Grandma’s Hearty Calico Beans: A Sweet & Smoky Family Favorite for Any Occasion
There’s a reason some recipes become cherished family traditions, passed down through generations. My grandma’s calico beans recipe is exactly that for our family – a true culinary legacy that always finds a place at our table. This incredibly hearty side dish is a comforting medley of several canned beans, savory ground beef, and crispy bacon, all simmered together in a rich, sweet, and smoky gravy. Whether you’re planning a casual cookout, a festive holiday gathering, or simply craving a taste of home, these beans are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. You can effortlessly prepare them in the oven for a classic baked texture or opt for the slow cooker for hands-free convenience, making them perfect for your next company!
When the occasion calls for a dish that truly satisfies and delights everyone, nothing quite compares to these calico beans. They stand alongside other beloved family favorites like slow cooker red beans and rice, offering that comforting, stick-to-your-ribs goodness that everyone craves.
My grandmother’s calico beans have been a staple at countless potlucks, family gatherings, and holiday feasts for as long as I can remember. It was almost a guarantee that a large, bubbling dish of these delicious beans would make an appearance! This is truly one of those comfort food dishes that’s surprisingly easy to prepare, and its ability to stay warm in a crockpot makes it ideal for entertaining. While they make an outstanding side at summer barbecues, brimming with flavorful ground beef, smoky bacon, and tender onions, these beans are also robust enough to be a satisfying meal all on their own. Their sweet and savory profile, combined with their hearty texture, makes them versatile enough for any season or celebration.
Why You’ll Love This Calico Beans Recipe
This classic calico beans recipe isn’t just a dish; it’s an experience that brings warmth and flavor to any table. Here are just a few reasons why it’s consistently a family favorite and sure to become one of yours:
- Effortless Preparation: Don’t let the rich flavor fool you – this recipe is surprisingly quick to prepare. Most of the cooking time is hands-free, allowing the oven or slow cooker to do the heavy lifting. A few minutes of stovetop prep to brown the meat and onions, and then the ingredients are ready to meld into a delicious harmony. This makes it perfect for busy weeknights or when you need a reliable dish for a gathering without much fuss.
- Bursting with Irresistible Flavor: Calico beans offer a complex and deeply satisfying taste. The sauce is a masterful blend of sweet and smoky notes, perfectly balanced by the savory richness of browned ground beef, the irresistible saltiness of crisp bacon, and the subtle tang of mustard and vinegar. Sweetened with brown sugar, the silky gravy coats every bean, delivering pure comfort food in every spoonful. It’s a flavor profile that appeals to all ages and palates.
- Incredibly Versatile for Any Occasion: One of the best qualities of this calico beans recipe is its adaptability. It’s a fantastic choice for virtually any occasion, whether it’s a casual backyard barbecue, a festive holiday dinner, a potluck with friends, or a cozy family meal at home. Serve it as a hearty side dish alongside grilled meats or roasted turkey, or let it take center stage as a main course. It even makes a delicious and unexpected topping for a fluffy baked potato, transforming a simple spud into a satisfying meal.
What Exactly Are Calico Beans?
If you’re new to the world of calico beans, you might recognize them by their other popular, equally evocative names: “cowboy beans” or “trucker beans.” These names hint at their hearty, robust nature, often associated with satisfying appetites after a long day of work on the range or the road. This retro recipe is a wonderfully colorful and flavorful mashup, combining the classic sweetness of pork and beans with the distinct textures and tastes of kidney beans and butter beans. What truly sets them apart is the addition of savory ground beef and the irresistible crunch and flavor of bacon, all enveloped in that signature sweet and smoky sauce.
The term “calico” in the name likely refers to the mottled, multi-colored appearance of the different bean varieties mixed together, much like the varied patterns of calico cat fur. This visual appeal is just one part of their charm. For my family, calico beans hold a special place because they are a non-negotiable presence at every family get-together, a delicious tradition that brings everyone together. They’re straightforward to prepare, sharing some similarities with a classic chili in their comforting, meaty bean base, but they diverge significantly in flavor. Unlike chili, which typically features bold Tex-Mex spices and often a kick of heat, calico beans lean into a sweeter, smokier, and tangier profile, making them distinctly unique and a welcome change from spicier fare.
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Calico Beans
Through all these years of enjoying and perfecting cowboy beans, I’ve gathered most of my grandma’s invaluable tips and tricks for getting them just right. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simple, accessible ingredients that come together to create a profoundly complex flavor. Here are some detailed notes on what you’ll need to gather:
- Ground Beef: I highly recommend using lean ground beef (85/15 or 90/10 works best). This helps minimize excess grease, ensuring your beans aren’t oily. If you prefer, you can also use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version, or even ground pork for an even richer flavor. Just be sure to drain any fat after browning.
- Onion: A finely chopped onion is crucial for building a foundational flavor. Yellow onions, brown onions, or even milder shallots work wonderfully here, adding a subtle sweetness and aromatic depth as they cook down with the beef.
