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Everyone Says My “Cowboy Beans” Are 100x Better Than Baked Beans

Andrea Rivera WawrzynAssociate Food Editor
Andrea Rivera WawrzynAssociate Food Editor
I have worked in the food industry for 15 years as a chef, recipe developer, writer, and editor. Prior to joining The Kitchn, I was an Associate Editor at America’s Test Kitchen, a contributor to Serious Eats, and worked on cookbooks for Ten Speed Press, Rebel Girls, and Clarkson Potter.
published Jun 9, 2025
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overhead shot of cowboy beans in a large dutch oven with a wooden spoon stirring the beans.
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: James Park

There is a low-stakes disagreement at my house whenever there is BBQ to be had, and it’s over sides. I live in New England, where one of the staple sides for any barbecue spread is a big ol’ heap of classic baked beans. I cannot abide a sweet bean, and therefore always try to omit them from the menu. 

Imagine my delight when I discovered the superb blend of sweet and savory that is cowboy beans. Cowboy beans are a hearty bean dish made with a mix of beans, ground beef, bacon, barbecue sauce, and sugar. The result is a shockingly well-balanced side that’s welcome at any barbecue meal I’m attending.

Get the recipe: Cowboy Beans

Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: James Park

What Makes Cowboy Beans So Good

These beans walk the tricky tightrope of sweetness versus savoriness well. The sweetness comes from brown sugar (but not too much), barbecue sauce, and ketchup. That complex sweet flavor blends seamlessly into a foundation of big savory flavor from beef, bacon, chili powder, and the beans themselves. Everything works together to create a deeply flavorful, complex stew that’s made with mostly pantry-friendly ingredients. 

While these beans make a great alternative to baked beans as a side dish, they’re also hearty enough — from the addition of ground beef and bacon — to serve as a main. They’re a great stand-in for classic chili, especially if you’re a lover of barbecue sauce. It comes together in just over an hour, making it a great candidate for a weeknight dinner. 

Tips for Making Cowboy Beans 

  • Turn the heat up or down. This recipe includes optional cayenne pepper for a little hit of spice, but if you’re a spice-lover like me, you can always add more, substitute hot chili powder for mild, or experiment with adding other types of powdered chiles like chipotle or ancho. You can also nix it entirely, if spice isn’t your thing.
  • Experiment with barbecue sauce. You can really amp up the level of smokiness, sweetness, or tang by using different types of barbecue sauce in this recipe. 

Get the recipe:  Cowboy Beans

This article originally published on The Kitchn. See it there: Everyone Says My “Cowboy Beans” Are 100x Better Than Baked Beans

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