These gluten free cowboy baked beans are the kind of recipe that makes everyone at the table go back for seconds. Ground beef, crispy bacon, four types of beans, and a rich smoky BBQ sauce all come together in one dutch oven and bake into the most hearty and satisfying dish you will ever make. The combination of butter beans, navy beans, kidney beans, and pork and beans gives every bite a different texture and the bold sauce made with brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, yellow mustard, and BBQ sauce is sweet, tangy, and absolutely irresistible.
Ready in just 45 minutes and completely gluten free from start to finish.
This recipe works beautifully as both a hearty main dish and a crowd pleasing BBQ side dish which makes it one of the most versatile recipes in my summer rotation.
It is the dish I bring to every summer cookout, Fourth of July gathering, and potluck because it feeds a crowd, travels well, and gets even better the next day reheated.
If you are looking for a gluten free BBQ recipe that is guaranteed to impress, this is the one. You will make it once and it will become a permanent fixture in your summer recipe lineup.
If you are looking for more ground beef recipes you might also enjoy my Gluten Free Ground Beef Pasta Casserole, my Easy Ground Beef Nacho Casserole, my Instant Pot Beef and Vegetable Soup, my Gluten Free Creamy Beef and Mushroom Pasta, or my Gluten Free Instant Pot Chili Mac and Cheese.
You can also find more recipes here: 10 Easy Gluten Free Beef Recipes
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Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
In your dutch oven over medium heat pour the olive oil and cook the ground beef until just a little pink remains. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic and cook 3-4 minutes more until the onion is translucent.
Add the bacon, barbecue sauce, butter beans, pork and beans, navy beans, kidney beans, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, yellow mustard, ground mustard, gluten free Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper to the beef mixture and stir to combine.
Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes.
Let cool slightly before serving.
Supplies
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Gluten Free Cowboy Baked Beans
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These easy gluten free cowboy baked beans are the ultimate hearty comfort food made with ground beef, crispy bacon, four types of beans, and a rich smoky BBQ sauce all baked together in one dutch oven in just 45 minutes. A crowd pleasing gluten free recipe that works as a hearty main dish or the best BBQ side dish for summer cookouts, potlucks, Fourth of July, and easy weeknight dinners!
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp. Olive Oil
- 1 pound Ground Beef
- 1 large Onion, chopped
- 2 Tbsp. Minced Garlic
- 1 pound Bacon, cooked and chopped
- 2 cups Barbecue Sauce
- 16 ounce can Butter Beans, drained and rinsed
- 15 ounce can Pork and Beans
- 15 ounce can Navy Beans, drained and rinsed
- 15 ounce can Kidney Beans, drained and rinsed
- ¼ cup Brown Sugar
- 2 Tbsp. Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 Tbsp. Yellow Mustard
- 1 tsp. Ground Mustard
- 2 tsp. Gluten Free Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 ½ tsp Sea Salt
- 1 tsp. Coarse Ground Black Pepper
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
In your dutch oven over medium heat pour the olive oil and cook the ground beef until just a little pink remains. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic and cook 3-4 minutes more until the onion is translucent.
Add the bacon, barbecue sauce, butter beans, pork and beans, navy beans, kidney beans, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, yellow mustard, ground mustard, gluten free Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper to the beef mixture and stir to combine.
Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes.
Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
Be sure to use certified gluten free Worcestershire sauce in this recipe. Standard Worcestershire sauce is not gluten free as it typically contains malt vinegar which is made from barley. Always check the label carefully and look for a product that is specifically labeled certified gluten free. Lea and Perrins is one of the most widely available brands and their Worcestershire sauce is considered gluten free in the United States, but always verify the label on the bottle you purchase to be sure.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Dish, Beans
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
If you make these Gluten Free Cowboy Baked Beans I would love to hear what you think! Leave a star rating and a comment below and let me know what occasion you served them for.
Don't forget to save this recipe to your Pinterest boards so you can find it again all summer long!
Storage
Store leftover gluten free cowboy baked beans in a sealed airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 5 days. These beans reheat beautifully and the flavor gets even better the next day as the sauce continues to develop overnight. Reheat on the stovetop over medium low heat stirring occasionally until warmed through, or microwave individual portions in a covered bowl. These cowboy baked beans also freeze well. Store in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Top Tip
Do not drain the pork and beans before adding them to the dutch oven. The liquid in the can is part of what creates the rich and saucy base for these cowboy baked beans. All of the other canned beans should be drained and rinsed as the recipe calls for, but keeping the pork and beans liquid in the pot adds flavor and helps the sauce come together beautifully during baking. If you drain all four cans of beans the finished dish will be too thick and dry rather than saucy and rich.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cowboy baked beans are a hearty and flavor packed version of classic baked beans that are loaded with meat, typically ground beef and bacon, along with multiple types of beans and a rich smoky BBQ sauce. Unlike traditional baked beans which are usually served as a simple side dish, cowboy beans are substantial enough to serve as a complete main course. The combination of sweet, smoky, and tangy flavors from the BBQ sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and mustard is what makes them so irresistible.
Absolutely and I actually recommend it! These beans taste even better the next day after the flavors have had more time to develop and meld together overnight in the refrigerator. You can assemble the entire dish and bake it a day ahead, then reheat it covered in a 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes before serving. They are also a great make ahead option for summer cookouts and potlucks since they travel well and reheat beautifully.
Yes! To make these in a slow cooker, brown the ground beef and cook the onion and garlic on the stovetop first, then transfer everything to your slow cooker and add all of the remaining ingredients. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours. The slow cooker version is a great option for summer entertaining because it keeps the beans warm throughout the party without heating up your kitchen.
Any BBQ sauce you enjoy works well in this recipe. Just make sure to check the label and use a certified gluten free BBQ sauce as many store bought versions contain gluten. A smoky or hickory flavored BBQ sauce gives the beans the most classic cowboy flavor but a sweet BBQ sauce works beautifully too. If you prefer a spicier version look for a chipotle or spicy BBQ sauce for an extra kick.
Yes! If you want to make a meatless version you can omit the ground beef entirely and the beans will still be hearty and delicious thanks to the bacon and the four types of beans. You can also substitute ground turkey or ground chicken for the beef if you prefer a lighter option. The cooking time and method remain the same regardless of which protein you choose.
Absolutely. The four bean combination of butter beans, navy beans, kidney beans, and pork and beans is what gives these cowboy beans their hearty texture and variety but you can easily swap in whatever canned beans you have on hand. Great northern beans, black beans, or cannellini beans all work well as substitutes. Just remember to drain and rinse all of the canned beans except for the pork and beans, which should go in with their liquid for the best sauce consistency.
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