Kielbasa Cowboy Beans are a mix of kielbasa, ground beef, bacon, and baked beans, sweetened with brown sugar and finished with barbecue sauce and Dijon mustard. I could eat the entire pot of these beans, I loved them so much! Adding kielbasa takes my already hearty Cowboy Beans to the next level of meaty flavor. They are filling enough to stand alone; just add a side of cornbread, and you’ve got a complete meal.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Kielbasa: I have been loving all things kielbasa lately, this recipe included! In fact, I have a growing list of Keilbasa recipes you may want to check out. Kielbasa (sometimes called ring sausage) is a flavorful, lightly smoked sausage that is pre-cooked. You could also use Andouille sausage, Mexican Chorizo, or other sausages as substitutes.
- Ground Beef: Ground beef is an extra layer of meatiness in the baked beans recipe. You could also use ground turkey or ground chicken. For more of a BBQ flavor, try adding pulled pork to the beans.
- Vegetables: I added a yellow onion and a green bell pepper to the beans. Some substitutions are red bell peppers, carrots, celery, corn kernels, or diced zucchini.
- Bacon: Cook and crumble the bacon before adding it to the pot. (Check out my How to Bake Bacon to get it made ahead of time!) I like thick-cut bacon so it stands out when mixed in with the other ingredients. But, any bacon you have on hand would work, even turkey bacon.
- Baked Beans: Look for your favorite brand of baked beans to use in the recipe. I like Bush’s Original Baked Beans.
- Barbecue Sauce: I have a homemade BBQ sauce that would be delicious in this recipe! Or, use your favorite kind of barbecue sauce.
- Dijon Mustard: Dijon mustard adds a tangy flavor that balances the sweetness of the brown sugar and barbecue sauce. It helps make the beans taste richer. If you don’t have Dijon, you can use yellow mustard. It will still add tang but taste a little milder.
Best Sides To Serve With Kielbasa Cowboy Beans
These kielbasa cowboy beans are hearty enough to be the main course! Here are some delicious side dishes that would pair wonderfully with the beans:
- Cornbread (or cornbread muffins)
- Coleslaw
- Garlic Breadsticks
- Roasted Asparagus
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
- Macaroni and Cheese
Storing & Reheating Kielbasa Cowboy Beans
To store kielbasa cowboy beans, first, let them cool to room temperature. Next, store the beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will last up to 3-4 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Can I Freeze Kielbasa Cowboy Beans?
Yes, you can freeze these cowboy beans to enjoy later! To freeze, first, let the cowboy beans cool to room temperature. Next, store them in a freezer-safe container or bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to reheat the beans, let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Kielbasa Cowboy Beans
Ingredients
- 1 ring (13.9 ounces) kielbasa, sliced into ½-inch rounds
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced (approximately 1 cup)
- 1 green bell pepper, diced (approximately 1 cup)
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 cans (28 ounces each) baked beans
- ½ cup (140 g) barbecue sauce
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a 4-quart, heavy-bottom, oven-safe pot (like a Dutch oven) over medium heat, add kiebasa, turning occasionally, until browned on both sides, about 4-5 minutes.
- Transfer kielbasa to a plate and set aside.
- To the same pot, add ground beef, onion, bell pepper, garlic salt, and onion powder. Cook until the beef is no longer pink, 7-9 minutes. Drain grease.
- Add the browned kielbasa, cooked bacon, brown sugar, baked beans, barbecue sauce, and Dijon mustard. Stir to combine.
- Cover and bake for 1 hour. (When done, the beans should be hot and bubbly and thickened.) Serve warm.
Did you make this recipe?
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What the Test Kitchen had to say about this recipe:
Autumn
These are SO GOOD! The kielbasa and ground beef add so much flavor, and the barbecue sauce makes it taste a little sweet and smoky.
Elizabeth
I could not get enough of these cowboy beans with kielbasa! Filling and so flavorful!!!
Annabelle
The beans and sauce in this dish were nice and thick, and the smoky bacon and sausage were perfect. Super easy to make, too!
Bella
These cowboy beans are packed with flavor. I like the green peppers in there.
Selena
This dish is so comforting and filling! The beans, meat, and sauce are perfect together. I liked the hint of sweetness from the brown sugar and barbecue sauce. I’ll definitely make it again!
Doubled this recipe and made it for our annual Ice Fishing bonanza with roughly 15 guys. 4 days and nights of great grub and this was maybe the hit of the trip. I will certainly be asked to bring this again next year. My aunt makes something similar to this for family potlucks, but the sausage adds a whole new dimension to it, making it a stand-alone dish versus a side. Pretty outstanding. (I did have most items on hand, but I subbed a portion of the baked beans for Cannellini beans I had on hand – and I used one kielbasa and one Johnsonville Andouille sausage.) Knockout.
Amazing!!! Thank you for sharing!
This bean recipe sounds so good, I can’t wait to try it!
I’ve made this for years, but never with kielbasas. I love the added ingredient.