Calico Baked Beans with Beef and Bacon

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees Celsius).

Step 2

Cook and crisp the bacon in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Remove the bacon and drain it on paper towels, reserving one tablespoon of bacon fat in the pot.

Step 3

Add the ground beef, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper to the pot and brown the beef in the reserved bacon fat.

Step 4

When the beef is 50% browned, add the onion and garlic to the pot and continue browning the beef until thoroughly cooked.

Step 5

Add the cooked bacon back into the pot along with the drained canned beans (including and the pork and beans, with their liquid) and stir well.

Step 6

Add the remaining ingredients; ketchup, mustard, vinegar, brown sugar, liquid smoke, smoked paprika, smoked cumin, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix well and simmer on low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through.

Step 7

Cover and transfer the pot to the preheated 350-degree F oven (175 degrees Celsius), and bake for 45 minutes.

Step 8

Cool slightly and serve hot.