- Bacon: Crispy, crumbled bacon adds an incredible smoky, salty dimension to the beans. You’ll want to cook your bacon using your preferred method until it’s perfectly crisp. The air fryer offers a quick and easy way to achieve perfectly crispy bacon with minimal mess. Cook it ahead of time and crumble it into small pieces before you start assembling the beans.
- Pork and Beans: These canned beans, often found in the canned goods aisle, are a cornerstone of the calico beans recipe. They come in a sweet tomato-based sauce, which forms the base of our delicious gravy, adding a unique sweetness and thickness.
- Assorted Canned Beans: The “calico” aspect of this dish comes from a colorful mix of beans. I typically use kidney beans for their robust texture and earthy flavor, and butter beans (or lima beans) for their creamy consistency. However, this is where you can truly customize! Feel free to substitute with your favorite canned beans like black beans, cannellini beans, or even pinto beans to create your own unique blend and texture. Just remember to drain and rinse them well before adding to remove excess sodium and any canning liquid.
- Ketchup: Ketchup brings a familiar sweet and tangy tomato flavor that is essential for the sauce. If you’re out of ketchup or prefer a less sweet option, a good quality tomato paste can be used, though you might want to adjust the brown sugar slightly to maintain the desired sweetness.
- Mustard: A touch of mustard adds a subtle tang and a classic depth that complements the other flavors beautifully. Yellow mustard is traditional, but don’t hesitate to experiment with whole-grain mustard for a bit of texture and a more complex flavor, or even Dijon mustard for a sharper, gourmet twist.
- Brown Sugar: This is the key ingredient for achieving that signature sweet and smoky flavor profile, reminiscent of traditional baked beans. Light or dark brown sugar will both work, adding molasses-rich sweetness and helping to create that glossy, thick sauce. If brown sugar isn’t available, granulated sugar can be used, but brown sugar provides a deeper, more caramelized flavor.
- Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar is my preference because its sweet and fruity notes pair wonderfully with the beans and bacon, cutting through the richness and brightening the overall flavor. You only need a small amount, but it makes a significant difference in balancing the sweetness and adding a pleasant tang. Any type of vinegar you have on hand, such as white vinegar or red wine vinegar, can be used in a pinch.
Scroll to the recipe card below for a printable ingredients list with exact measurements.
How to Make Grandma’s Calico Beans: A Step-by-Step Guide
Making these comforting calico beans is a straightforward process, requiring just a few simple steps. The beauty of this recipe is its flexibility, allowing you to choose between baking them in the oven or simmering them slowly in a crockpot. Follow along here for the detailed instructions, and remember to check out the printable instructions in the dedicated recipe card for precise measurements and a convenient format.
- Step 1: Cook the Beef and Onions. Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) if you plan to bake the beans. In a large, sturdy skillet (preferably one that’s oven-safe if you’re baking), brown the ground beef and finely chopped onions over medium heat. Use a spoon or spatula to break the beef apart as it cooks, ensuring it’s evenly browned and no pink remains. Continue cooking until the onions are soft and translucent. Once cooked, carefully drain off any excess grease from the skillet. This step is crucial for preventing the beans from becoming overly oily.
- Step 2: Combine the Ingredients. After draining the beef and onions, it’s time to bring all the flavors together. Add the crumbled cooked bacon, the canned pork and beans (undrained), the drained kidney beans, the butter beans (or lima beans), ketchup, brown sugar, yellow mustard, and cider vinegar to the skillet. Stir all the ingredients thoroughly until they are well combined, ensuring the rich sauce coats every bean and piece of meat.
- Step 3 (Oven Method): Bake to Perfection. If your skillet is oven-safe, you can simply transfer it directly to the preheated oven. If not, carefully transfer the entire mixture to a large ceramic baking dish or casserole dish. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30-45 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the beans are hot, bubbling around the edges, and the sauce has thickened slightly. The aroma filling your kitchen will be absolutely irresistible!
Slow Cooker Method: Hands-Free Convenience
For those days when you need a delicious meal with minimal effort, making your calico beans in the crock pot is an excellent alternative. After you’ve completed the initial stovetop steps – browning the beef and onions, draining the grease, and combining all the ingredients in the skillet – simply pour the entire mixture into your slow cooker. Cover and cook on Low for 2-3 hours, or until the beans are thoroughly heated through and bubbling. The slow cooker method allows the flavors to meld beautifully, creating an incredibly tender and flavorful dish. If I’m serving them the same day, I often leave the beans on the “Keep Warm” setting until it’s time to eat, ensuring they stay perfectly hot and ready for serving.
Can I Make This Recipe Without Beef? Delicious Variations and Substitutions
Absolutely! While ground beef is traditional for this hearty calico beans recipe, its versatility means you can easily adapt it to suit your dietary preferences or what you have on hand. Don’t hesitate to get creative with your protein choice:
- Other Ground Meats: If you’d prefer to use another ground meat, feel free to swap out the beef for ground chicken, ground turkey, or ground pork. Each will bring a slightly different flavor profile to the dish. Ground turkey and chicken will result in a lighter dish, while ground pork will add an even richer, more savory depth.
