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Calico Beans Recipe

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Looking for an amazing baked beans recipe? These calico beans with bacon are simply amazing! Made with a pound of bacon, along with three types of beans, peppers and onions, this calico beans recipe is a must for any barbecue, cookout or potluck.

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Need an amazing baked beans recipe? This Calico beans with bacon will be a stand-out recipe for your next cookout or summertime barbecue.

Simmered together in a sweet and tangy barbecue sauce, these baked beans can be heated on the stove-top or kept warm in a crock pot to serve at any gathering or party.

What do I need to make Calico beans?

  • Bacon – smokey bacon is what gives these calico beans their heartiness.
  • Yellow onion – great for flavor and texture to go along with the beans
  • Green bell pepper – the green pepper will provide great texture, color and volume to the beans.
  • Baked beans – I recommend using a simple can of baked beans with no extras or add-ins.
  • Kidney beans – just like what you would use for chili, kidney beans are one of the three beans you’ll use. They will provide a great color and volume.
  • Butter beans – these large flat, white beans provide great contrast and variety to the calico beans.

What to include in the sauce for the calico beans recipe:

  • Tomato sauce – provides a great base for the sauce.
  • Brown sugar – will provide that sweet barbecue flavor. If you want to cut down on the sugar, you can substitute Swerve Brown Sugar Substitute.
  • Molasses – this adds a wonderful richness to the sauce. A traditional ingredient in many barbecue sauce recipes.
  • White vinegar – you could also use apple cider vinegar to achieve that tangy sauce flavor.
  • Worcestershire sauce – will provide a great depth of flavor to the sauce.
  • Ground mustard powder – found in many barbecue sauce recipes, ground mustard provides amazing flavor and tanginess to the sauce.
  • Salt – great for seasoning the sauce. You could also substitute garlic salt as well.
  • Ground pepper – also great for seasoning.

For exact ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions be sure to scroll down to the bottom of the post for the recipe. Thanks!

Browned bacon in the bottom of a Dutch oven with wooden spoon on the side.
Bacon along with sauteed peppers and onions and beans for a Calico beans recipe.

How do I make Calico beans?

The first step to making calico beans is to cook the bacon. Cut the bacon strips into small half inch pieces. Brown the bacon in a Dutch oven or large skillet. Transfer the cooked bacon to a plate lined with paper towels. Drain off most of the bacon grease from the pan.

To the same Dutch oven, sauté the pepper and onion until soft and translucent.

To the Dutch oven add the kidney beans, baked beans, and butter beans along with the peppers and onions and bacon.

Sauce for the calico beans recipe with small whisk on the side.
Calico beans with bacon in a large Dutch oven.

What kind of sauce is in calico beans?

Like traditional baked beans, calico beans are made with a sweet, tangy barbecue sauce.

What do I need to make sauce for calico beans?

To make the sauce for calico beans, you’ll need tomato sauce, brown sugar, molasses, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, ground mustard, salt and pepper.

This sauce is whisked together and then poured over the beans, bacon, peppers and onion. Stir together to coat all ingredients, then bring the beans to a low simmer.

Calico beans with bacon in a Dutch oven with onions and tomatoes on the side for garnish.

Love making your own barbecue sauce? Check out our favorite homemade barbecue recipes that are great for chicken, chops and even burgers:

Browned ground beef that can be added to calico beans with bacon.

Ingredient Substitutions and Recommendations for Calico Beans with Bacon:

  • Ground Beef – many recipes for Calico beans call for browned ground beef. In fact, this is how my mom makes it! The ground beef makes it a very hearty dish, and can be served as an entree. Fantastic for camping and camp-outs!
  • Apple Cider Vinegar – ACV can be substituted for white vinegar in the sauce. This is a great swap out and will provide a great tangy flavor to the sauce.
  • Other Bean Varieties – try adding black beans, Great Northern beans or even chickpeas to the bean mixture. A variety of beans offers a great color contrast and heartiness to the dish.

For exact ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions be sure to scroll down to the recipe at the bottom of the post. Thanks!

Need some other cookout sides? These are some of our top side dish recipes that are great for cookouts, barbecues and potlucks:

Calico beans with bacon being spooned out of the pot.

Can calico beans be made in a slow cooker?

Yes, calico beans can be heated in a slow cooker or a crock pot. This is a great way to serve the beans at a cookout or potluck. Heat the beans on low for 2-3 hours, then reduce the heat to warm when serving.

These Calico Beans make for a fantastic cookout side. Here are some of our top recipes from the grill to go with these beans:

BBQ burgers topped with french fried onions, bacon, cheese and bbq sauce.
BBQ Bacon Burgers
The ultimate recipe for glazed pork chops! Coated with an apple cider glaze, and grilled to perfection, these sweet and savory grilled pork chops are perfect any time you're in the mood for meat!
Apple Cider Glazed Pork Chops
Four air fryer bratwurst topped with mustard and sauerkraut in pretzel rolls.
Air Fryer Brats
Meet your new favorite BBQ Pork Chops recipe! These super-simple grilled pork chops are made with a homemade honey bourbon barbecue sauce, and grilled to perfection. This will be your new favorite way to grill pork chops!
Honey Bourbon BBQ Pork Chops
BBQ chicken legs on plate, garnished with parsley.
BBQ Grilled Chicken Drumsticks
Shredded bbq chicken sandwich on a plate with carrots.
Slow Cooker Shredded BBQ Chicken

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Calico beans with bacon in a Dutch oven with onions and tomatoes on the side for garnish.

