Name: Cowboy Baked Beans Recipe
Ingredients: 2 x 28 ounce cans baked beans: The foundation of our dish! We’re using pre-made baked beans for convenience and to jumpstart the flavor profile. The original B&M baked beans are specifically recommended and work wonderfully, offering a traditional base flavor that complements the other ingredients beautifully. You could experiment with other brands, but B&M provides a consistent texture and sweetness that is ideal for this recipe. Importantly, we use the beans undrained, as the liquid is part of the flavorful base.; ½ large sweet onion, diced (Vidalia or other sweet onion): Sweet onion is key here. Vidalia onions, or any other variety labeled as sweet, offer a milder, less pungent onion flavor that caramelizes beautifully during baking. The diced onion provides a subtle sweetness and textural contrast to the soft beans, creating a more complex and interesting bite. Don’t be tempted to use a yellow or white onion; the sweetness of the Vidalia or similar variety is vital for the overall flavor balance in this dish.; 1 large bell pepper, finely diced (yellow, red, orange, or green): Bell peppers add a touch of freshness, color, and a slightly sweet vegetal note. Yellow bell peppers were used in the original recipe, but feel free to use any color you prefer. Red bell peppers will bring a bit more sweetness, while green peppers offer a slightly more assertive, grassy flavor. Finely dicing the bell pepper ensures it cooks through evenly and blends seamlessly into the bean mixture.; ½ lb bacon, uncooked, chopped into pieces (uncured, nitrate/nitrite-free recommended): Bacon is the heart and soul of Cowboy Beans, lending its smoky, savory, and undeniably delicious flavor. Uncooked bacon is essential as it renders its fat during baking, infusing the entire dish with its rich essence. Chopping it into bite-sized pieces ensures it crisps up beautifully on top and provides delicious bacon bits throughout the beans. Opting for uncured, nitrate/nitrite-free bacon is a healthier choice without sacrificing flavor. The bacon fat is a crucial flavor component, so don’t drain it off!; 8 oz tomato sauce (1 cup or ½ – 15 oz can), organic recommended: Tomato sauce provides the rich, tomato-based foundation of the sauce. Organic tomato sauce is recommended for its cleaner flavor and lack of additives, but any good quality tomato sauce will work. It adds depth and acidity to balance the sweetness of the molasses and ketchup.; 1 cup Ketchup, organic recommended: Ketchup adds sweetness, tanginess, and a familiar tomato flavor that complements the other sauce ingredients. Again, organic ketchup is a great option for better flavor and fewer artificial ingredients. The ketchup contributes to the classic baked bean flavor profile we all know and love.; ½ cup molasses, unsulphured: Molasses is the secret ingredient that elevates these beans from ordinary to extraordinary. Unsulphured molasses offers a rich, dark, and slightly bitter-sweet flavor with notes of caramel and roasted sugar. It adds depth, complexity, and a distinctive “cowboy” flavor that you simply can’t replicate with sugar alone. Don’t skip the molasses; it’s what truly makes these beans special.; ¼ cup apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar): Vinegar is crucial for balancing the sweetness of the molasses and ketchup. Apple cider vinegar adds a subtle fruity tang that complements the other flavors beautifully. White vinegar can be used as a substitute, providing a sharper acidity. The vinegar cuts through the richness and prevents the beans from becoming overly sweet.; ⅛ cup spicy brown mustard, heaping: Spicy brown mustard brings a welcome kick of heat and a complex, robust mustard flavor. The “heaping” measurement ensures you get a good amount of mustard flavor. The spice level is mild and adds warmth without being overpowering.; ⅛ cup yellow mustard, heaping (or rounded ⅓ cup if using only yellow mustard): Yellow mustard adds a classic mustard tang and a milder flavor profile compared to spicy brown mustard. Using both mustards creates a more balanced and nuanced mustard flavor. If you only have yellow mustard, you can increase the amount to a rounded ⅓ cup to achieve a similar level of mustard flavor.; 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce: Worcestershire sauce is a flavor bomb, packed with umami, tanginess, and a hint of spice. It adds a depth of savory flavor that enhances the overall complexity of the sauce. Just a couple of tablespoons is enough to make a significant difference.; 1 teaspoon garlic powder: Garlic powder provides a subtle, savory garlic flavor that blends seamlessly into the sauce. It’s a convenient way to add garlic without the need for fresh cloves.; 1 teaspoon onion powder: Onion powder complements the fresh diced onion and further enhances the savory depth of the sauce. It adds a concentrated onion flavor that rounds out the overall taste profile.; Dash Cayenne Pepper (more if you like heat): Cayenne pepper provides a subtle warmth and a touch of spice. A “dash” is just a pinch, offering a gentle heat that doesn’t overwhelm the other flavors. If you prefer spicier beans, feel free to add more cayenne pepper to your liking.; Pinch Kosher Salt: Salt is essential for enhancing all the flavors and balancing the sweetness. Kosher salt is recommended for its clean taste and ease of use. Start with a pinch and adjust to taste at the end.; Black Pepper, a couple of grinds of fresh pepper: Freshly ground black pepper adds a subtle peppery bite and aromatic complexity. A couple of grinds is enough to provide a gentle warmth and enhance the overall flavor profile.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Beans:

