Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans {Or Instant Pot!}

A delicious easy-to-make recipe for Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans that can be enjoyed as a main course or a side dish to other courses.

This is truly one of the best meals I’ve made in a long time. The flavor is wonderful and it’s truly a versatile dish. This would even be wonderful over a baked potato!

What Are Cowboy Beans?

Cowboy beans are a ground meat and beans dish. They are often enjoyed as a main course in colder months with a side of crusty garlic bread. But they can also be a hearty side dish at a summer cookout for other barbecued foods.

What’s The Difference Between Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans And Chili?

In texture, there isn’t much difference. It’s ground meat and beans, so the texture is essentially the same.

In flavor, they tend to differ. While chili can certainly be made like cowboy beans, cowboy beans usually have much heavier smoked and barbecue flavors.

Can Crock Pot Cowboy Beans Be Made In The Oven Instead?

If you happen to have a dutch oven, this is a great recipe for that! Just prep everything as mentioned in the recipe below, but you can sauté everything in the dutch oven and then just dump everything else in and bake it in the oven. While I haven’t tried it myself, I will guess that the temperature should be 400 F. and baking time will take about an hour, give or take.

Can Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans Be Made On The Stove Top Instead?

Absolutely! You may need to add a little bit of broth or water to keep things from drying out too much, and you’ll want to stir this frequently to keep things from burning on the bottom of the pot. Especially if the bottom of your pot is thinner.

What To Serve With Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans

As A Main Dish

Garnish with:

• sour cream or Greek yogurt
• sliced green onions
• tortilla chips – crushed or whole
• chopped avocado
• chopped raw onions
• grated cheese

As A Side Dish

Serve with:

• barbecued chicken
• steak
• pork chops
• baked potatoes – as a side dish or ladled over the top of your baked potato
• Grilled veggies
• Garlic bread
• Green salad

What Goes Into Cowboy Beans?

Note: I mention a few brand names in this recipe. I was not paid to promote any of them. I’m simply sharing the brands I used to make this recipe.

Ground turkey – You can also use ground beef or pork or any combination thereof.

Bacon – Cooked to package directions. Do not overcook. I used turkey bacon.

Onions – I used red onions, but yellow or white onions will work well too.

Red bell pepper – You can use any color, I just prefer the sweetness of red peppers.

Garlic cloves – Choose large cloves and either mince or press them.

Unprocessed granular sweetener – You can use Sucanat, coconut sugar, or monk fruit. I used brown xylitol because it works best for my blood sugar. It’s processed, but it’s what’s best for me. Honey or maple syrup can work too, but you’ll want to add these to taste after cooking. Maple syrup is preferable over honey in this recipe.

Canned pinto beans – No sugar added.

Canned kidney beans – No sugar added.

Canned white beans – No sugar added.

Ketchup – no sugar added. I used Primal Kitchen Ketchup, but if you can’t find any clean ketchup at the store, you can make your own at home with this ketchup recipe.

Barbecue sauce – I used Nature’s Hallow BBQ sauce. Another great brand that is clean is Bone Suckin’ Sauce (the original, not the other flavors). You can also make your own barbecue sauce using this barbecue sauce recipe here.

Yellow mustard – no sugar added.

Balsamic vinegar – No flavors or added sugar.

Smoked paprika – Regular paprika will work if that’s all you have, but you’ll miss out on that wonderful smoky flavor. Liquid smoke is an option if you don’t have smoked paprika. Add to taste after cooking.

How To Make Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans

Chop the onions and bell peppers into small pieces.

Brown the meat in a large skillet. You do not have to fully cook this. Then transfer to a holding bowl or plate.

In the same skillet, sauté the onions and bell peppers.

In the last minute of cooking, press the garlic into the veggies and cook for one minute, stirring constantly.

To your slow cooker crock or Instant Pot insert, add all three of the beans, including the liquid.

Add the barbecue sauce and ketchup.

Add the sweetener, mustard, paprika, and balsamic vinegar.

Add the sautéd veggie mix.

Chop bacon that has been cooked to just barely done.

Stir the bacon in.

Slow cook on low for 4-6 hours, or pressure cook on high pressure for 20 minutes.

Enjoy with your favorite toppings.

How To Make Instant Pot Cowboy Beans

Follow all the directions in the recipe, but instead of placing everything into a slow cooker, you’ll put it into your Instant Pot. Cook at high pressure for 20 minutes.

More Healthy Bean Recipes

• Buttered Black Beans
• Pork And Beans
• Cowboy Caviar

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Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans Recipe Card + Video