Perfect for a summer barbecue or an autumn tailgate party, this dish is quick to make! Gather your crockpot and all the ingredients. Pour, stir and cook on low for 3-4 hours. Perfection for a side dish with brats or burgers. Or make it a main dish with a tossed salad.
This recipe is foolproof and flexible and known also as Trucker, Cowboy or Prairie Beans. Chips* contributed it to the Quasquicentennial cookbook and I have tweaked it several ways, including using the crockpot. Her family prefers the deeper flavor from baking and a little extra kick. Chips adds 1 tablespoon mustard and 1 teaspoon chili powder, though she warns against using beans or BBQ sauce with chili flavor. She also uses Splenda brown sugar and has used ham instead of bacon. My sister Bee uses Campbell’s pork n beans from the original recipe, but I like Bush’s baked beans because they are “thicker”. Kidney beans, dark or light, it doesn’t matter, but do pick up the low sodium version on your grocery shelf. (Less salt = good for you.) And I sometimes add a can of black beans for their nutritional value. If you are looking for the recipe so you can get going and get to the party on time, scroll on down and hit print. But you already know that this is a great dish for crowds because it will fill your crockpot. And you also know that it is perfect for potlucks and picnics. Besides your family.
But, if you gasped when you saw the picture of the ingredients and thought “does she know how many carbs are in those beans?”, then read on. Legumes, which is what these beans are called, are in a special class. Yes, they are higher in carbs – but they also have a built in protein and plenty of fiber. Legumes tend to be absorbed more slowly into the blood stream. The slower absorption keeps blood sugar levels more even and keeps you feeling full and satisfied longer than more quickly digested foods. Eating healthy for the long term requires a balanced diet that takes into account all your nutritional needs. The soluble fiber helps lower cholesterol and keep you regular. Protein is necessary for energy and strong muscles. Good– and good for you.
* Full Disclosure: Chips’ brother married my sister Kay. Millions of beans were consumed in the evolution of this recipe with no harm done.
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Ingredients
- 2 cans Pork n Beans or baked beans 28 oz each
- 1 can red kidney beans, drained (dark or light)
- 1 can lima beans, drained (or Great Northern beans, drained)
- 1 pound lean ground beef, browned and drained
- 8 slices bacon, crisped and cut into pieces
- 1/4 cup catsup
- ¼ c Barbecue sauce
- 1 medium onion, diced
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup white sugar
- 1 tsp chili powder, optional
- 1 tbsp. mustard, optional
Instructions
- Spray crockpot (It took me forever before I tumbled to this simple tip! )
- Brown and drain ground beef and bacon.
- While they are cooking, put all other ingredients into crockpot, turned on low.
- Add cooked meats and stir gently until blended.
- Cook on low for about 3 hours.
- OR can also bake at 350 in 9x13 pan, uncovered for 1 hour
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We all change and so does the way we make recipies. Mine has morphed to aways useing Bush’s original beans for “Three Bean” but only use one 28 oz can to 1 15 oz each of the lima and kidney. Depending on my mood use 3/4 to 1 pound of each bacon and browned hamburger. Don’t use near that much onion (can’t stand biting into the nasty things!) usually just brown hamburger with 1T of minced onions, salt, and pepper and that covers those seasonings. Chili powder to taste (again depending on my mood but usually close to the full teaspoon.) My recipe also calls for 1/3 cup each white and brown sugars. Hubby is required by workers to take this to their quarterly meeting they have if they are accident free. Never have any leftovers!!
Thanks so much for stopping by and adding your new and updated version! And you figured out my sister code!
Smart cookie! Like that the dish gets used as the reward for no accidents!