2 x 28 ounce cans baked beans: The foundation of our dish! We’re using pre-made baked beans for convenience and to jumpstart the flavor profile. The original B&M baked beans are specifically recommended and work wonderfully, offering a traditional base flavor that complements the other ingredients beautifully. You could experiment with other brands, but B&M provides a consistent texture and sweetness that is ideal for this recipe. Importantly, we use the beans undrained, as the liquid is part of the flavorful base.

½ large sweet onion, diced (Vidalia or other sweet onion): Sweet onion is key here. Vidalia onions, or any other variety labeled as sweet, offer a milder, less pungent onion flavor that caramelizes beautifully during baking. The diced onion provides a subtle sweetness and textural contrast to the soft beans, creating a more complex and interesting bite. Don’t be tempted to use a yellow or white onion; the sweetness of the Vidalia or similar variety is vital for the overall flavor balance in this dish.

1 large bell pepper, finely diced (yellow, red, orange, or green): Bell peppers add a touch of freshness, color, and a slightly sweet vegetal note. Yellow bell peppers were used in the original recipe, but feel free to use any color you prefer. Red bell peppers will bring a bit more sweetness, while green peppers offer a slightly more assertive, grassy flavor. Finely dicing the bell pepper ensures it cooks through evenly and blends seamlessly into the bean mixture.

½ lb bacon, uncooked, chopped into pieces (uncured, nitrate/nitrite-free recommended): Bacon is the heart and soul of Cowboy Beans, lending its smoky, savory, and undeniably delicious flavor. Uncooked bacon is essential as it renders its fat during baking, infusing the entire dish with its rich essence. Chopping it into bite-sized pieces ensures it crisps up beautifully on top and provides delicious bacon bits throughout the beans. Opting for uncured, nitrate/nitrite-free bacon is a healthier choice without sacrificing flavor. The bacon fat is a crucial flavor component, so don’t drain it off!

For the Sauce:

8 oz tomato sauce (1 cup or ½ – 15 oz can), organic recommended: Tomato sauce provides the rich, tomato-based foundation of the sauce. Organic tomato sauce is recommended for its cleaner flavor and lack of additives, but any good quality tomato sauce will work. It adds depth and acidity to balance the sweetness of the molasses and ketchup.

1 cup Ketchup, organic recommended: Ketchup adds sweetness, tanginess, and a familiar tomato flavor that complements the other sauce ingredients. Again, organic ketchup is a great option for better flavor and fewer artificial ingredients. The ketchup contributes to the classic baked bean flavor profile we all know and love.

½ cup molasses, unsulphured: Molasses is the secret ingredient that elevates these beans from ordinary to extraordinary. Unsulphured molasses offers a rich, dark, and slightly bitter-sweet flavor with notes of caramel and roasted sugar. It adds depth, complexity, and a distinctive “cowboy” flavor that you simply can’t replicate with sugar alone. Don’t skip the molasses; it’s what truly makes these beans special.

¼ cup apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar): Vinegar is crucial for balancing the sweetness of the molasses and ketchup. Apple cider vinegar adds a subtle fruity tang that complements the other flavors beautifully. White vinegar can be used as a substitute, providing a sharper acidity. The vinegar cuts through the richness and prevents the beans from becoming overly sweet.

⅛ cup spicy brown mustard, heaping: Spicy brown mustard brings a welcome kick of heat and a complex, robust mustard flavor. The “heaping” measurement ensures you get a good amount of mustard flavor. The spice level is mild and adds warmth without being overpowering.

