This one-pan dish is the ultimate comfort food. It's packed with flavour from browned beef, smoky bacon, and a trio of beans, all simmered in a rich and tangy BBQ-style sauce.
Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 45-60 minutes Serves: 6-8 people
Ingredients:
1 lb (450g) lean or medium ground beef
4-5 strips of bacon, chopped
1 large yellow onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 large can (28 oz / 796 ml) of pork and beans in tomato sauce (do not drain)
1 can (15 oz / 425g) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (15 oz / 425g) black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup of your favourite BBQ sauce
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
Black pepper to taste
Instructions:
Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Cook Bacon: In a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until it becomes crispy. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon and set it on a paper towel-lined plate, leaving about 1-2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the skillet.
Brown Beef and Onion: Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until it begins to soften. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until it is no longer pink. Drain off any excess fat.
Sauté Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for one more minute until fragrant.
Combine All Ingredients: Turn off the heat. Stir the cooked bacon back into the skillet. Add the entire can of pork and beans (with its sauce), the rinsed kidney beans, and the rinsed black beans.
Make the Sauce: Add the BBQ sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and smoked paprika. Stir everything together until well combined. Season with black pepper.
Bake: Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake, uncovered, for 45 to 60 minutes. The beans are ready when the sauce has thickened and is bubbly and caramelized around the edges. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving, as it will be very hot.
Tips and Variations:
Slow Cooker Method: After browning the meat and aromatics (steps 2-4), transfer everything to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours.
Stovetop Method: If you don't want to use the oven, you can simply let the mixture simmer gently on the stovetop over low heat for 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
Add Some Heat: For a spicy kick, add a diced jalapeño along with the onion, or a pinch of cayenne pepper with the other spices.
Bean Variety: Feel free to substitute other beans like pinto beans or cannellini beans based on what you have on hand.
Hearty Chuckwagon Beans (Baked Beans with Ground Beef)
