This hearty Kielbasa Cowboy Beans dish is the ultimate comfort food that combines savory kielbasa, ground beef, and bacon with sweet and tangy baked beans. It’s a crowd-pleasing one-pot wonder that’s perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or game day gatherings. The slow-baked blend of smoky meats and beans creates a rich, flavorful dish that’s substantial enough to stand on its own but versatile enough to complement various meals!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Hearty and Filling: This isn’t just a side dish—it’s substantial enough to be the star of the meal with its protein-packed combination of kielbasa, ground beef, and bacon.
- One-Pot Wonder: Everything comes together in a single Dutch oven, meaning less cleanup and more time enjoying your meal.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: These beans actually taste even better the next day, making them perfect for meal prep or when you want to prepare something in advance.
- Crowd-Pleaser: The blend of sweet, savory, and smoky flavors appeals to nearly everyone—it’s the dish people will request again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Kielbasa: Adds a wonderful smoky flavor and hearty texture. The browned edges contribute a depth of flavor that’s irreplaceable.
- Ground Beef: Provides substance and savory richness that makes these beans truly filling.
- Yellow Onion: Creates a flavor foundation for the dish. Don’t skip this—it mellows as it cooks and sweetens the overall profile.
- Green Bell Pepper: Adds a fresh, slightly sweet crunch that balances the richness of the meats.
- Garlic Salt and Onion Powder: These convenient seasonings add depth without requiring fresh garlic chopping—perfect for busy cooks.
- Bacon: Everything’s better with bacon! It adds a smoky, salty crunch that elevates the entire dish.
- Brown Sugar: Just enough sweetness to balance the savory components. It also helps create that sticky, wonderful glaze.
- Baked Beans: The base of our dish—they already come with sauce and seasonings, making our job easier.
- Barbecue Sauce: Adds tanginess and that distinctive barbecue flavor—use your favorite brand for a personal touch.
- Dijon Mustard: Brings a subtle sharpness that cuts through the richness and balances the sweet elements.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Variations
- Spicy Version: Add a diced jalapeño with the bell pepper or mix in some cayenne pepper or hot sauce for heat lovers.
- Bacon Alternatives: Substitute diced ham or even smoked turkey for a different flavor profile.
- Bean Varieties: Try mixing in some pinto beans, black beans, or kidney beans for different textures and flavors.
- Vegetarian Option: Skip the meats and double up on beans, adding a dash of liquid smoke to maintain that smoky flavor.
How to Make Kielbasa Cowboy Beans
Step 1: Brown the Kielbasa
Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a 4-quart Dutch oven over medium heat, brown the kielbasa slices on both sides until they develop a nice caramelized edge, about 4-5 minutes. Remove to a plate and set aside.
Step 2: Cook the Beef Mixture
In the same pot (don’t wipe it out—that’s flavor!), add the ground beef, diced onion, bell pepper, garlic salt, and onion powder. Cook until the beef is no longer pink and the vegetables have softened, about 7-9 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
Step 3: Combine All Ingredients
Return the browned kielbasa to the pot and add the crumbled bacon, brown sugar, baked beans, barbecue sauce, and Dijon mustard. Stir everything together until well combined, making sure to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
Step 4: Bake Until Bubbly
Cover the Dutch oven with its lid and transfer to the preheated oven. Bake for 1 hour, or until the beans are hot and bubbly and the sauce has thickened slightly. The slow baking allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Bacon Preparation: Cook the bacon until crisp before adding it to the beans. You can do this in advance to save time.
- Caramelization is Key: Don’t rush browning the kielbasa—those caramelized edges add tremendous flavor to the final dish.
- Dutch Oven Alternative: If you don’t have a Dutch oven, brown everything in a skillet, transfer to a baking dish, cover with foil, and bake.
- Thickness Control: If your beans seem too thick, add a splash of water or chicken broth. If too thin, leave uncovered for the last 15 minutes of baking.
How to Serve
Main Course
Serve these beans in a bowl with a side of cornbread or crusty bread for sopping up the delicious sauce.
