What kind of beans can I use in this Calico Bean Casserole? Oven cooking will create a much thicker consistency than in a slow cooker. Can you eat Calico Beans without cooking the beans?įor this hearty side dish, it is best to thoroughly cook your beans for 45 minutes to an hour, or if making Slow Cooker Calico Beans (or Crock Pot Calico Beans), cook for about 2.5 to 3 hours on high heat. Combine well and then transfer to a 9×13-inch baking dish.īake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes to an hour. Stir in all the beans and remaining ingredients. Crumble the crispy bacon over the top or cut each slice into pieces with kitchen shears. Transfer the ground beef to the mixing bowl with the cooked onions. My grandmother always told my dad that this was the secret to the absolute best calico beans recipe! Then drain all the fat from the skillet.īe sure to cook the bacon, onions, and ground beef separately to maintain each distinct taste and flavor. Brown the beef over medium-high heat until it’s crumbled and no longer pink. Season well with salt and pepper to your preferred taste. Transfer the cooked onions to a large mixing bowl.Īdd the ground beef to the pan. This will ensure the onions maintain an incredible flavor. Continue to stir and cook until the onions have softened and browned slightly. If needed, add a tablespoon or two of water to deglaze all the yummy bacon bits from the base of the skillet. Add the diced onions and reduce the temperature to medium heat. Spoon out all the bacon grease from the pan except for about 2 tablespoons. As each slice crisps, remove it with tongs and place it on a few paper towels to drain. Do not cook it with the beef or in the oven with the beans. 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauceĬook the bacon first and on its own, in a large skillet over medium-high heat so it becomes nice and crispy. Mustard, 1 tablespoon mustard (or substitute 1 teaspoon of dry mustard).Vinegar, 1 tablespoon vinegar (or substitute white wine vinegar).Brown sugar, 2/3 cup brown sugar (or more to taste if you’d like!).Ketchup, 1/2 cup ketchup (or substitute barbeque sauce).Navy beans, 1 16-ounce can – drained and rinsed in a colander (may substitute lima beans, butter beans, or northern beans).Kidney beans, 1 15-ounce can- drained and rinsed in a colander.Ground beef, 1 pound ground beef (or substitute for lean ground beef, ground turkey, pork sausage or ground chicken).What do you need to make Calico Beans? Here is your ingredient checklist or jump down to the recipe card below: Substitute the beans, if you’d like, with your favorites and you can even swap out the ground beef for ground turkey, pork sausage, or chicken while maintaining its sweet and tangy flavor. Spice it up with some chili flavors for more of a Cowboy Beans dish. It’s hearty enough to qualify as your main dish or keep it as the perfect side dish. You can add more beans, less meat, or even no meat, for my vegetarian friends. One of the many great things about this tasty Calico Beans recipe is how versatile it is. This just may be the absolute easiest ground beef and bean recipe ever – that’s not only foolproof but full of fiber and protein while smothered in a delicious salty-sweet sauce. It even had a drive-in and carhops! My dad loved spending time there throughout his 6th through 9th-grade years and I’m thankful he’s passed this special recipe on to us. It was called the Topper Cafe in Blair, Nebraska on Washington Street. His mom (my grandma), Enid, served it for years in her own restaurant. Tasty Calico Beans is a sweet and savory recipe that’s loaded with beef, bacon, beans, and a tangy sauce! It’s a childhood favorite of mine that has been passed down through four generations in our family! It is usually served as a great side dish at large family gatherings but it could easily be the main course of a hearty dinner!įor decades my dad (aka Gramps) has been serving this recipe at every single holiday, party, or family get-together! It is always a hit with all the guests, including the kids, and we are usually left with little to no leftovers.
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