Best Calico Baked Beans Recipe (Oven or Slow Cooker)

If you’re anything like me, you know that a good baked beans recipe can be the star of any cookout, potluck, or family dinner. That’s why I’m excited to share with you my absolute favorite: Calico baked beans.

If you prefer using an oven or a slow cooker, this recipe is versatile enough to accommodate both methods.  It has that rich, smoky flavor profile and includes a variety of beans, providing that traditional calico appearance and taste.

Now, enough of the chit-chat and, let’s get cooking!

Calico Baked Beans

Calico Baked Beans is a classic dish perfect for cookouts, potlucks, or family dinners. This recipe features a variety of beans for a colorful calico appearance and a rich, smoky flavor. You can prepare it in the oven for a quicker option or let it slowly simmer in the slow cooker. Either way, it's a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 8

Equipment

• 1 Large skillet
• 1 Baking dish or casserole dish
• 1 Mixing spoon
• 1 Aluminum foil
• 1 Large skillet
• 1 Slow cooker (4-6 quart capacity)
• 1 Mixing spoon

Ingredients

  

• 1/2 pound bacon diced
• 1/2 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion chopped
• 1 can (16 oz) pork and beans undrained
• 1 can (16 oz) red kidney beans drained
• 1 can (16 oz) lima beans drained
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon vinegar
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

 

Oven Method:

• Preheat the Oven:

  Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  
• Cook Bacon:

  In a large skillet, cook the diced bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove the bacon from the skillet and drain on paper towels.
  
• Cook Beef and Onions:

  In the same skillet, cook the ground beef and chopped onion over medium-high heat until the beef is browned and the onion is tender. Drain any excess fat.
  
• Combine Ingredients:

  In a large baking dish, mix together the pork and beans, kidney beans, lima beans, ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, dry mustard, salt, and pepper. Stir in the cooked bacon and beef mixture.
  
• Bake:

  Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the beans are bubbly and heated through.
  
• Cool and Serve:

  Let the beans cool for a few minutes before serving.
  

Slow Cooker Method:

• Cook Bacon:

  In a large skillet, cook the diced bacon until crisp. Remove the bacon and drain on paper towels.
  
• Cook Beef and Onions:

  In the same skillet, cook the ground beef and chopped onion over medium-high heat until browned. Drain any excess fat.
  
• Transfer to Slow Cooker:

  Transfer the cooked bacon and beef mixture to the slow cooker.
  
• Add Ingredients and Cook:

  Add the pork and beans, kidney beans, lima beans, ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, dry mustard, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together until well combined. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, until the beans are bubbly and heated through.
  
• Stir and Serve:

  Give the beans a good stir before serving.
  

Video

Summary

And there you have it, guys – Calico baked beans recipe that’s sure to impress at your next gathering. It doesn’t matter if you whip it up in the oven or let it simmer all day in the slow cooker, you’re in for a treat.

The combination of savory, sweet, and smoky flavors with those colorful beans is simply irresistible. Give it a try, and don’t be surprised if it becomes your go-to dish for every occasion.