Cowboy Beans a.k.a. Calico Beans

$8.07 total / $0.81 per serving

This meal is VERY filling and packed with protein. If you want to make a 'manly' sort of meal that is a little different, this is it! When I made this for my husband, I started calling it Cowboy Beans instead of its traditional name because it just sounded right. You can find a variation of this dish at potlucks all over the midwest, especially at football team dinners.

Nutritional Highlight: Butter Beans. Beans are high in fiber that can help lower cholesterol as well as regulate blood sugar. Butter beans, also known as lima beans, are large and buttery in texture. This legume is also an amazing source of folate, protein, various vitamins and minerals. 

Cowboy Beans  (serves 8-10)

1 lb. Hamburger, browned and drained
1/2 lb. Bacon, browned and drained
1 medium Onion, chopped
1 medium Green Bell Pepper, chopped
1 cup Frozen Corn *optional
3/4 cup Ketchup
1/2 cup Brown Sugar
2 tsp Brown Mustard
2 tsp White Vinegar
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Ground Mustard
1 tsp Soy Sauce
1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
1 can Navy Beans
1 can Kidney Beans
1 can Pork & Beans
1 can Butter Beans

Brown hamburger and bacon over medium heat. Drain off all grease. Add all ingredients in a crockpot set to low (include all liquid from canned beans). Cook all day until you are ready for dinner.

You can also bake this in the oven at 350 degrees for 1 hour. I think it is better, however, slow cooked so the flavors blend.

Serve with Jalapeño Cheddar Corn Muffins.

Nutritional Analysis:

Per serving: 366 calories, 12.3g fat, 50.4g carbohydrates, 17.8g protein and over 15% daily value of Vitamin B-12, Copper, Folate, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Niacin, Phosphorus, Selenium, Thiamin and Zinc