Description
Calico Beans is a hearty and flavorful baked bean dish combining ground beef, bacon, and a medley of beans in a sweet and tangy sauce. Perfect for potlucks, casual dinners, or as a comforting side, this recipe offers a rich, savory experience with a hint of sweetness and acidity, topped with optional cheese or served with crunchy chips.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Meat and Bacon
- 1 lb ground beef
- 8 slices bacon, chopped
Vegetables and Beans
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 (28-ounce) can pork and beans, do not drain
- 1 (16-ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (16-ounce) can butter beans
- 1 (8.5-ounce) can lima beans
Sauces and Seasonings
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar or white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Brown the Meat and Bacon: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and chopped bacon, cooking until halfway browned. This allows the flavors to meld and bacon to start crisping.
- Cook the Onion: Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook until the beef is fully browned, the bacon is crispy, and the onion is soft, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess grease to prevent greasiness in the dish.
- Add Beans and Sauces: Stir in the pork and beans, kidney beans, butter beans, and lima beans along with ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, and mustard. Mix well to combine everything evenly.
- Simmer: Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for approximately 25 minutes, stirring several times to develop flavors and prevent sticking.
- Season: Taste the mixture and add salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed. Stir to incorporate the seasonings evenly.
Notes
- For extra zest, substitute BBQ sauce for ketchup, or add some hot sauce for a spicy kick.
- You can use any combination of kidney beans, butter beans, and lima beans based on preference or availability.
- Serve hot topped with shredded cheddar cheese or a handful of crunchy corn chips for added texture.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave at reduced power to prevent beans from exploding.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (about 240g)
- Calories: 294 kcal
- Sugar: 13g
- Sodium: 344mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0.4g
- Protein: 13g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
