Calico Beans

Calico Beans is a hearty dish made in a Crockpot with several cans of beans, bacon, ground beef, and brown sugar tomato sauce. It is very easy to put together dinner. This side dish doesn’t take a long time to prepare, and you can keep it warm in a slow cooker, it is the perfect addition to summer picnics or game day watch parties!

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Cowboy Calico Beans

It truly is a shame that beans get such a bad rap. Well-prepared bean dishes are nutritious, inexpensive, and, most of all, delicious. This Calico Beans recipe showcases a huge variety of beans in a sweet and tangy mild sauce that, when combined, delivers a one-of-a-kind taste.

Adding bacon and ground beef, you can easily serve Calico Beans as a complete one-pot meal or pair it with your favorite starch for an even more satisfying supper.

A Bean Lover’s Journey

Growing up in the Midwest, potlucks weren’t complete without a massive slow cooker full of Calico Beans. Named after the multicolored calico cat, this hearty dish combines a rainbow of beans with savory meats and a sweet-tangy sauce that transforms humble ingredients into pure comfort food. What started as a cattle drive staple has evolved into a beloved family meal that’s both economical and delicious.

Why This Recipe Works

• Perfect for potlucks and large gatherings
• One-pot meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights
• Budget-friendly yet protein-rich
• Make-ahead friendly and freezer compatible
• Customizable heat and flavor levels

Meat Makes It a Meal

The ground beef and bacon turn this side dish into something hearty to serve as the main course. When selecting the meat for this recipe, look for something that brings a lot of flavor to the pot.

Buy thick-cut or, better yet, slab bacon and cut it into medium-sized chunks. Big pieces not only hold up to long and slow simmering but offer diners substantial bites of smoky goodness.

You don’t have to stick with ground beef. Pork, chicken, turkey, or wild game wouldn’t be out of place in this recipe. A particularly good substitution is Cajun-style bulk sausage meat for those who want an extra spicy kick.

Making This Calico Beans Recipe Range-Worthy

Calico baked beans are sometimes referred to as cowboy beans because they were a staple on long cattle drives. Since water was sometimes scarce on the plains, cooks started using leftover coffee to boil their beans. This waste-not-want-not approach not only solved the problem at hand but imparted a complex taste to the recipe.

You can recreate this flavor by using instant coffee. Add half the amount of instant coffee necessary to make one cup of coffee to the beans when they go into the crockpot. Stir to combine.

Tips for Making, Serving, and Storing Calico Beans

• Yes, you can freeze this calico bean recipe! Put leftover beans in a freezer-safe container. Make sure to leave a little extra room to allow for the food to expand when frozen. Don’t forget to label the container with the date. Beans should last for about three months.
• Reheat the beans in the oven. Let the beans thaw in the fridge overnight. Put thawed beans in an oven-safe container, cover with aluminum foil and reheat in a 250-degree oven for about 45 minutes.
• Don’t forget your favorite toppings and sides. Sprinkle on shredded cheese, chopped onions, pickled jalapeno slices, or sliced green onions. Serve with a piece of cornbread, collard greens, coleslaw, white rice, or corn on the cob.
• Do you need to drain the beans first? No, you do not need to drain the beans first. The final beans are very thick, and you may want to add some additional water. I typically open a can of beans, and I look and see if the water in the can super starchy (the liquid will be cloudy), if yes, I drain. If not, I don’t drain the beans.

Check out our other fabulous bean dishes on YouTube!

Calico Beans Crockpot Recipe

A colorful medley of tasty beans is smothered in an easy, made-from-scratch BBQ-ish sauce and cooked to flavorful perfection in a crockpot.

I prefer to cook my beans in a crockpot, so they don’t burn. The texture seems to be better as well this way.

Recipe Ingredients

Here’s a list of what you need:

• Ground beef – provides a hearty texture and rich flavor
• Bacon – adds smokiness and depth
• Onion – creates aromatic foundation
• Garlic – adds essential savory notes
• Canned baked beans – provide sweet base and thick sauce
• Canned kidney beans – add firm texture and earthy flavor
• Canned pinto beans – contribute creamy texture
• Canned butter beans – provide subtle, buttery flavor
• Canned navy beans – add mild, tender texture
• Canned three bean salad – contributes ta angy variety
• Brown sugar – creates caramelized sweetness
• Ketchup – adds tomato tang and thickness
• Honey – provides natural sweetness
• White vinegar – balances sweetness with acidity
• Dry mustard – adds subtle heat and depth

How to Make Calico Beans

Calico beans don’t take much time to prep. They can also be made ahead of time and taste even better the next day. Pass me the hot sauce and a big plate of these beans!

1. In a skillet over medium heat, sauté ground beef, chopped bacon, chopped onion, and minced garlic until the ground beef has browned. Drain if desired.

2. Add all the beans to the crockpot.
3. Add brown sugar, ketchup, honey, vinegar, and dry mustard to the crockpot. Stir well.

4. Cook on low heat for 2 hours.

Recipe Tips and Variations

Bean Selection Tips

• Don’t drain beans unless liquid is very cloudy
• Feel free to swap bean varieties based on preference
• For extra heat, add Ranch Style Beans with jalapeños

Meat Variations

• Substitute Italian sausage for ground beef
• Use fresh Mexican chorizo for a spicy twist
• Try ground turkey or pork for lighter options

The Cowboy Touch

• Consider wild game meat for rustic appeal
• Add 1/2 tablespoon instant coffee for authentic range flavor
• Use thick-cut bacon for heartier texture

Storage and Reheating Leftovers

Refrigerator Storage

• Store in an airtight container
• Keeps for 3-4 days
• Flavors improve overnight

Freezer Storage

• Freeze for up to 3 months
• Leave expansion room in the container
• Label with date
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator

Reheating Instructions

1. Oven method (preferred):
   • Thaw completely
   • Cover with foil
   • Heat at 250°F for 45 minutes
2. Slow cooker method:
   • Low heat for 1-2 hours
   • Stir occasionally
   • Add water if needed

Hungry for more bean recipes? Give these a try!

Favorite Crockpot Slow Cooker Recipes

Check out more of my easy recipes for dinner and the best Crockpot recipes here on CopyKat!

Calico Beans

These Calico beans a hearty enough to make a whole meal.