Calico Beans Recipe

Erin Indahl-Fink
Looking for an amazing cookout side dish? This calico beans recipe with bacon is fantastic served with burgers, chops, steaks and bbq chicken.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 12 servings
Calories 229 kcal

Equipment

  • Large Stock Pot or Dutch Oven This Le Creuset Dutch oven is one of my all-time favorite pieces of cookware. Super durable and versatile! Great for soups and stews.
  • Cutting Boards This 3-Pack of non-slip cutting boards are a fantastic tool for every home cook.
  • Slow Cooker My Cuisinart Slow Cooker / Multi-Cooker is on of my favorite appliances! Great for serving and keeping the beans warm at a cookout or potluck.

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb. bacon cut into small pieces
  • 1 yellow onion chopped, about 1 cup
  • 1 green bell pepper chopped, about 1 cup
  • 2 (22 oz. cans) basic baked beans
  • 1 (15.5 oz. can) kidney beans, rinsed
  • 1 (15.5 oz. can) butter beans, rinsed

Sauce:

Instructions
 

  • Cut the bacon into half-inch pieces. In a large Dutch Oven or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat, brown the bacon to a medium crispness. Remove bacon from from skillet, transferring to a plate or bowl. Drain off the majority of the grease, leaving some grease in the skillet. Over medium-high heat, sauté the onion and pepper for 5-7 minutes or until onion is translucent.
  • To the onions and pepper, add in the baked beans, kidney beans, butter beans and bacon.
  • In a bowl, combine the tomato sauce, brown sugar, molasses, vinegar, Worcestershire, mustard, salt and pepper. Whisk together until combined. Pour over the bean mixture. Stir all ingredients together until well coated and combined.
  • Bring to simmer over medium-low heat. Reduce to low, and continue to simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve right away.

Notes

Heating Option for Oven: Bake at 350 for 45 minutes.
Slow Cooker Heating Option: Heat on low for 2-3 hours.
Beans can be served warm or cold.
Storage: Store any leftover beans in an airtight container at room temperature. Beans will keep for 5-7 days when kept refrigerated.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 229kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 5gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.05gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 471mgPotassium: 272mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 17gVitamin A: 53IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 35mgIron: 1mg
Keyword calico beans, calico beans recipe, calico beans with bacon
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Comments

  1. Ellie Wright says

    My go to cookout dish is grilled red potatoes with red onions and garlic, butter and Italian dressing.

    Reply

  8. Natalie says

    My go to cookout dish is chicken shish kabobs with chicken, mushrooms, onions and bell peppers drizzled with a honey and soy sauce.

    Reply

  9. Julie Wood says

    My go to cookout dish is potato salad with bacon, mayo, eggs, pickles, red potatoes and mustard. So delicious!

    Reply

  20. Steve Weber says

    My go to cookout menu is burgers, seasoned fries and baked beans, corn on the cob too!

    groogruxking40 @ gmail dot com

    Reply

  21. heather says

    My go to cookout menu is baked beans, hot dogs, hamburgers and my homemade potato salad.

    Reply

  34. April V. says

    For cookouts I always offer to bring the cookies. Mostly because I don’t want to have to worry about keeping things hot or cold. I know, I’m lazy!

    Reply

  55. Ashley C says

    We have a great baked beans recipe that we always make for cookouts! I also love to make up some dessert! Homemade icecream or banana pudding is always a hit!

    Reply

  67. Tamra H says

    My go-to cook out meal is pasta salad with colorful noodles, veggies, parm, and italian salad dressing.

    Reply

  69. Debbie B says

    potato salad is my go to cookout recipe – goes with pretty much anything hubby may decide to cook on the grill

    Reply

  70. Barbara Montag says

    My go to cook out recipe – I have to have chicken kabobs – chicken bell peppers mushrooms and onions. Marinated in Italian dressing.
    thank you

    Reply

  84. Gina M says

    My go-to cookout recipe is pasta salad with homemade italian dressing.

    Thanks for the chance to win!
    wildorchid985 at gmail dot com

    Reply

  85. Stephanie Larison says

    My go to cookout recipe is macaroni salad. Sometimes I’ll do potato salad to switch it up.

    Reply

  91. Crystal F says

    We normally bring the slaw since my hubby makes a killer slaw and cookies. thank you!

    Reply

  105. Carolyn D says

    I love cheeseburgers and hot dogs for a cook out with a side of beans, salad, and chips.

    Reply

  107. Peter G says

    Red Potato Salad. I always use red potatoes because I feel they taste the best in salads and other dishes.

    Reply

  108. Tracey byram says

    7 layer salad; layers of lettuce, cucumber, celery, green peas, mayo, shredded cheddar, bacos

    Reply

  109. Susan Climan says

    I have to have mozzarella and tomato salad at my cookouts. It really brings a fresh element to all of the meat!

    Reply

  123. Linda says

    Wow! Bacon I guess. These look awesome. Thanks for sharing at What’d You Do This Weekend? You will be featured next week. Have a great weekend.

    Wishes for tasty dishes,
    Linda

    Reply

  125. Natalie A says

    Oh my goodness, these look so good! I now know why they are called bacon lover’s baked beans! You probably can not go wrong with these baked beans! Baked beans are my favorite side dish at summer parties! Thank you for sharing this recipe!

    Reply