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A hearty bowl of Crockpot Calico Beans made with kidney beans, cannellini beans, pork and beans, crispy bacon, and optional ground beef in a thick, glossy sweet-and-tangy sauce. Garnished with chopped parsley and served with a slice of warm cornbread on a rustic wooden table in cozy natural light, highlighting the rich, smoky flavors of this classic slow-cooker comfort food

Crockpot Calico Beans

Hearty Crockpot Calico Beans with bacon, optional ground beef, a mix of beans, and a sweet-tangy sauce of ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, and vinegar. Easy, crowd-pleasing, and perfect for potlucks or weeknight dinners.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Course: Side / Main
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • ½ pound diced bacon
  • 1 pound ground beef optional
  • 1 15-oz can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 15-oz can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 16-oz cans pork and beans, drained
  • ¾ cup ketchup
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • 1 yellow onion chopped
  • 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
  • 2 teaspoons white vinegar
  • Salt to taste

Equipment

  • Large skillet, slow cooker

Method
 

  1. In a large skillet, cook diced bacon (and ground beef if using) over medium heat until browned. Discard excess grease.
  2. Transfer bacon and beef to the slow cooker.
  3. Add kidney beans, cannellini beans, pork and beans, ketchup, brown sugar, onion, mustard, and vinegar. Stir to combine.
  4. Cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours.
  5. Stir, taste, and add salt if needed. Serve hot.

Notes

Brown the meat for best flavor. Drain beans as directed. Taste and adjust salt at the end. Tastes even better the next day. Freezes well. Excellent for potlucks—keep warm in the slow cooker. Adjust sweetness or tang to preference. Optional ground beef makes it heartier.