Sweet, smoky, and salty come together for a satisfying meal.

If you love a good bean dish then no doubt you’ve tried an endless variety of chili and baked bean recipes. But, there’s an old Southwestern favorite that not many people know about called calico beans, so-named for the many different colors of beans used to create this hearty dish that resemble the colorful, small-pattern fabric that was so popular in the 1800s.

Serves 8
15m prep time
5h cook time
258 calories

INGREDIENTS

1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil
1 lb lean ground beef
1 onion, diced
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup ketchup
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
1 (16 oz) can butter beans, drained
1 (16 oz) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 (16 oz) can pork and beans
1 (16 oz) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained

PREPARATION

Heat the oil over medium-high heat and add the ground beef. Cook until browned, about 5 minutes.

Add beef and rest of ingredients to a slow cooker. Set to low and cook for 4-5 hours. Serve with bread, cornbread, or rice if desired.