Calico Beans
Bursting with rich, smoky flavor and hearty textures, Calico Beans is a crowd-pleasing baked dish that blends the savory goodness of ground beef, crispy bacon, and a medley of beans—kidney, butter, pinto, and baked beans. This comfort food classic is elevated with a sweet-and-tangy sauce made from brown sugar, ketchup, mustard, and vinegar, creating the perfect balance of flavors. Ideal as a standalone meal or a warm side dish at potlucks and family gatherings, this recipe is easy to prepare and feeds a hungry crowd. Ready in just about an hour, Calico Beans delivers a satisfying harmony of protein-packed ingredients and sweet, savory, and smoky notes that will keep everyone coming back for seconds.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound Ground beef
- 6 slices Bacon
- 1 medium Onion, diced
- 15 ounces Kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 15 ounces Butter beans, drained and rinsed
- 15 ounces Pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 28 ounces Canned baked beans in sauce
- 0.5 cups Brown sugar
- 0.5 cups Ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon White vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
Instructions
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crisp. Remove the bacon from the skillet, crumble, and set aside. Reserve 1 tablespoon of the bacon grease in the skillet.
In the same skillet with the bacon grease, add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the kidney beans, butter beans, pinto beans, and baked beans with their sauce. Stir well to combine.
Add the cooked ground beef, onion, and crumbled bacon to the bean mixture. Mix thoroughly.
In a smaller bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, ketchup, yellow mustard, white vinegar, salt, and black pepper. Pour this sauce mixture over the beans and meat, then stir until evenly distributed.
Transfer the mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish or a large oven-safe casserole dish.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the beans are bubbling and the top is slightly caramelized.
Remove from the oven and let cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. Enjoy your Calico Beans as a main dish or a hearty side!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3631 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 105.8 g | 136% | |
| Saturated Fat | 39.5 g | 198% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.9 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 369 mg | 123% | |
| Sodium | 8184 mg | 356% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 497.7 g | 181% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 96.6 g | 345% | |
| Total Sugars | 176.1 g | ||
| Protein | 199.7 g | 399% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 809 mg | 62% | |
| Iron | 40.1 mg | 223% | |
| Potassium | 7992 mg | 170% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
