Last summer I had the distinct pleasure of visiting cattle ranches in Kansas with Certified Angus Beef ® brand. One of (many) highlights of the trip with a spending time with cowboy and Food Network star Kent Rollins and his wife, Shannon.
Together, they taught us to make Cowboy Beans over the golden embers of a campfire. A great recipe that soon became a family favorite.
This post is sponsored by the Certified Angus Beef® brand in conjunction with a social media campaign through Sunday Supper LLC. All opinions are my own.
My New Favorite Baked Bean Recipe
Cowboy Homemade Baked Beans are smoky, spicy and sweet. The perfect side dish recipe for BBQ, potlucks and parties.
This dynamic duo is well-known in the foodie world for being the only chuck wagon chefs, teaching us all to cook like a cowboy courtesy of Certified Angus Beef® brand.
After teaching us how to make the best cast iron biscuits using a sourdough starter, we also watched as Kent prepared an amazing dinner out of the chuck wagon.
Chuck Wagon Food
All of the food was remarkable, but perhaps the most translatable to home was his homemade baked beans, also known as Spicy Barbecue and Bacon Baked Beans.
Kent reminisced about his childhood and beans sometimes serving as the “meat” of their meals.
These baked beans with bacon do not disappoint. Of course, I took the liberty of modifying his original recipe to create my own sweet and spicy ranch beans masterpiece.
A couple of things to note are that the type of BBQ sauce you choose will carry the flavor through your beans. I highly recommend going with a sweet BBQ sauce for this one. It will also change the ending color- some are darker burgundy and others will be lighter or even more yellow.
Unless the goal is sweat beads on your nose and forehead, then by all means, go for the spicy!
Ranch Style Beans
One question I originally had was “what are ranch style beans?” They are beans simmered with oregano, cumin and chili powder. If you can’t find Ranch style beans, look for chili beans, which will have a similar flavor profile.
But I also found another explanation… ranch beans are just any beans that have been doctored up from a basic baked bean recipe.
On thing that surprised me, but then made a ton of sense was that Kent Rollins even used canned beans! But as he explained life on a chuck wagon, the majority of the day is spent in route and moving.
Since ranch beans are so hard to find, I’ve since modified the recipe to use just pinto beans and remains just as delicious.
There isn’t time for soaking beans with fresh water.
Kent Rollins: “Water is for drinking and daylight is for moving.”
There are times they can be on the chuck wagon for weeks, even months, at a time. Canned foods last longer. Surprisingly, dry beans weigh about the same amount as canned beans.
Prep it for Camping
Much like many of our favorite camping recipes, they need to be easily prepared with simple, easy to tote ingredients.
For Cowboy Homemade Baked Beans as your favorite camping food, dice up the onion and jalapeno before you leave.
You can omit or cook the bacon ahead of time if you’d prefer to not travel with raw meat. Of course, it all depends on the event you plan to make them for. I’m not much of a camper, so mine are usually just being made at home on the grill or stovetop.
PRO TIP: Use your favorite canned beans you don’t have to stick to the beans your recipe calls for.
While I like to make mine in a cast iron skillet like we did out on the range, you can also make crock pot baked beans by throwing the ingredients in a slow cooker on low for 2 hours. Or follow the same process, but bake them in the oven for 25 minutes at 350 degrees.
To find even more cowboy worthy recipe from life on a chuck wagon, check out A Taste of Cowboy, one of my favorite go-to cookbooks, especially for summer recipes.
Check out these tasty recipes to serve with your beans!
Grilled Stuffed Pork Chops
Thai Grilled Shrimp
Tools for making Cowboy Homemade Baked Beans:
Heavy Bottom Frying Pan– this will be one of your most used kitchen tools. Having something that is heavy bottom will distribute heat better and prevent burning whether you are using an electric or gas range.
Cast Iron Skillet– Yes they are heavy, yes they take a little extra TLC. Are using cast iron pans worth it? YES!!! Just buy one and you’ll thank me later! I have both pre-seasoned and unseasoned. I like them both for different reasons.
Questions you might have about how to make cowboy baked beans:
Can baked beans be made ahead of time? Sure! Beans are such a sturdy ingredient and can withstand a lot, including being made ahead and reheating. However, as with most recipes, they best eaten within 24 hours of cooking.
How do I reheat baked beans? Like I said above, they are pretty sturdy, so you take your pick of how to reheat them. Saucepan, crock pot, skillet, cast iron, baking dish, oven or even the microwave. It is pretty hard to hurt them!
