Description
This Calico Beans recipe is a hearty, comforting dish combining ground beef, bacon, and an assortment of beans baked in a tangy, sweet sauce. Perfect as a side or main dish, it blends smoky and savory flavors with a hint of sweetness for a classic Southern-style bean casserole.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Aromatics
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 4 ounces bacon (4 slices)
- 2/3 cup diced white onion
Sauce
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (100 grams)
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar (31 grams)
- 1 tablespoon mustard (15 grams)
- 1 teaspoon salt (5 grams)
- 1/2 cup ketchup (4 ounces)
Beans
- 15 ounces lima beans, 1 can, drained
- 15.5 ounces kidney beans, 1 can, rinsed and drained
- 28 ounces pork and beans, with juice, 1 can
Instructions
- Brown the Meat and Cook Onion: In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef along with the bacon and diced onion. Cook and stir until the beef and bacon are fully cooked. Drain off any excess fat.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, white vinegar, mustard, salt, and ketchup until fully combined. Set aside.
- Combine Beans: In a large Dutch oven or oven-safe casserole dish, add the drained lima beans, rinsed and drained kidney beans, and the entire can of pork and beans with its juice.
- Add Meat and Sauce: Add the cooked beef and bacon mixture to the beans, then pour the prepared sauce over everything. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly combined.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 300ºF (150ºC).
- Bake the Beans: Cover the dish with a lid or aluminum foil if a lid is not available. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes or until the mixture is heated through and bubbling.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve warm as a comforting side or main dish.
- Store Leftovers: Transfer any leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days to enjoy later.
Notes
- Use a Dutch oven or any heavy, oven-safe casserole dish for even cooking.
- When browning the meat, make sure to drain fat to prevent excessive greasiness in the final dish.
- If you prefer spicier beans, consider adding a pinch of chili powder or cayenne pepper to the sauce.
- Leftovers can also be frozen for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- This dish pairs beautifully with crusty bread or cornbread to soak up the flavorful sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (about 245g)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