Side Dish
These beans pair beautifully with grilled meats, especially barbecued chicken, ribs, or brisket.
Potluck Star
Transport your Dutch oven to the gathering (if possible) and keep it warm on a low heat setting. Provide small bowls or paper boats for serving.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
These beans actually improve with time as the flavors continue to develop. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezing
This dish freezes beautifully. Cool completely, then portion into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Add a splash of water when reheating as the beans will thicken when frozen.
Reheating
Reheat refrigerated leftovers in the microwave or on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water if needed to loosen the sauce. For frozen portions, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
FAQs
-
Can I make Kielbasa Cowboy Beans in a slow cooker?
Absolutely! Brown the kielbasa and beef mixture on the stovetop first, then transfer everything to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours. The slow cooker method is perfect for hot summer days when you don’t want to turn on the oven.
-
What’s the best type of barbecue sauce to use?
This really comes down to personal preference. A sweet, smoky barbecue sauce works wonderfully, but feel free to use whatever style you enjoy most. If you’re a fan of tangier sauces or spicier varieties, those work great too and will give the dish your personal stamp.
-
Can I substitute the ground beef with another protein?
Yes! Ground turkey, pork, or chicken all work well in this recipe. You could even use plant-based ground meat substitutes if you’re looking to reduce your meat consumption while keeping the dish hearty.
-
My family doesn’t like bell peppers. What can I use instead?
You can simply omit the bell peppers or substitute with celery for crunch, diced carrots for sweetness, or even mild chili peppers if you want to maintain a similar texture with a different flavor profile.
Final Thoughts
These Kielbasa Cowboy Beans represent comfort food at its finest—smoky, savory, slightly sweet, and completely satisfying. What makes this dish truly special is how it brings together simple ingredients to create something greater than the sum of its parts. It’s the kind of recipe that becomes a family tradition, with its rich flavors and hearty presence on the table. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just looking for a satisfying meal with plenty of leftovers, these beans deliver every time. Give them a try—your kitchen will smell amazing, and your taste buds will thank you!
Print
Kielbasa Cowboy Beans Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 12 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 27 minutes
- Yield: 12 people 1x
- Category: Side-dishes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
A hearty and robust Kielbasa Cowboy Beans recipe, combining smoky kielbasa, savory ground beef, baked beans, and a tangy barbecue sauce for a flavorful, comforting dish that’s perfect for family gatherings or potlucks.
Ingredients
Kielbasa and Beef
-
- 1 ring (13.9 ounces) kielbasa, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced (approximately 1 cup)
- 1 green bell pepper, diced (approximately 1 cup)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Other Ingredients
- 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 cans (28 ounces each) baked beans
- 1/2 cup (140 g) barbecue sauce
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F to prepare it for baking later in the recipe.
- Brown the kielbasa: In a 4-quart, heavy-bottom, oven-safe pot (like a Dutch oven) over medium heat, add the kielbasa slices and cook, turning occasionally, until both sides are browned. This should take about 4-5 minutes. Transfer the browned kielbasa to a plate and set aside.
- Cook ground beef and vegetables: Using the same pot, add ground beef, diced onion, diced green bell pepper, garlic salt, and onion powder. Cook the mixture until the beef is no longer pink and the vegetables are softened, which should take about 7-9 minutes. Drain any excess grease from the pot.
- Add remaining ingredients: Return the kielbasa to the pot. Then, add the cooked and crumbled bacon, brown sugar, baked beans, barbecue sauce, and Dijon mustard. Stir everything together thoroughly to combine.
- Bake the mixture: Cover the pot and bake it in the preheated oven for 1 hour. The beans should come out hot, bubbly, and thickened when finished. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Feel free to adjust the seasonings (like garlic salt and onion powder) to your taste.
- If you don’t have a Dutch oven, you can transfer the mixture to a baking dish after preparing it on the stovetop.
- This recipe stores well—store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat leftovers on the stovetop or in the microwave for best results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
