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    Recipes » Side Dishes » Easy Baked Calico Beans

    Easy Baked Calico Beans

    Published: Oct 9, 2020 · Modified: Sep 29, 2022 by Kate Shungu · This post may contain affiliate links

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    Jump to Recipe
    calico beans in a rectangular white dish.
    calico beans in a rectangular white dish.
    calico beans in a rectangular white dish.

    Baked beans get an upgrade with these Easy Baked Calico Beans with Beef and Bacon. They’re dressed in a sweet and tangy sauce, and oven baked to perfection.

    baked calico beans in a large white casserole dish.

    If you like baked beans, this is the perfect recipe.

    Easy Baked Calico Beans are a mixture of three beans (butter beans, kidney beans, and pork & beans), plus ground beef and bacon in a sweet and tangy sauce.

    They’re the perfect side dish for a cookout, which is probably why they’re also called Cowboy Beans. And they pair nicely with Grilled Brats, burgers, Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes, or Slow Cooker Beef BBQ.

    They’re also great in the fall for a football watching party or a tailgate.

    And, you can make them ahead of time and warm them when you’re ready to serve. See below for more instructions on making them ahead, and how to make Calico Beans in a crockpot, too.

    This post contains affiliate links. Affiliate links support Gift of Hospitality at no additional cost to you. I receive a commission if you choose to make a purchase through these links.

    Jump to:
    • What are calico beans?
    • Ingredients
    • How to make easy baked calico beans
    • How to make calico beans in a crockpot
    • Easy Baked Calico Beans: Frequently Asked Questions
    • Freezing instructions
    • Reheating instructions
    • What to serve with baked calico beans
    • 📖 Recipe
    • Related recipes
    • 💬 Reviews

    What are calico beans?

    The word calico typically refers to a multicolored or mottled cat. Calico beans are baked beans made with a variety of multicolored beans.

    For this recipe, we’re using butter beans, kidney beans, and pork & beans. The different sizes and colors creates a beautiful finished dish with a “calico” color.

    They’re also known as Cowboy Beans or Trucker Beans.

    Ingredients

    calico beans ingredients on a white table.
    • Ground beef and bacon make these beans extra hearty. I used 85% lean ground beef.
    • A mixture of kidney beans, butter beans, and pork & beans (which are made with navy beans) vary in color and size, which makes the beans even more visually appealing (and delicious!).
    • The sauce is made with ketchup, brown sugar, white sugar, and vinegar. It’s sweet and a little tangy!
    • A yellow onion adds a nice savory flavor. You can use a white onion if you prefer.

    How to make easy baked calico beans

    Rinse and drain the kidney beans and butter beans, but leave the liquid in the can of pork & beans (we’ll add it to the dish later).

    Place the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook until crisp.

    Remove the bacon from the pan and set aside. Pour the grease into a heat-safe bowl and save for another use (like scrambled eggs!).

    Add the beef and onion to the skillet. Cook until the beef is cooked through and the onion is soft.

    beef, bacon, and onion in a nonstick skillet.

    Add the remaining ingredients and stir to combine.

    baked beans in a large nonstick skillet.

    Pour the mixture into an oven-safe dish. I used a 13×9 inch dish which had plenty of room for everything. Bake the beans for 30 minutes in a 350°F oven until the mixture is bubbly.

    The baked calico beans are ready to serve!

    calico baked beans in a white casserole dish with a wooden spoon on the side.

    How to make calico beans in a crockpot

    To make calico beans in a crockpot, brown the beef, bacon, and onion according to the recipe. Add the mixture to a slow cooker, along with the remaining ingredients.

    Cook the calico beans in the crockpot for 1.5–2 hours on high or 3–4 hours on low, or until bubbly and warm.

    Serve immediately, or reduce the heat to “warm” until you’re ready to serve them. You can serve the calico beans straight from the crockpot if you’re planning a buffet.

