Calico Beans

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I learned how to make these Calico Beans in my early 20s from the mom of a friend.

Calico Beans


She said it was her go-to dish for potlucks.

What I love most is how versatile it is — I’ve never made it the same way twice.

Last night was my best batch so far and this is what I did.

Cut up a pound of bacon and cook until crispy.

Calico Beans

I use kitchen shears, but a knife will work too.

Calico Beans

Drain the bacon on a paper towel and remove all but a tablespoon of the bacon grease from the pan.

Cook a pound of lean ground beef in the pan with the bacon grease.

Calico Beans

Be sure to scrape up all of the brown bits.

Note: If you use ground chuck (or the like) you may need to drain the beef at this point.

When the beef is almost finished cooking, add a chopped onion and a little salt and pepper.

Calico Beans

Once the beef is good and brown, add a cup of ketchup and a cup of brown sugar.

Calico Beans

It makes a rich sauce.

Calico Beans

The original recipe calls for a couple tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, too.

One time I forgot to add it but didn’t miss it, so I just stopped using the vinegar all together.

The Beans: Red Kidney, Cannellini, Pork and Beans, and a small can of regular Baked Beans.

Calico Beans

Sometimes I use butter beans instead of cannellini beans.

Be sure to rinse the beans that aren’t in a sauce to remove that metal can taste.

Calico Beans

In a big bowl, mix together the ground beef and beans.

Calico Beans

Last but not least, add the bacon.

Calico Beans

Pour the beans into a casserole dish and bake for one hour at 350F.

Calico Beans

It doesn’t always take a full hour so keep an eye on it.

Calico Beans

Make this for your next gathering and watch your friends go crazy over it!

Trust me.

4.7 from 7 reviews
Calico Beans
Author: 
 
This is my go-to dish for potlucks and parties.
Ingredients
  • 1 lb Bacon
  • 1 lb Lean Ground Beef
  • 1 Onion, chopped
  • 1 C Ketchup
  • 1 C Brown Sugar
  • 1 Can Red Kidney Beans
  • 1 Can Cannellini Beans
  • 1 Can Pork and Beans
  • 1 Can of Baked Beans
  • Salt and Pepper
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350F.
  2. Cut up a pound of bacon and cook until crispy.
  3. Drain the bacon on a paper towel and remove all but a tablespoon of the bacon grease from the pan.
  4. Cook a pound of lean ground beef in the pan with the bacon grease.
  5. Be sure to scrape up all of the brown bits.
  6. If you use ground chuck (or the like) you may need to drain the beef at this point.
  7. When the beef is almost finished cooking, add a chopped onion and a little salt and pepper.
  8. Once the beef is good and brown, add the ketchup and brown sugar.
  9. Mix well.
  10. Rinse the Red Kidney Beans and Cannellini Beans in a colander to to remove that metal can taste.
  11. In a big bowl, mix together the ground beef and all of the beans.
  12. Gently stir on the bacon.
  13. Pour the beans into a casserole dish and bake for one hour at 350F. It doesn’t always take a full hour so keep an eye on it.

 

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