Can I freeze baked beans? You can freeze cooked baked beans. Place them in an airtight container or plastic bag, trying to get out as much air as possible. They will stay good for up to 4 months.
Can I use a different type of bean? You can substitute whatever type of beans you want! Here are the best beans for baked bean recipes:
- Great Northern
- White Beans
- Pink Pinto Beans
- Pinto Beans
- Kidney Beans
- Black Beans
- Navy Beans
Can I use dry, raw beans instead of canned beans? You sure can! I just usually don’t have the time. Start with 2 cups of each type of dry beans. Put them all in a large bowl, cover with water and set in the fridge for 6-8 hours. Pick up where the recipe starts off for the same results!
What can I substitute for bacon? Technically, this is a pork and beans recipe, but you can either omit the bacon altogether or even use cooked, browned ground beef.
Before you get started, make sure you know how to properly season your cast iron and how to clean your cast iron!
Cowboy Homemade Baked Beans
Equipment
Ingredients
- 10 slices thick-cut bacon
- 30 ounces pinto beans , rinsed and drained
- 15 ounces black beans , rinsed and drained
- 3/4 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 jalapeno , finely minced
- 1 yellow onion , chopped
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet or cast iron pan over medium heat. Add bacon strips. Cooke until nearly crispy. Remove to a paper towel lined plate. When cool, cut into 1-inch pieces.
- Drain excess bacon grease from cast iron, carefully wiping out with a paper towel.
- Add black and pinto beans, BBQ sauce, jalapeno, yellow onion, brown sugar and yellow mustard. Mix well.
- Bring to a simmer over low heat, stirring frequently. Cook for 20 minutes.
- Add bacon back into the mixture, heating for an additional 2-3 minutes to reheat bacon.
- Serve hot!
- If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or ratings.
Video
Nutrition
Learn more about Certified Angus Beef® brand HERE!
I was not sure if my dad and I would have figured it all the way out on our own. Thought we had lost the recipe forever to be only a fading memory from my childhood without my mother around to help us. Still can’t figure out the password for the Hulu account since she passed on this year!
This is now my “signature” family recipe. My kids don’t even bother with bbq joint baked beans anymore, they’ve come to expect this recipe’s quality and flavor. Only modification I make is adding an extra jalapeño for a little more kick.
Love to hear that and thanks for coming back to let us know!
I normally don’t take the time to rate recipes but I have to give credit where credit is due… these are the best homemade baked beans. It’s hard to eat beans at a restaurant now. I do a couple things that I think are key.
I use a smoky bbq sauce (Diana Sauce Gourmet Western Smokehouse) because I believe getting a smoky flavour is key.
I also add a 127ml can of Old ElPaso Chopped Green Chillies because I find they have a unique flavour that I really like.
Finally, I usually put them on the smoker to get extra flavour. These pair well with pork of course, so I just put them on the smoker on low heat along with a pulled pork or ribs and it makes great use of the smoke already going for the pork.
Honestly everyone that’s tried these loves them and we do too. Thanks for the recipe.
Thank you, Todd! And thanks for taking the time to come back and let us know all about it.
My gosh,2nd time I’ve made them, what a hit!!
So much flavor with a little kick. Thank you from Wisconsin!!!
Woohoo! Thanks for coming back to let us know!
Made these beans for family dinner and they were a hit! I decreased the jalapeños and added cubed kielbasa to it. I shared the recipes with family and will never have baked beans any other way!
OH! I love those modifications! Thanks for coming by to let us know. 🙂
why do you call to drain and rinse the ranch style beans?
Because they are in sauce and then they are too saucy.
Made these cowboy homemade baked beans and they were fabulous! With 3 kids, I’d decrease the amount of jalapenos. All 3 of them liked these beans, which is hard to find something everyone likes. I also cut the brown sugar in half and cooked in the crock pot for 2 hours on low. Thanks for a new family favorite!
These Baked Beans were Fabulous!!! I really need to make these on the 4th. So glad I stopped by! P.S. Miss seeing you!
Liz, I miss you too! Thanks for stopping by!
I had a big baked beans fail recently so great to see your DELICIOUS sounding recipe!
What a wonderful day it must have been when you visited the famous chef!
Oh no, nothing more upsetting than a baked beans FAIL. I hope you like this recipe!
OMG, That look absolutely delicious! I have never made beaked beans my self, always buy them in a tin. I doun’t think I will go back to store bought baked beans after this one 😀