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Cowboy Beans With Molasses

Tina Cooper
Today I’m thrilled to share one of my ultimate comfort dishes: Cowboy Beans with Molasses. Imagine a combination of beans and savory meat all cooked slowly to perfection, enveloped in a deep molasses sauce. 
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 45 minutes
Course Main dish, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 16 Servings
Calories 312 kcal

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Spatula

Ingredients
  

  • 2 yellow onions diced into ½-inch pieces (about 2 cups)
  • 1 pound bacon crisped and chopped into ½-inch pieces
  • 2 tablespoons bacon fat
  • 1 pound ground beef browned and crumbled
  • 3 cans 14 ounces each kidney beans
  • 3 cans 14 ounces each navy beans
  • 3 cans 14 ounces each baked beans
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • ½ cup blackstrap molasses
  • 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

Instructions
 

Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients

  • Start by prepping all your ingredients. Chop the onions and bacon into ½-inch pieces. Open and drain the cans of beans.

Step 2: Cook the Bacon

  • In a large pot, cook the bacon pieces over medium heat until they are crispy. Remove the bacon and set it aside, but leave about 2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the pot.

Step 3: Sauté the Onions

  • Add the diced onions to the bacon fat in the pot. Cook them until they are soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 4: Brown the Ground Beef

  • Add the ground beef to the pot with the onions. Cook until the beef is browned and crumbled, breaking it up with a spatula as it cooks. Drain any excess fat if necessary.

Step 5: Combine Ingredients

  • Add all the beans, tomato sauce, brown sugar, molasses, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and smoked paprika to the pot. Stir to combine thoroughly.

Step 6: Simmer

  • Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 7: Add Bacon

  • Once the stew has thickened and the flavors have melded together, stir in the crispy bacon pieces. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes and then remove from heat.

Step 8: Serve

  • Serve hot, and enjoy! Cowboy Beans with Molasses are best enjoyed fresh off the stove, but they taste even better the next day.

Notes

  • Don’t Rush the Simmer: Allow the beans to simmer for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.
  • Bacon Choices: Use thick-cut bacon for a meatier texture.
  • Sweetness Balance: If you want a less sweet version, reduce the amount of brown sugar.
  • Spice it Up: Add a dash of hot sauce or chili flakes for some heat.
  • Storage: This dish can be frozen for up to three months. Just make sure to cool it completely before freezing.

Nutrition

Calories: 312kcal
Keyword Cowboy Beans With Molasses
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