How long it takes: 1 hour Equipment you’ll need: skillet, 9 x 13 inch baking dish Servings: 8 as a main dish, up to 12 as a side This dish is a hearty version of baked beans. Like cowboy beans and beef chili, calico beans are meaty, cooked with bacon and ground beef. This means you can make them a meal or make them a side dish. They are an absolute hit at backyard barbecues and potlucks. Plus, because they’re so hearty, they go a long way to serve a crowd.
Reasons To Love Calico Beans
Super filling. Baked beans are satisfying to begin with, but add beef and bacon, and you’ve got a dish that’s extra hearty. You can serve calico beans with cornbread as a main dish, kind of like chili but with a sweeter, milder sauce. Guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Not only do calico beans make enough for a party, they’re also super popular, especially when served alongside burgers and hot dogs (or air fryer hot dogs). I took calico beans to a family gathering, and they were a HUGE hit! Easy to make. Because this recipe uses canned beans, it’s a cinch to put together. Just cook the bacon, onions, and beef, combine, then bake until the sauce is thick and bubbly. You can make it ahead and put it in your crockpot, too. Budget-friendly. Made with beans, ground beef, and pantry staples, calico beans are as economical as they are delicious. When we’re all pinching pennies at the grocery store, that’s a win!
Ingredient Notes
Refer to the recipe card below for measurements, instructions, and nutrition information in a printable format.
Bacon: The bacon itself adds meatiness to the calico beans, and the drippings add lots of flavor when you use them to cook the onion. Ground Beef: I recommend using lean ground beef. If you prefer, substitute ground turkey. Onion: A standard yellow onion will work here, or try a sweet onion like Vidalia or Walla Walla. Light Brown Sugar: If you only have dark brown sugar on hand, you can use that; it simply has a stronger molasses flavor. Ketchup: Using ketchup as the base means calico bean sauce tastes a little like barbecue sauce. White Vinegar: Vinegar adds a nice tangy note. You can substitute apple cider vinegar if you’d like. Dry Mustard: Mustard has a sharp, punchy quality that enhances the overall flavor of this baked calico beans recipe. Garlic Powder: Using garlic powder gives the beans a savory flavor without the strength of freshly minced garlic cloves. Beans: Use a combination of canned butter beans, kidney beans, and lima beans, rinsed well and drained. Pork and Beans: Unlike the rest of the beans for this recipe, the pork and beans should not be drained. Their sauce will add flavor to your calico beans!
How To Make Calico Beans
Get ready. Preheat your oven to 350℉. Open the cans of beans and rinse them; drain well. Chop the onions. Want to make calico beans in the crockpot? It’s easy to do! Brown the bacon, onion, and beef in a skillet; then combine all the ingredients in a crockpot. Cook on Low for 6 to 8 hours or High for 3 to 4 hours, stirring occasionally. Cooking time is flexible. As soon as the beans are completely heated through, they’re ready to eat. Cook the bacon. In a large skillet, cook the bacon (work in batches if you need to). When it’s crisp, transfer it to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain off the excess fat. Once the bacon has cooled, cut it into ½” pieces. Note: If you prefer, you can cut the bacon into one inch pieces before you cook it. Cook beef and onions. Sauté the onions in bacon drippings until they’re softened, then add the ground beef and cook until it’s browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as you cook. Make sauce. While the meat is browning, whisk the brown sugar, ketchup, vinegar, dry mustard, and garlic powder in a medium bowl. Combine. Stir the beans and bacon into the skillet, then stir in the sauce. If your pan isn’t large enough to hold everything, put all the ingredients into the baking dish and stir it well. Bake. Pour the calico bean mixture into a large baking dish. You can use a 9 x 13 inch pan or a large casserole dish. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 45 minutes, or until the sauce is hot and bubbly.
Recipe Variations
Use barbecue sauce: Instead of brown sugar and ketchup, swap in your favorite barbecue sauce (or homemade BBQ sauce) to put a different spin on this calico beans recipe. You’ll need 1 ¾ cups of sauce, and you’ll still need to add the vinegar, dry mustard, and garlic powder. Make them spicy: Cayenne pepper will give a little (or a lot!) of spicy heat to these calico beans. Add as much as you like. Skip the red meat: Use ground turkey and turkey bacon instead. If you want vegetarian calico beans, just leave the meat out. Add 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika or liquid smoke, if you like. A plant-based meat can be substituted, too.
Serving Ideas
Meats: Calico beans pair well with crockpot BBQ chicken, crockpot ham, and Instant Pot pork chops. Try them with slow cooker ribs or air fryer Italian sausage. Cornbread: A classic accompaniment to calico beans! Try whole wheat cornbread or this cornbread muffin recipe with herbs and cheddar. Cookout and Potluck Favorites: Crunchy, creamy coleslaw, old fashioned mac and cheese, and potato salad all top my list.
Make Ahead Ideas
Prepare your calico beans all the way to the point of baking. Then, cover the baking dish with foil and refrigerate for up to 2 days before baking, or freeze for up to 3 months.
Storage & Reheating Tips
Refrigerate/Freeze: Store leftover calico beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. They can also be frozen in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Reheat: If frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat the beans in a pan on the stovetop over medium heat or in the microwave until warmed through.
Leftover Love
Spoon leftover calico beans over baked potatoes (or sweet potatoes) for an easy, budget-friendly dinner. You can also use them to make sheet pan nachos with shredded cheddar cheese. Interested in a weekly meal plan that includes this recipe? Take a look at Meal Plan #75. You’ll find a wholesome recipe for each weekday plus a categorized grocery list. We add a new meal plan weekly. Quick-Start Guide!
