Ground Beef and Beans Recipe: Easy Comfort Food!

by

A good ground beef and beans recipe is a weeknight champion. It’s simple, budget-friendly, and almost always a crowd-pleaser. Plus, it’s versatile! You can serve it as a side, make it a main course, or pile it high on nachos.

Of course, there are tons of variations out there, depending on where you are in the world (or what’s in your pantry). From chili to cowboy stew, every region puts its own spin on this classic dish.

This article provides a comprehensive guide to making delicious ground beef and beans, covering different cooking methods and ways to customize the recipe to your liking.

Core Ingredients: What You’ll Need

This is a flexible dish, so there are lots of ways to make it, but here are the basics.

Ground Beef

For maximum flavor and tenderness, go with ground beef that’s 80% lean and 20% fat. If you’re watching your fat intake, you can substitute leaner ground beef, ground turkey, or ground chicken.

Beans

Baked beans are the base of this dish, and it’s fine to take a shortcut and use canned. Bush’s is a reliable brand. You can also swap in different types of beans, like kidney, butter, or navy beans, for different flavors and textures.

Flavor Enhancers

You’ll need onion (diced), ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard to create the signature sweet-savory taste. Garlic powder, salt, and pepper round out the flavor profile. For a little extra zing, consider adding hot sauce, chili powder, or smoked paprika.

How to make ground beef and beans on the stovetop

This is the quickest and easiest way to make ground beef and beans. Here’s how:

  1. Sauté aromatics: Chop an onion and, if you like, a bell pepper. Cook them in a little olive oil or bacon grease until they start to soften.
  2. Brown the ground beef: Add the ground beef to the pan, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned, then drain off any extra grease.
  3. Combine ingredients: Stir in your favorite baked beans, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and any other seasonings you want to use.
  4. Simmer and Serve: Let the mixture simmer for at least 30 minutes, stirring every so often so it doesn’t stick. Taste and add more seasonings if needed.

Oven Method: Baked to Perfection

Want to set it and forget it? This recipe works great in the oven, too! You can use a Dutch oven or any other oven-safe dish.

  1. Prepare the base: Follow steps 1-3 from the stovetop method in an oven-safe dish. That’s browning the beef and onions, draining the fat, and adding the spices.
  2. Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake uncovered for 30-40 minutes, or until everything is bubbly and heated through.
  3. Optional cheese topping: If you want to get fancy, add a layer of shredded cheese during the last 15 minutes of baking. This will melt into a delicious, gooey topping.

Slow Cooker Method: The Easy Way

  1. Brown the beef (optional). If you want a richer flavor, brown the ground beef in a skillet before adding it to the slow cooker. You can skip this step if you’re short on time.
  2. Combine ingredients. Dump everything into your slow cooker, including the browned beef (if you browned it).
  3. Slow cook. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours. Stir it every so often to make sure everything cooks evenly.
  4. Adjust consistency. If your chili is too watery at the end, take the lid off for the last hour of cooking. That will let some of the liquid evaporate.

Flavor Variations and Add-Ins

This recipe is great as it is, but it’s also easy to customize to suit your tastes and whatever you have on hand. Here are a few ideas for inspiration:

Meat Variations

  • Bacon: Cooked and crumbled bacon can add a salty, smoky flavor.
  • Sausage: Italian sausage or chorizo can kick up the spice level.

Vegetable Enhancements

  • Bell Peppers: Diced green or red bell peppers add a touch of sweetness and crunch.
  • Jalapeños: For some extra heat, add diced jalapeños (remove the seeds for less spice).

Sweet and Tangy Twists

  • Molasses or Maple Syrup: Substitute for brown sugar for a richer, more complex sweetness.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar: A teaspoon or two can add a pleasant tanginess.

Spice It Up

  • Chili powder or smoked paprika: For a deeper, smokier chili flavor.
  • Cayenne pepper: If you want some real heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper.

Serving Suggestions and Pairings

This recipe goes well with almost anything! Here are some suggestions:

  • Side Dish: Serve it cold at potlucks, BBQs, and cookouts.
  • Main Course: Spoon it over rice, cornbread, or chili dogs.
  • Toppings: Top with sour cream, shredded cheese, or green onions.

Storing and Reheating

  • To store: Put any leftovers in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for 3-4 days, or freeze them for up to 3 months.
  • To reheat: Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring each time, or bake in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until it’s warm.

Wrapping Up

What’s great about this ground beef and beans recipe is how easy it is to make and how many different ways you can enjoy it. Feel free to play around with the seasonings and toppings to make it your own.

I hope you and your family enjoy it as much as we do!