Description
Get ready for a bold, flavor-packed dish that’s perfect for everything from easy dinner nights to hearty game day meals. These Hearty Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans are a rustic blend of seasoned ground beef, tender beans, and tangy tomato goodness slow-simmered to perfection. It’s a quick dinner idea that’s hands-off, crowd-pleasing, and deeply satisfying. This easy recipe also doubles beautifully for potlucks, BBQs, and meal prepping — making it a versatile addition to your go-to food ideas for the week. Whether you’re after a healthy snack or dinner ideas for busy days, cowboy beans have your back.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
1 medium onion, diced
1 bell pepper, diced (yellow or red)
2 cloves garlic, minced
15 oz can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
15 oz can white beans, drained and rinsed
15 oz can pinto or black beans, drained and rinsed
15 oz can diced tomatoes, with juices
8 oz can tomato sauce
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tbsp yellow mustard
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp black pepper
Salt to taste
1 tbsp barbecue sauce or liquid smoke (optional)
Instructions
1. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain excess fat.
2. Add diced onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic. Cook for 3–4 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
3. Transfer the beef and veggie mixture into a slow cooker.
4. Add the kidney beans, white beans, and pinto or black beans.
5. Pour in diced tomatoes with juices and tomato sauce.
6. Stir in ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire, smoked paprika, chili powder, black pepper, and salt. Add barbecue sauce or liquid smoke if using.
7. Mix well and set the slow cooker to LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours.
8. Stir occasionally and taste at the end to adjust seasoning.
9. Serve hot with cornbread, rice, or salad. Optional toppings: shredded cheese or sour cream.
Notes
You can swap the beans based on what you have — navy, black, or chili beans all work well.
Browning the beef and sautéing veggies adds deep, rich flavor.
Leftovers taste even better the next day and freeze well for later meals.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6–7 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 9g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 55mg