My Mom’s Famous Calico Beans
User Reviews
4.6
My Mom’s Famous Calico Beans
Description
My Mom’s Famous Calico Beans features pinto, cannellini, and black beans combined with bacon and onions for a richly flavored bean side dish. The beans are drained and rinsed, mixed with sautéed bacon and softened onions, then coated in a sauce made from ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, dry mustard, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and seasoning. Baking covered at a low temperature allows the sauce to thicken and the flavors to blend gently.
The final dish has a balance of smoky bacon, tangy vinegar, and a touch of sweetness from the brown sugar and ketchup. The texture is tender with a subtle sauce that clings to the beans. It pairs well with grilled meats or as a comfort food staple.
For convenience, the beans can be cooked in a slow cooker on low for several hours as an alternative to oven baking. Using a moderately sized baking dish prevents the beans from drying out, and adjusting baking time may be needed if using a larger pan.
Ingredients
- 1 (15-ounce) (15-ounce) can pinto beans red
- 1 (15-ounce) (15-ounce) can cannellini beans also called white kidney beans
- 1 (15-ounce) (15-ounce) can black beans
- 8 ounces Bacon chopped
- 1 cup onion chopped
- ½ cup ketchup see note
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons mustard powder dry
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar
- ⅓ cup water or low-sodium broth
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch optional, helps thicken the sauce a bit
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Lightly grease a 3-quart baking dish (see note).
- Drain and rinse all the beans (go ahead and throw them all together in one colander) and set aside.
- In a large skillet, cook the bacon until crisp. Drain on paper towels, leaving about 1 teaspoon grease in the skillet.
- Add the onion to the skillet over medium heat and cook until softened, 4-5 minutes. Off the heat, add the beans and bacon.
- In a liquid measuring cup or bowl, combine the ketchup, Worcestershire, dry mustard, sugar, salt, vinegar, water (or broth) and cornstarch, if using, and whisk to combine thoroughly. Pour the sauce into the skillet and stir well.
- Scrape the entire mixture into the prepared baking pan. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 45-60 minutes. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Brand choice for ketchup affects sweetness and flavor, so adjust seasoning as needed.
- Slow cooker cooking is an option: cook on low for about 4 hours instead of baking.
- Use a 3-quart baking dish for best sauce thickness; a larger pan requires shorter baking time to prevent drying.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 Serving | |
| Calories | 452kcal | 23% |
| Carbohydrates | 59g | 20% |
| Protein | 19g | 38% |
| Fat | 16g | 25% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Cholesterol | 25mg | 8% |
| Sodium | 1109mg | 46% |
| Fiber | 14g | 56% |
| Sugar | 20g | 40% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.6
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