Calico Baked Beans can be a delicious BBQ side dish or even a meal on their own. Loaded with ground beef, bacon, and a variety of beans. This is a protein-packed dish that's a treat for the taste buds.
Other BBQ sides you'll need to complete your summertime meals are my Copycat Sunflower Crunch Kale and Cabbage Salad, Golden Dijon Potato Salad, and the ever popular Old-Fashioned Red Bean Salad.
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Table of Contents Found Here
Ingredients for making calico baked beans:
*Please note that the exact measurements along with a "shop the recipe" feature from Instacart and Walmart is available inside the printable recipe card.
Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
- strainer
- can opener
- Dutch Oven with lid
- wooden spoon
- chef's knife
- cutting board
- measuring cups and spoons
- oven gloves
- garlic press
- slotted spatula
How this recipe came to be:
Mary (a co-worker of mine when I was a young girl in the 1970s) shared her recipe for calico baked beans with me. Every time I make them, I think fondly of her.
Mary has since passed away, but I hold her dear in my heart for many reasons, but first and foremost, for this delicious, hearty baked bean dish. Whenever I make calico beans with ground beef and bacon, they immediately bring Mary back into my life.
Thank you, Mary. I miss you to this day and am blessed to have had you in my life for that short period of time.
Your recipe may have changed a bit over the years, but your memory hasn't. 🙂
Why this recipe works:
- It's easy to make.
- It has a wonderful hearty texture.
- It uses canned beans which is quick and easy.
- The balance of ingredients is perfection.
- Calico beans can be eaten as a side dish or a main course.
- It's a protein packed powerhouse.
- Everyone loves them!
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Can these baked beans be frozen?
You bet!
Store them in an airtight freezer container or bag for up to 4 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight and reheat them on a medium/low stovetop or in a microwave on medium power (stirring frequently) until hot.
How to make the best baked beans using canned beans:
- Brown ground beef in a Dutch oven. Add minced garlic, onion, and cooked bacon to the pot with the beef. Season with salt and pepper.
- Once the beef is fully browned, add the drained beans along with the condiments and seasonings. Stir to combine.
- Add the pot to the oven to bake (covered) at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.
- It's time to eat!
Grab your spoon and dig in.
These beans are a little bit sweet, a little bit smoky, and a whole lot of hearty.
Make it a full meal:
My recipe for Slow-Roasted Baby Back Ribs may be slightly unconventional, but the flavor is outstanding and tenderness of these ribs are out of this world. They can be made inside in the oven or outside on the grill.
Copycat Sunflower Crunch Kale and Cabbage Salad is as pretty as it is delicious. Filled with healthy ingredients, this is the salad everyone gravitates to every single time it's on the table.
Don't let the name Zucchini Oatmeal Cookies with Chocolate Covered Raisins scare you away from these delicious cookies. They are soft and chewy with delicious oatmeal and chocolaty goodness. Even those who aren't that keen on zucchini or raisins will enjoy the wonderful flavor of these cookies.
When you make today's recipe (and I hope that you will), I'd appreciate it if you'd take the time to come back and give it a star rating along with a comment on why you rated as you did.
Search engines such as Google appreciate comments and ratings and, in turn, will show my recipes to more people. Please look for the pink star rating box within the printable recipe card. Thank you!!
Printable Recipe Card
Calico Baked Beans with Beef and Bacon
Equipment
- garlic press optional
- kitchen timer optional
Ingredients
- 1 pound bacon cut into 1" strips
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1½ teaspoons kosher salt divided
- 1 teaspoon black pepper divided
- 2 medium (1 cup) red onions chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 can (15 ounces) butter beans drained
- 1 can (15 ounces) pinto beans drained
- 1 can (15 ounces) light kidney beans drained
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans drained
- 1 can (15 ounces) cannellini beans drained
- 1 can (28 ounces) pork and beans not drained
- 1 cup ketchup
- ¼ cup prepared yellow mustard
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon liquid smoke
- 2 teaspoons smoked cumin
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees Celsius).
- Cook and crisp the bacon in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Remove the bacon and drain it on paper towels, reserving one tablespoon of bacon fat in the pot.
- Add the ground beef, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper to the pot and brown the beef in the reserved bacon fat.
- When the beef is 50% browned, add the onion and garlic to the pot and continue browning the beef until thoroughly cooked.
- Add the cooked bacon back into the pot along with the drained canned beans (including and the pork and beans, with their liquid) and stir well.
- Add the remaining ingredients; ketchup, mustard, vinegar, brown sugar, liquid smoke, smoked paprika, smoked cumin, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix well and simmer on low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
- Cover and transfer the pot to the preheated 350-degree F oven (175 degrees Celsius), and bake for 45 minutes.
- Cool slightly and serve hot.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
I sincerely hope you'll enjoy today's delicious baked bean recipe as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you.
Should you have any questions or comments regarding anything you've seen on my site, please don't hesitate to reach out to contact me. It is always my distinct pleasure to get back with you just as soon as I possibly can!
Thank you so much for visiting me today in my Kudos Kitchen. I hope you found something you'll love and that you will come back and visit me often. Please know that there is always room for you around my kitchen table!
Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!
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