Calico Beans
User Reviews
5
Calico Beans
Description
In this Calico Beans recipe, bacon is crisped to render drippings used to brown ground beef and onions, layering smoky flavors into the dish. Pinto, lima, butter, and kidney beans add variety and creaminess. The sauce, blending brown sugar, ketchup, mustard powder, and vinegar, provides a balance of sweetness, tang, and warmth, while salt and pepper season to taste. Cooking in a crock pot on low heat for several hours allows the flavors to deepen and the beans to soften fully.
The dish suits casual gatherings, barbecues, or family dinners. It serves well as a side alongside grilled meats or as a filling vegetarian option if meat is omitted, depending on preference. It can also be baked in the oven as an alternative cooking method, expanding its use.
Advance preparation includes browning beef and onions and combining ingredients ahead of time for convenience. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for three to four days, and reheating is straightforward. Baking instead of slow cooking offers flexibility for kitchen equipment and timing.
Ingredients
- 8 oz Bacon
- 1 lb ground beef recommend 85%
- 1 c. chopped yellow onion
- ½ c. light brown sugar packed
- 1 Tbsp mustard powder dry
- 2 cans pork and beans 15 oz each
- 15 oz lima beans drained
- 15 oz butter beans drained
- 16 oz Kidney Beans drained
- ½ c. ketchup
- 1 Tbsp white vinegar
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large skillet, fry bacon until crisp, remove bacon to paper towels and let drain. Leave about 2 tsp of bacon drippings in the skillet, discard the remaining drippings.
- Heat skillet with drippings over medium heat and add the ground beef and chopped onions. Cook until beef is browned. Drain off grease.
- Transfer ground beef to a crock pot. Add the rest of the ingredients to the crock pot.
- Cook on low for 3-5 hours.
Notes
- You can prepare the beef and onion mixture in advance and refrigerate it before adding other ingredients to slow cook later.
- Fully cooked Calico Beans can be cooled and refrigerated, then reheated when needed.
- Leftovers store in the refrigerator for three to four days safely.
- For oven cooking, place all ingredients in a baking dish and bake covered for about one hour at 350°F.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 12Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 489 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 489kcal | 24% |
| Carbohydrates | 64g | 21% |
| Protein | 26g | 52% |
| Fat | 16g | 25% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 47mg | 16% |
| Sodium | 792mg | 33% |
| Potassium | 1147mg | 24% |
| Fiber | 15g | 60% |
| Sugar | 15g | 30% |
| Vitamin A | 58IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 5mg | 6% |
| Calcium | 115mg | 12% |
| Iron | 6mg | 33% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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