Calico Beans Recipe
Calico Beans Recipe
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Calico Beans Recipe
This Calico Beans recipe is a flavorful and hearty dish that’s perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or weeknight dinners. Packed with a variety of beans, smoky bacon, and a sweet and savory sauce, it’s sure to satisfy even the hungriest of appetites. Easy to make and loved by everyone, this recipe will quickly become a staple in your recipe collection.
Description
Calico beans recipe, a delightful and comforting dish, is a flavorful mix of beans, ground beef, and bacon, all simmered in a sweet and savory sauce. This Calico beans recipe is perfect for serving a crowd, whether it’s for a family dinner or a large potluck. The layers of flavor and hearty ingredients will warm your heart and fill your stomach. Plus, it’s a budget friendly option that doesn’t compromise on taste.
What makes Calico beans recipe so special is the combination of different beans typically kidney beans, pinto beans, and baked beans which gives the dish its unique “calico” appearance. Each type of bean adds its own texture and flavor to the mix, making every bite a satisfying experience. The ground beef adds a savory richness, while the bacon contributes a smoky, crispy crunch. The sauce, made from a sweet and tangy mix of brown sugar, ketchup, and vinegar, ties everything together beautifully.
This recipe is simple to prepare, requiring just a few basic ingredients and a short cook time. You can make it in a slow cooker, on the stove, or even in the oven, depending on your preference. The beauty of Calico Beans lies in its versatility; you can tweak the ingredients to suit your taste, adding more or less sugar for sweetness, or experimenting with different types of beans or meats.
The Calico Beans recipe can be served as a side dish or as a main course. If you want to make it even heartier, consider serving it with cornbread or a side salad. It’s an ideal dish for colder months, bringing warmth and comfort to any meal. The leftovers also keep well in the fridge and taste even better the next day when the flavors have had more time to meld together.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 lb bacon, chopped
- 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) baked beans
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- 1/2 cup water (or more for desired consistency)
Instructions
- Cook the Ground Beef and Bacon:
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned, breaking it up into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Remove the beef from the skillet and set it aside. In the same skillet, cook the chopped bacon until crispy, then remove it and set it aside as well. - Prepare the Beans:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the kidney beans, pinto beans, and baked beans. Stir in the chopped onions, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the beans. - Make the Sauce:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, black pepper, salt, and smoked paprika. Add this mixture to the bean mixture and stir to combine. - Combine the Beef, Bacon, and Beans:
Add the cooked ground beef and bacon to the beans and sauce mixture. Stir well to combine, ensuring that all ingredients are evenly mixed. - Simmer:
Pour the entire mixture into a large pot or Dutch oven. Add about 1/2 cup of water (more if you prefer a thinner consistency). Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Once it begins to bubble, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally. - Serve:
Once the beans are hot and the flavors have melded together, remove from the heat and serve hot. Enjoy it as a side dish or a main course with your favorite bread or cornbread on the side.
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Calico Beans Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 lb bacon chopped
- 1 can 15 oz kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can 15 oz pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can 15 oz baked beans
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika optional
- 1/2 cup water or more for desired consistency
Instructions
- Cook the Ground Beef and Bacon:
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned, breaking it up into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Remove the beef from the skillet and set it aside. In the same skillet, cook the chopped bacon until crispy, then remove it and set it aside as well.
- Prepare the Beans:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the kidney beans, pinto beans, and baked beans. Stir in the chopped onions, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the beans.
- Make the Sauce:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, black pepper, salt, and smoked paprika. Add this mixture to the bean mixture and stir to combine.
- Combine the Beef, Bacon, and Beans:
- Add the cooked ground beef and bacon to the beans and sauce mixture. Stir well to combine, ensuring that all ingredients are evenly mixed.
- Simmer:
- Pour the entire mixture into a large pot or Dutch oven. Add about 1/2 cup of water (more if you prefer a thinner consistency). Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Once it begins to bubble, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
- Serve:
- Once the beans are hot and the flavors have melded together, remove from the heat and serve hot. Enjoy it as a side dish or a main course with your favorite bread or cornbread on the side.
Notes
- Sweetness: If you prefer a sweeter flavor, feel free to increase the amount of brown sugar. Alternatively, reduce the sugar if you prefer a more savory dish.
- Bean Variations: You can experiment with different types of beans like black beans, great northern beans, or chickpeas.
- Make Ahead: This dish can be prepared in advance. Simply store it in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat it before serving.
- Slow Cooker Option: To make this recipe in a slow cooker, follow the same instructions but instead of simmering on the stove, transfer the ingredients to a slow cooker and cook on low for 4-6 hours.
