Description
Kielbasa Cowboy Beans is a hearty, flavorful dish featuring smoky kielbasa, ground beef, bacon, and a savory blend of baked beans, barbecue sauce, and spices. Perfect as a comforting main or a crowd-pleasing side, this recipe is slow-baked in the oven to meld all the smoky and sweet flavors together.
Ingredients
Scale
Meats
- 1 ring (13.9 ounces) kielbasa, sliced into ½-inch rounds
- 1 pound ground beef
- 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced (approximately 1 cup)
- 1 green bell pepper, diced (approximately 1 cup)
Seasonings & Sauces
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 cans (28 ounces each) baked beans
- ½ cup (140 g) barbecue sauce
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Brown Kielbasa: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). In a 4-quart, oven-safe pot or Dutch oven placed over medium heat, add the sliced kielbasa and brown them on both sides to develop flavor. Once browned, remove the kielbasa slices from the pot and set them aside.
- Brown Ground Beef and Vegetables: In the same pot, add the ground beef, diced yellow onion, diced green bell pepper, garlic salt, and onion powder. Cook the mixture until the beef is fully browned and the vegetables are softened. Drain any excess grease from the pot to reduce fat content.
- Combine Ingredients: Return the browned kielbasa to the pot. Add cooked and crumbled bacon, brown sugar, baked beans, barbecue sauce, and Dijon mustard. Stir all ingredients thoroughly to ensure they are evenly mixed.
- Bake: Cover the pot with a lid and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 1 hour until the beans are heated through, bubbling, and the mixture has thickened to your preference.
- Serve: Carefully remove the pot from the oven and serve the Kielbasa Cowboy Beans warm for a satisfying, smoky, and sweet hearty meal.
Notes
- You can prepare the bacon in advance to save time during cooking.
- If you prefer spicier beans, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or hot sauce along with the other seasonings.
- Use a heavy-bottomed, oven-safe pot like a Dutch oven to ensure even cooking and avoid burning.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- This dish pairs well with cornbread or steamed white rice for a complete meal.
