A thick, sweet, and delicious sauce is mixed with a variety of beans, ground beef, and bacon to make Calico Beans recipe, a baked casserole.
It’s a fantastic side dish for backyard barbecues and cookouts. It is a delicious garnish for pulled pork, hamburgers, and hotdogs.
The term “calico” simply describes the assortment of beans used in the recipe, which includes butter beans, kidney beans, and pork and beans, much like a multicolored calico cat. All of the beans are cooked in a sweet, tangy sauce with ground beef and bacon.
Ingredients for Making Calico Beans Recipe
Gather these ingredients below to make the perfect Calico Beans Recipe
- 1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 can (21 ounces) pork and beans
- 1 can (16 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 can (16 ounces) of butter beans, rinsed and drained
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 4 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
- 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon prepared mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
How to Make Slow Cooker Calico Beans
Here is how to make Calico beans recipe with a slow cooker:
- Cook the ground beef and bacon in a big skillet over medium-high heat. Then, drain well and put the mixture in the slow cooker.
- Add the mustard, vinegar, ketchup, onion, and all the beans.
- Cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 8 hours after thoroughly mixing and covering. Add salt to taste.
How to Make Oven-Baked Calico Beans
Follow these steps below to make Calico beans in an oven:
- Set the oven’s temperature to 350°. If you have a large Dutch oven, cast iron casserole, or other stove-to-oven safe cookware with a lid, you can cook the bacon and beef together in the bottom of it.
- Remove any excess fat before adding the remaining ingredients and covering. Bake for 45 to 60 minutes, or until very hot.
Making Calico Beans with Dried Beans
Dried beans are always incredibly affordable to use in recipes, especially when you’re feeding a big crowd. Cooking the beans requires a little more work, but the total cost of the recipe is only a few dollars.
In a large pot of unsalted water, cook the beans separately, according to size (larger beans may take longer), and simmer until tender. Once they are drained, they are prepared for use.
Alternatively, you can cook the dried beans in an Instant Pot in a matter of minutes. However, although the Instant Pot is an amazing device, using canned or cooked beans to make Calico Beans in it is not advised. There’s a chance that the canned beans in the electric pressure cooker will be overcooked.
How Else Can You Cook Calico Beans?
You can cook calico beans on the stovetop all the way through. In a saucepan, combine all the ingredients and simmer, uncovered, until the mixture reaches the desired thickness.
Alternatively, cook the calico beans in a slow cooker on low for 4 to 6 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours after cooking and draining the beef.
Remember that because the slow cooker version is cooked with the lid on, it will be saucier than the oven and stovetop versions.
How to Serve Calico Beans
As a main course, these beans are delicious and served simply in a bowl by themselves. You can top them with all of your favorite chili toppings and treat them like chili:
- Diced jalapeno
- Chopped raw onions
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- A dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Crunchy corn chips
Alternatively, have them as a substantial and satisfying side dish for your next outdoor gathering under the stars with Barbecue Chicken, Roasted Greek Potatoes, and the Best Macaroni Salad.
How to Make Vegetarian Calico Beans
Experiment with different beans, like garbanzos, and omit the beef and bacon. Black beans are also excellent; however, make sure to rinse and drain them beforehand to prevent the color from overpowering the rest of the dish.
Vegetarian Calico Beans can also be “beefed” up with a few extra vegetables. Try using bell peppers, a 14-ounce can of fire-roasted tomatoes, or even crumbled tofu or other plant-based meat alternatives.
