Slow Cooker Calico Beans Recipe

Slow Cooker Calico Beans are a hearty, sweet and tangy mix of pork and beans, kidney beans, and butter beans simmered with ground beef in a rich sauce. Also known as cowboy or trucker beans, they get their name from the colorful mix of beans. Made with pantry staples, they are budget friendly and freezer friendly. Serve them as a side for barbecues or a filling main dish. Ready in about 4 hours in the slow cooker, this recipe serves 8.

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bowl of calico beans and a blue and white napkin

These Calico Beans are the definition of set it and forget it recipe. A colorful combination of beans, mixed with hearty ground beef, all simmered in a tangy sauce.

You might know them as cowboy beans or trucker beans, and the name calico comes from the colorful mix of beans, just like the multicolored fur on a calico cat.

The crockpot does all the work, so you can toss everything in and feel free to do anything else. They are budget friendly, feed a crowd, and freeze beautifully for later.

Serve them as a side next to burgers, BBQ chicken, hot dogs, or scoop them into a bowl and load them up chili style with cheddar, sour cream, and jalapeños.

More Slow Cooker Recipes

Garlic Steak Bites – tender, buttery steak
Crockpot Taco Casserole – cheesy Tex Mex layers made hands off
Crack Chicken – creamy bacon and ranch shredded chicken
Mississippi Chicken – tangy butter braised slow cooker chicken

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individual ingredients for a recipe with text overlay labeling them

See recipe card for complete information on ingredients and their quantities.

Ingredient Notes

Ground Beef – Use 90/10 or 85/15 lean since it cooks in one pot and you don’t want excess fat. Brown and drain it before you add it to the slow cooker. Ground turkey, lamb, or sausage all work great too.

Beans – The classic trio is canned pork and beans, kidney beans, and butter beans. Swap in cannellini, black, navy, or pinto if you prefer. The mix of colors is what makes them calico.

Brown Sugar – I use light brown to add just a little sweetness. You can use dark brown sugar to add a little more old fashioned molasses flavor.

Vinegar – White vinegar cuts through all the sweetness and helps keep the beans from turning mushy as they cook. Do not skip it! Substitute apple cider vinegar if you like.

Ketchup – This is the base of the sauce so just use your favorite brand. BBQ sauce makes a great swap for a smokier flavor.

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How To Make Crockpot Calico Beans

crockpot full of beans, ground beef, and onions

Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium high heat until no longer pink. Drain off the fat if you like. Combine the beans, cooked ground beef, and the rest of the ingredients in the slow cooker bowl.

Give everything a stir, cover, and cook on low for 4 hours. Be sure to stir it once or twice while cooking to keep it from sticking. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm, topped with fresh parsley or green onions if you like.

For the full recipe and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Storage & Reheating

Refrigerator: Cool leftovers completely and store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Reheat: Warm in the microwave in 30 second intervals, or in a saucepan over medium low heat until heated through. I like to use a pan because beans tend to bust open in the microwave.

Freezer: Freeze in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat on the stovetop until warm. The beans will be slightly softer.

Make Ahead: These are perfect for prepping ahead and reheat well, so they’re a great dish to make before a party.

close up of slow cooker bowl full of beefy calico beans

Variations

Smoky: Add a splash of liquid smoke or a sprinkle of chipotle powder for a smoky depth.

Different Meat: Swap the beef for breakfast sausage, smoked sausage, or ground pork. Or leave it out all together and have a version of baked beans.

Add Bacon: Stir in crumbled bacon, because everyone needs more bacon.

Extra Tangy Flavor: Add a spoonful of mustard, or use BBQ sauce in place of the ketchup.

Spice It Up: Stir in pickled jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne for heat.

More Potluck Sides

Homemade Potato Salad – classic creamy Southern style with eggs and celery
Cornbread Salad – layered Southern salad with crumbled cornbread
Frito Corn Salad – crunchy salty corn salad with creamy dressing
Jiffy Corn Casserole – sweet and savory cornbread side dish

close up of white bowl full of meaty beans

Can I Make These in the Oven or on the Stovetop?

Yes, calico beans can be made using a few different methods. For the oven, brown and drain the beef, transfer to a 2 quart baking dish, add the remaining ingredients, cover with foil, and bake at 350°F for 45 minutes to an hour until heated through.

For the stovetop, brown the beef in a Dutch oven, add everything else, bring to a simmer, and cook about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. Same great flavor, faster than the slow cooker.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are they called calico beans?

The name comes from the colorful mix of different beans, which resembles the coat of a calico cat. They are also known as cowboy beans or trucker beans.

Can I make calico beans ahead of time?

Absolutely. They reheat really well and even taste better the next day as the flavors intensify. Perfect for prepping before a party.

Can I use dried beans instead of canned beans?

Yes, just rinse, soak, and cook them separately until tender first. A heaping 1/2 cup of dried beans equals one 15 ounce can, or about 1 1/2 cups cooked and drained.

Can I freeze them?

Yes! They freeze well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat on the stovetop.

Are these a side dish or a main dish?

Both! They are a classic barbecue side, but hearty enough with the ground beef to serve as a main dish. Serve them in a bowl like chili with your favorite toppings.

What can I serve with slow cooker calico beans?

They are delicious next to burgers, BBQ chicken, hot dogs, or cornbread. As a main, top them with cheddar, sour cream, and jalapeños.

slow cooker bowl with wood spoon and ground beef and beans

Recipe Tips & Tricks

Brown and drain the beef first so the dish is not greasy.
Do not skip the vinegar. It balances the sweetness and keeps the beans from getting mushy.
Use a slow cooker liner for easy cleanup.
Swap ketchup for BBQ sauce if you want a smokier sauce.
Top with cheddar, sour cream, and jalapeños to serve them chili style as a main.

This Crockpot Calico Beans recipe is hearty, sweet, tangy, and practically make itself. Toss them in the slow cooker for your next cookout and watch the whole pot disappear!