    Easy Baked Calico Beans: Frequently Asked Questions

    Which beans are best for calico beans?

    Navy beans, cannellini beans, kidney beans, butter beans, great northern beans, and black beans are all delicious in baked beans. Use whatever mixture of beans that you prefer. I like to vary the types of beans (three cans, each of a different variety) so that the finished dish is visually appealing.

    Can I make calico beans with dried beans?

    To use dried beans for this recipe, cook the dried beans according to package directions. Substitute 1.5 cups of cooked beans for each 15-ounce can of beans.
    You’ll need one-half cup of dried beans to equal 1.5 cups of cooked beans.

    side view of baked beans in a white casserole dish with parsley on the side.

    Freezing instructions

    To freeze baked beans, allow the dish to cool after cooking. Transfer the beans to a freezer-safe container and place a lid on top. Alternatively, you can wrap a freezer-safe dish with plastic wrap and them foil.

    Freeze for up to three months. When you’re ready to serve them, defrost the beans in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours, or until defrosted. Bake in a 350°F oven for 30–40 minutes, or until heated through.

    Reheating instructions

    To reheat baked calico beans from the refrigerator, place them in an oven-safe casserole dish and cover with foil.

    Bake for 20–25 minutes at 350°F, or until the beans are warmed throughout.

    easy baked calico beans in a white casserole dish next to a wooden spoon.

    What to serve with baked calico beans

    This recipe serves 8–10 people as a side dish. I love serving baked calico beans with grilled food, such as burgers, brats, steaks, and kabobs. The beans would also be really delicious on top of a plain baked potato!

    Have you tried this recipe? Please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and/or comment below!

    cup of ambrosia and slice of banana cake.

    📖 Recipe

    calico baked beans in a white casserole dish.

    Easy Baked Calico Beans

    Published by Kate
    These flavorful baked beans are loaded with the good stuff—beef, lots of beans, and bacon!
    5 from 1 vote
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    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Total Time 45 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 10 servings
    Calories 388 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 lb ground beef
    • ½ lb uncooked bacon, chopped
    • 1 large yellow onion
    • 1 (15 oz) can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
    • 1 (15 oz) can butter beans, rinsed and drained
    • 1 (15 oz) can pork and beans
    • ¼ cup water
    • ½ cup brown sugar
    • ½ cup granulated sugar
    • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon dry mustard powder
    • ½ cup ketchup
    • 1 teaspoon salt

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350°F.
    • Place the bacon in a large skillet. Cook until crisp. Set aside. Pour the bacon grease into a small dish and reserve for another use.
    • Place the ground beef and onion in the skillet. Cook until the beef is cooked through and the onion is soft, about 6–8 minutes. Break up the ground beef with the end of a wooden spoon as it cooks.
    • Add the remaining ingredients to the skillet and stir to combine.
    • Transfer the mixture to a 13×9 inch baking dish (or another 3 quart baking dish). Cover the dish with foil.
    • Bake for 30 minutes, or until bubbly. Serve immediately.

    Notes

    You can make the baked beans in a crockpot instead of the oven. To use a crockpot, cook the bacon, beef, and onions on the stove as directed. Transfer the mixture to a crockpot and top with the remaining ingredients. Stir and place the lid on top. Cook for 1.5–2 hours on high or 3–4 hours on low. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 388kcalCarbohydrates: 47gProtein: 18gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 50mgSodium: 854mgPotassium: 637mgFiber: 6gSugar: 25gVitamin A: 70IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 67mgIron: 3mg
    Keyword baked beans
    Tried this recipe?Follow me at @giftofhospitality and let me know how you liked it!

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    About Kate

    I’m a believer, wife, mom, and big fan of old cookbooks. I live in Chicago with my husband and two young sons. I love discovering old fashioned recipes that will transport you back in time! Read more...

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    Kate from Gift of HospitalityI’m Kate. I love discovering old fashioned recipes that will transport you back in time. Learn more here
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