Description
Enjoy a hearty and flavorful dish with these Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans. This reduced-sugar recipe combines lean ground beef, bacon, a variety of beans, and a sweet yet tangy sauce for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Units
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For the Cowboy Beans:
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 1 lb. lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 medium bell pepper, diced (any color)
- 12 ounces uncooked bacon, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 (14-ounce) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (14-ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed (may substitute kidney beans)
- 1 (14-ounce) can black eyed peas or navy beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup no-sugar-added ketchup
- 1/2 cup water or broth
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (or substitute chili powder)
- 3/4 teaspoon fine salt, plus more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, plus more to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Beef and Vegetables: In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground beef until browned. Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic; cook until onions soften.
- Prepare the Bacon: Cook chopped bacon until crispy in a separate skillet.
- Combine Ingredients: In a slow cooker, mix the cooked beef, bacon, drained beans, ketchup, maple syrup, mustard, vinegar, and seasonings.
- Cook in Slow Cooker: Set slow cooker to low and cook for 4 hours.
- Season and Serve: Adjust seasoning, garnish with parsley, and serve hot.
Notes
- You can customize this recipe by adding your favorite beans or adjusting the sweetness level to your preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