⅛ cup yellow mustard, heaping (or rounded ⅓ cup if using only yellow mustard): Yellow mustard adds a classic mustard tang and a milder flavor profile compared to spicy brown mustard. Using both mustards creates a more balanced and nuanced mustard flavor. If you only have yellow mustard, you can increase the amount to a rounded ⅓ cup to achieve a similar level of mustard flavor.

2 Tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce: Worcestershire sauce is a flavor bomb, packed with umami, tanginess, and a hint of spice. It adds a depth of savory flavor that enhances the overall complexity of the sauce. Just a couple of tablespoons is enough to make a significant difference.

1 teaspoon garlic powder: Garlic powder provides a subtle, savory garlic flavor that blends seamlessly into the sauce. It’s a convenient way to add garlic without the need for fresh cloves.

1 teaspoon onion powder: Onion powder complements the fresh diced onion and further enhances the savory depth of the sauce. It adds a concentrated onion flavor that rounds out the overall taste profile.

Dash Cayenne Pepper (more if you like heat): Cayenne pepper provides a subtle warmth and a touch of spice. A “dash” is just a pinch, offering a gentle heat that doesn’t overwhelm the other flavors. If you prefer spicier beans, feel free to add more cayenne pepper to your liking.

Pinch Kosher Salt: Salt is essential for enhancing all the flavors and balancing the sweetness. Kosher salt is recommended for its clean taste and ease of use. Start with a pinch and adjust to taste at the end.

Black Pepper, a couple of grinds of fresh pepper: Freshly ground black pepper adds a subtle peppery bite and aromatic complexity. A couple of grinds is enough to provide a gentle warmth and enhance the overall flavor profile.

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Instructions

Preheat Your Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is crucial for even baking and ensuring the beans cook through properly without burning. Preheating ensures the oven is at the correct temperature when you place the beans inside, allowing for consistent cooking throughout the baking process.

Combine the Sauce Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add all the sauce ingredients: tomato sauce, ketchup, molasses, apple cider vinegar, spicy brown mustard, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, kosher salt, and black pepper. Use a whisk or a large spoon to stir everything together until well combined. Whisking is particularly helpful to ensure the molasses is fully incorporated and the sauce is smooth and homogenous. Taste the sauce at this stage and adjust seasonings to your preference. If you like it sweeter, add a touch more ketchup or molasses. If you prefer more tang, add a splash more vinegar.

Incorporate the Beans, Onion, and Bell Pepper: Add the two 28-ounce cans of baked beans (undrained) to the bowl with the sauce. Then, add the diced sweet onion and diced bell pepper. Using a large spoon or spatula, gently stir to combine all the ingredients, ensuring the beans are evenly coated in the flavorful sauce and the vegetables are distributed throughout. Be careful not to mash the beans too much while stirring.

Transfer to a Baking Dish: Pour the bean mixture into a 9×13 inch casserole baking dish. A 9×13 dish provides ample surface area for even baking and allows for the bacon topping to crisp up nicely. If you don’t have a 9×13 dish, a slightly smaller or larger casserole dish will also work, just adjust the baking time accordingly.

Prepare and Add the Bacon Topping: Dice the ½ lb of uncooked bacon into small, bite-sized pieces. Evenly distribute the diced bacon over the top of the bean mixture in the baking dish. There’s no need to arrange it prettily; simply scatter it across the surface. Spreading it out ensures that the bacon pieces will get crispy during baking. As the beans bake, the bacon fat will render down and infuse even more flavor into the dish.

Bake to Perfection: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 1 ½ to 2 hours, or until the beans are bubbly around the edges and the bacon is crispy and golden brown. The baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven and the depth of your baking dish. Start checking for doneness at 1 ½ hours. The beans should be heated through, bubbly, and the sauce should have thickened slightly.

Broil for Extra Crispy Bacon (Optional): If you desire even crispier bacon, once the beans are done baking, carefully move the baking dish to the middle rack of your oven and broil for 2-3 minutes, or until the bacon reaches your desired level of crispness. Watch closely while broiling as bacon can burn quickly. Broiling is an optional step but can add a delightful textural contrast with extra crispy bacon bits.

Rest and Serve: Once the beans are baked to your liking, remove the baking dish from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before serving. Resting allows the beans to thicken slightly and the flavors to meld together even further. Serve the Cowboy Baked Beans warm as a hearty and flavorful side dish.

Nutrition

Serving Size: One Normal Portion
Calories: 225 kcal