrup for sweetness

Instructions

  1. Soak and Rinse the Beans: Rinse your dried beans thoroughly, then soak them overnight in plenty of water or use a quick soak method to soften the beans and reduce cooking time. Drain and rinse before using.
  2. Prepare the Base Ingredients: In a skillet over medium heat, cook diced bacon or smoked sausage until crispy to develop a deep smoky flavor. Remove meat and sauté diced onion and minced garlic in the rendered fat until translucent and fragrant.
  3. Combine Everything in the Slow Cooker: Transfer the cooked bacon, onions, and garlic into the slow cooker. Add soaked beans, tomato sauce, tomato paste, brown sugar, molasses, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, beef broth, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
  4. Slow Cook Low and Slow: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 8 to 10 hours. Stir occasionally if possible, until beans are tender, flavors meld, and the mixture thickens to your liking.
  5. Final Taste and Adjustments: Before serving, taste and adjust seasoning by adding more salt, pepper, or Worcestershire sauce as needed to balance flavors perfectly.

Notes

  • Use a variety of beans to add complexity in texture and appearance.
  • Soaking the beans reduces cooking time and aids digestibility.
  • Cooking bacon and onions separately enhances the flavor depth for a richer base.
  • Avoid lifting the slow cooker lid frequently to maintain temperature and cooking time.
  • Adjust brown sugar and molasses quantities to customize sweetness and balance smoky flavors.
  • Canned beans can be used to speed up preparation—reduce cooking time accordingly.
  • For a vegetarian option, skip bacon and add smoked paprika plus liquid smoke for flavor.
  • Add jalapeños or cayenne pepper to spice up the dish as desired.
  • Stir beans once or twice during cooking to prevent sticking, especially near the end.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker, cowboy beans, hearty beans, smoky beans, easy bean recipe, meal prep, crockpot beans, comfort food, gluten free

Find it online: https://juliaglam.com/slow-cooker-cowboy-beans/