Rusty's Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans 🌽🐮

These Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans are hearty, delicious, and packed with flavor! Perfect for a backyard BBQ or a cozy family dinner, they combine the robust tastes of smoky bacon, spicy jalapeños, and a sweet and tangy sauce that will have everyone reaching for seconds (or thirds!). This dish is super easy to make and can be customized with your favorite type of beans. Serve it up alongside cornbread or with tortilla chips for a delightful crunch! 🌶️🥖

Ingredients

For the Beans

• 1 pound dried pinto beans (or a mix of your favorite beans)
• 4 slices of thick-cut bacon, chopped
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-2 jalapeños, seeds removed and diced (adjust to taste)
• 1 bell pepper, diced (any color)
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand)
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

Optional Garnishes

• Chopped green onions
• Fresh cilantro
• Shredded cheese
• Sour cream

Instructions

1. Prep the Beans: Rinse and soak the beans overnight in water, or quick soak them by boiling for 2 minutes and letting them sit for an hour. Drain and set aside.

2. Cook the Bacon: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon and let it drain on paper towels, reserving about 1 tablespoon of the bacon grease in the pan.

3. Sauté the Vegetables: In the same skillet, sauté the diced onion, garlic, jalapeños, and bell pepper in the bacon grease until softened, about 5-7 minutes.

4. Combine Ingredients: In your slow cooker, add the soaked beans, cooked vegetables, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, BBQ sauce, brown sugar, chili powder, cumin, and the crispy bacon. Stir everything together until well combined.

5. Cook Slow: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or until the beans are tender. Check for seasoning and adjust with salt and pepper as needed.

🥄 If you want extra depth of flavor, consider adding a splash of Worcestershire sauce or a teaspoon of smoked paprika to enhance the smokiness of the dish!

6. Serve: Once the beans are ready, spoon them into bowls and top with your favorite garnishes like green onions, cilantro, shredded cheese, or a dollop of sour cream.

🍽️ These beans can also be served as filling for burritos or as a side dish for grilled meats. They freeze beautifully, so make a big batch and save some for later!

Variations

• Vegetarian/Vegan: Substitute bacon with a smoky vegan alternative or simply omit it; you can add liquid smoke for flavor if desired. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
• Spicy: Add more jalapeños or mix in a can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce to amp up the heat! 🌶️
• Hearty Additions: Toss in cooked ground beef or turkey for a meaty version of this dish.
• Canned Beans: Short on time? Use three cans of drained and rinsed beans instead of dried beans. Reduce cooking time to 2-3 hours on low.

With its robust flavors and comforting goodness, Rusty's Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans are sure to become a staple in your home! Happy cooking! 🍽️✨