Calico Beans

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Hearty calico beans can be a delicious BBQ side dish or even a meal on their own. Loaded with ground beef, bacon and lots of different beans, this is a protein-packed dish that is a treat for the taste buds.

*Disclaimer – This recipe was originally published in 2014. I’m working hard to update all my older recipes with recipe cards, new photos, and additional recipe information. But, getting to all of them will take time. Please bear with me. In the meantime let me assure you that this recipe is still a winner and one I’m sure you’ll be well pleased with when you make it at home.

It was Mary that shared her recipe for baked beans with me and every time I make them, I think fondly of her. 

She has since passed away and yet I hold her dear in my heart for many different reasons, but mostly for this wonderful and hearty baked bean dish that brings her immediately 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. 🙂

CALICO BEANS     {PRINT THIS RECIPE}

1 pound bacon, cut into 1″ strips
1 pound ground beef
2 medium red onions, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 – 15 oz. can butter beans, drained
1 – 15 oz. can pinto beans, drained
1 – 15 oz. can light kidney beans, drained
1 – 15 oz. can black beans, drained
1 – 15 oz. can cannellini beans, drained
1 – 28 oz. can pork and beans, with their liquid
1 cup ketchup
1/4 cup prepared yellow mustard
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon liquid smoke
2 teaspoons smoked cumin
2 teaspoons smoked paprika

-Cook and crisp the bacon in a large dutch oven over medium-high heat.  Remove the bacon to drain on paper towels.  Discard all but 1 tablespoon of the bacon fat and brown the ground beef in the same pot.
-Meanwhile, chop the red onion and mince the garlic.
-When the beef is 50% browned, add the onion and garlic to the pot and continue browning the beef until completely cooked.
-Add the bacon and stir to combine.
-Drain all the cans of beans (except the pork and beans) and add them to the beef and bacon mixture.
-Stir well to combine and add the remainder of ingredients.
-Mix well and simmer on low heat until completely heated through. 
-Cover and transfer the pot (making sure it’s oven proof) into a preheated 350-degree oven and bake for 45 minutes.  
-Cool slightly and serve.

 
Grab your spoon and dig in.

These beans are a little bit sweet, a little bit smokey and a whole lot of hearty. 

They can, and have been over the years, been a meal all by themselves.