Description
These Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans are hearty, smoky, and packed with flavor. Perfect for BBQs, potlucks, or cozy weeknight dinners, this dish combines tender pinto beans, savory ground beef, and a touch of sweetness from molasses for a comforting meal that practically cooks itself.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound dried pinto beans, soaked overnight and drained
- 1 pound ground beef (85/15 lean-to-fat ratio)
- 1 large yellow onion, diced (about 2 cups)
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 jalapeños, seeds removed and finely chopped (optional for less heat)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 4 cups beef broth (low sodium recommended)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Brown the Meat and Aromatics: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon until no pink remains (about 5–7 minutes). Add onions, bell pepper, and jalapeños; sauté until softened (about 4 minutes). Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to caramelize slightly.
- Transfer to Slow Cooker: Transfer the meat mixture to your slow cooker. Add soaked and drained pinto beans, diced tomatoes with green chilies, beef broth, brown sugar, molasses, and all seasonings (chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, bay leaf). Stir well to combine.
- Cook Low and Slow: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 5 hours, until the beans are tender but still hold their shape.
- Final Seasoning: About 30 minutes before serving, check the consistency. If too soupy, leave the lid off to reduce liquid. If too thick, add a splash of broth. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve: Remove the bay leaf. Ladle the beans into bowls and garnish with fresh cilantro.
Notes
Substitutions: Use black beans or navy beans instead of pintos, ground turkey for beef, red bell pepper for green, maple syrup for molasses, or vegetable broth for a vegetarian version (omit beef). Beans absorb salt as they cook, so season toward the end.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours (low) or 5 hours (high)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: slow cooker cowboy beans, bbq beans recipe, hearty bean dish, easy slow cooker meal