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!

Oven Method Recipe for Calico Baked Beans

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound bacon, diced
• 1/2 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 can (16 ounces) pork and beans, undrained
• 1 can (16 ounces) red kidney beans, drained
• 1 can (16 ounces) 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

1. Like with many other types of food, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large skillet, cook the diced bacon until crisp. Remove the bacon from the skillet and drain on paper towels.
3. 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.
4. In a large baking dish or casserole, combine 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.
5. Mix everything well and cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, until the mixture is bubbly and heated through.
7. Remove from the oven and let it sit for a few minutes before serving.

Slow Cooker Method Recipe for Calico Baked Beans

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound bacon, diced
• 1/2 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 can (16 ounces) pork and beans, undrained
• 1 can (16 ounces) red kidney beans, drained
• 1 can (16 ounces) 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

1. In a large skillet, cook the diced bacon until crisp. Remove the bacon from the skillet and drain on paper towels.
2. 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.
3. Transfer the cooked bacon and beef mixture to the slow cooker.
4. Add the pork and beans, kidney beans, lima beans, ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, dry mustard, salt, and pepper to the slow cooker. Stir everything together until well combined.
5. Cover and cook on low heat for 4-6 hours, or on high heat for 2-3 hours, until the mixture is bubbly and heated through.
6. Stir before serving.

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.