Calico Beans

Calico Beans are a classic side dish that can be found served at barbecues, family gatherings and potlucks. Made with a variety of different beans, it's further seasoned with both ground beef and bacon. The flavorful ingredients in the sweet and tangy sauce give it a zesty smoky edge that goes well with a variety of entrees from sloppy joes to grilled hot dogs, chicken, hamburgers, pork, steaks and more.

Calico Beans Recipe

Calico beans are one of those hearty casseroles that can serve as both as a side dish or an entrée. It's almost always found in some form at church and office potlucks as well as casual barbecues here in the South. That said, it's not limited to only warm weather. These beans make a tasty frugal entrée and are simply delicious ladled over a piece of hot buttered honey cornbread with a little green onion, hillbilly cole slaw or chow chow on top. When serving them that way, they transform into a stick-to-your ribs kind of meal.

Simple Ingredients Combine Into Spectacular Baked Beans

Calico beans recipes vary in ingredients and seasonings. Don't be intimidated by the ingredient list, this recipe calls for ingredients you likely already have stocked in your pantry. If you prefer a different combination of beans, there's room to adapt to your taste. I've also included the cooking times for making these beans in your slow cooker. Serve them as a side dish or turn them into an entire meal, either way, you can't go wrong. You may also like to try this Lima Bean Casserole from Spicy Southern Kitchen.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• 13 x 9 inch Baking Dish
• Mini Chopper
• 12 inch Cast Iron Skillet
• Flexible Chopping Mats

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Calico Beans

Prep Time20 mins

Cook Time1 hr 15 mins

Total Time1 hr 35 mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: calico-beans

Servings: 12 servings

Calories: 423kcal

Ingredients

• 8 oz sliced bacon
• 3 tablespoon bacon drippings
• 1 medium sweet onion diced
• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 16 oz cans pork and beans
• 2 16 oz cans light red kidney beans drained
• 1 16 oz can baby lima beans drained
• 1 cup ketchup
• ½ cup light brown sugar
• ¼ cup pure maple syrup
• 3 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoon whole grain mustard
• 1 Tbsp molasses
• 2 teaspoon dark chili powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 13 x 9 baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
  
  
• In a large pot or dutch oven, cook the bacon. Remove to a paper towel lined plate to drain. Reserve 3 tablespoon drippings in pan.
  
  
• Add the diced onion to the pot and cook for 2 minutes until the onion becomes translucent. Add the ground beef. Add seasoned salt and black pepper. Cook until no pink remains in the ground beef. Drain any excess fat from the pan before adding to the bean mixture. Remove from the heat.
  
  
• Add the remaining ingredients to the cooked ground beef and onions along with crumbled bacon. Mix well. (May reserve some bacon to sprinkle on top, if desired.)
  
  
• Pour into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 1 hour or until bubbly around the edges. Stir before serving.

  
  
  

Notes

Slow cooking method: Prepare beans per the recipe up to the point of pouring into the baking dish. Instead, pour into a 6 quart slow cooker spritzed with cooking spray. Cook on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 4-6 hours. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 423kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 36mg | Sodium: 1044mg | Potassium: 455mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 260IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 1mg

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