- Vegetarian Calico Beans: Making a vegetarian version is entirely possible and equally delicious. Instead of ground meat, you can use a variety of plant-based alternatives. Try lentils for a hearty texture, chickpeas for a softer bite, crumbled tofu (extra firm works best for texture), or even store-bought meatless mince. When using these alternatives, you might want to add a bit of smoked paprika or a dash of liquid smoke to replicate some of that traditional smoky flavor that bacon and beef provide. Ensure to cook any plant-based alternatives according to package directions before incorporating them into the bean mixture. You might also consider adding an extra can of your favorite beans to bulk it up further.
- Adding Vegetables: For extra nutrition and flavor, consider stirring in diced bell peppers (red, green, or yellow), corn kernels (fresh or frozen), or even some finely chopped carrots along with the onions. These additions will not only enhance the color but also add extra texture and vitamins.
Perfect Pairings: What to Serve with Calico Beans
Calico beans are incredibly versatile and pair beautifully with a wide array of dishes, making them suitable for almost any meal or gathering. I find myself constantly making them for casual cookouts, festive family get-togethers, and major holidays because they’re universally loved. Their sweet and smoky flavor profile complements both light and heavy meals, truly shining year-round:
- Summer Cookouts & BBQs: In the warmer months, these beans are a quintessential side dish for any barbecue. They’re just as delicious served alongside tender smoked country-style ribs, juicy grilled chicken, or classic hot dogs and hamburgers. Pair them with fresh corn on the cob, a crisp green salad, or a refreshing coleslaw for a complete summer spread.
- Holiday Feasts: Don’t reserve these beans just for summer! They make a wonderfully comforting addition to holiday meals. Imagine them nestled next to a perfectly roasted turkey at Thanksgiving or a glazed ham at Christmas. Their hearty nature provides a delicious counterpoint to traditional holiday meats and other festive sides.
- Cozy Winter Dinners: As the weather turns colder, calico beans transform into the ultimate comfort food for a cozy dinner. We absolutely love them spooned generously over fluffy baked potatoes or creamy instant pot mashed potatoes. Serve them with a simple side of steamed broccoli, green peas, or a crusty piece of cornbread for a truly satisfying and warming meal.
- Creative Uses: Beyond being a standalone side, get creative! Use leftover calico beans as a topping for nachos, a filling for burritos, or even as a hearty addition to scrambled eggs for a unique breakfast or brunch dish.
Storing and Reheating Leftover Calico Beans
One of the many great things about calico beans is how well they keep, making them perfect for meal prepping or enjoying delicious leftovers. Here’s how to properly store and reheat them to maintain their savory goodness:
- Refrigerate: Once the beans have cooled to room temperature, transfer any leftover calico beans to an airtight container. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors often deepen overnight, making them even more delicious the next day!
- Reheat: To reheat, you have a few options. For individual servings, simply microwave the beans in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring occasionally, until heated through. For larger quantities, gently reheat them in a saucepan on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring frequently to prevent sticking, until simmering and hot. You can also reheat them in an oven-safe dish covered with foil at 300°F (150°C) for about 20-30 minutes, or until warmed through. Add a splash of water or broth if the sauce seems too thick during reheating.
- Freeze: Calico beans freeze beautifully, making them an excellent make-ahead option. Portion the cooled beans into freezer-safe airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. They will keep well in the freezer for up to 4 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, thaw the frozen beans in the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, you can reheat them using the stovetop or microwave methods described above.
More Hearty Side Dish Ideas to Try
If you love the comforting and flavorful nature of calico beans, you’ll surely enjoy these other fantastic side dish recipes:
- Homemade Refried Beans: Creamy, savory, and perfect for a Mexican-inspired meal.
- Slow Cooker Black Beans: An easy and flavorful staple that’s great with rice or as a taco filling.
- Green Beans With Bacon: A classic combination of crisp-tender green beans and smoky bacon.
- Southwestern Corn Salad: A vibrant, fresh, and zesty salad that’s perfect for summer.
Calico Beans
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Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- ½ cup finely chopped onion
- ½ pound bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 28 oz can pork and beans
- 1 15 oz can kidney beans, drained
- 1 15 oz can butter beans (or lima beans)
- ¾ cup ketchup
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon cider vinegar
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350º F.
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In a large skillet brown ground beef and onion together, breaking apart until the beef is cooked and the onions are soft. Drain away any excess grease.1 pound lean ground beef, ½ cup finely chopped onion
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Stir in all of the remaining ingredients until well combined.½ pound bacon, 1 28 oz can pork and beans, 1 15 oz can kidney beans, drained, 1 15 oz can butter beans (or lima beans), ¾ cup ketchup, ½ cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon yellow mustard, 1 teaspoon cider vinegar
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Bake for 30-45 minutes until hot and bubbly.
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OR
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Pour mixture into a crockpot and heat on low for 2-3 hours, until hot and bubbly.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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