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Cast iron pan with calico beans featuring kidney beans, butter beans, and pork and beans with ground beef and bacon in a sweet and savory sauce.

Grandma's Calico Beans

Grandma's calico beans recipe is meaty and delicious. Three kinds of beans cook in a sweet and savory sauce with ground beef and bacon. This hearty dish is a perfect side for a BBQ, but is substantial enough to make a meal out of.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time55 minutes
Total Time1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 12 Servings
Author: Carlee

Ingredients

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • ½ pound bacon
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 16 ounce can kidney beans drained
  • 16 ounce can butter beans drained
  • 15 ounce can pork and beans
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon mustard powder
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350℉.
  • Slice 1 pound lean ground beef into small pieces.
  • Put the bacon pieces, 1 pound lean ground beef, and 1 medium onion in a large skillet. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the meat is browned and the onions are translucent. Drain any excess grease.
    Cast iron skillet filled with browned ground beef, bacon, and diced onion.
  • Add the 16 ounce can kidney beans, 16 ounce can butter beans, and 15 ounce can pork and beans.
    Butter beans, kidney beans, and pork and beans added to pan with hamburger, bacon, and onions.
  • Stir in the ½ cup brown sugar, ½ cup granulated sugar, 1 Tablespoon vinegar, ½ teaspoon mustard powder, and ½ cup ketchup.
    Ketchup, brown sugar, and seasonings added to pan with beans and meat.
  • Transfer to a casserole if using. Otherwise, you can leave the mixture in the skillet if it is oven safe. Bake uncovered for 40 minutes.
  • Stir and adjust the seasoning to taste.

Notes

Feel free to mix and match your favorite beans. 
You can cook the beans in a crockpot instead of the oven if you prefer. Cook the mixture on high for about 2 hours or low for at least 4. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1Serving | Calories: 299kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 53mg | Sodium: 1056mg | Potassium: 476mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 52IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 53mg | Iron: 3mg
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