Instant Pot Cowboy Beans – This Instant Pot Cowboy Beans recipe is the perfect meal for those who love flavorful and hearty dishes. It’s a one-pot dish that’s made with a combination of beans, beef, kielbasa, and bacon, and infused with a rich and tangy sauce. The Instant Pot allows you to cook the beans and meat quickly and easily, resulting in a satisfying meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
This Instant Pot Cowboy Beans recipe has become a staple in my household! My husband and I absolutely love the combination of flavors, and it’s so easy to make. The first time we made it, we were blown away by the depth of flavor and how filling it was. It’s become one of our go-to meals when we’re craving something hearty and comforting.
Why This Recipe is So Good?
- The combination of beans, beef, kielbasa, and bacon makes for a hearty and filling meal that’s perfect for any occasion.
- The rich and tangy sauce is made with a variety of ingredients, including ketchup, bbq sauce, molasses, brown sugar, and yellow mustard, which gives the dish a unique flavor profile.
- Cooking the beans and meat in the Instant Pot allows the flavors to meld together quickly and easily, resulting in a delicious and satisfying meal in no time.
Ingredients:
- 16 ounces (454 g) dried pinto beans
- 8 cups (1.89 L) water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 pound (226 g) ground beef
- 1/2 pound (226 g) kielbasa, sliced
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 medium yellow or sweet onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2/3 cup (158 mL) water
- 1/2 cup (120 mL) ketchup
- 1/2 cup (120 mL) BBQ sauce
- 1/4 cup (60 mL) molasses
- 1/4 cup (50 g) packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons chili powder, I like to use chipotle
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 3/4 teaspoon liquid smoke
Directions:
Rinse the dried pinto beans and add them to the Instant Pot along with 8 cups of water and 1 teaspoon of salt. Cover the Instant Pot with the lid, set to “Manual” and Pressure Cook on high for 25 minutes. Allow the pressure to release naturally.
Once the pressure is released, remove the lid and pour the beans into a colander to drain.
Set the Instant Pot to “Sauté” mode. When hot, lightly spray the pot with cooking spray and add the ground beef and kielbasa. Cook, breaking apart the ground beef, until browned. Hit “Cancel” and remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
Drain the grease from the Instant Pot. Set to “Sauté” mode again. When hot, add the chopped bacon and onion. Cook until the bacon is crispy. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Hit “Cancel” and drain about half of the grease off.
While cooking the bacon, stir frequently to avoid burning.
Add 2/3 cup of water to the Instant Pot and scrape up any brown bits on the bottom to prevent getting a burn signal. Add in ketchup, bbq sauce, molasses, brown sugar, yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, paprika, and liquid smoke. Stir to combine.
Return the beans, ground beef, and kielbasa to the Instant Pot and stir to mix everything together. Place the lid on the Instant Pot and set it to “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” mode for 15 minutes.
If you get a burn signal, remove the lid if the pin is still down. If it is not down, release the pressure and then remove the lid. Stir in about 1/4 cup of water and use a wooden spoon to scrape the bottom really well. Place the lid back on, making sure the pin is in the “sealing” position.
Once the time is up, let the Instant Pot do a natural pressure release. When the pin drops, remove the lid and serve.
Notes:
- This recipe can be customized to your liking by adjusting the amount of spices or adding additional ingredients like diced bell peppers or jalapenos.
- Liquid smoke is a key ingredient in this recipe as it adds the smoky flavor that you would get from cooking the beans over an open flame for hours.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to five days or frozen for up to three months.
- To make this recipe vegetarian or vegan, you can omit the meat and use vegetable broth instead of water.
In conclusion, Instant Pot Cowboy Beans is a delicious and hearty meal that will surely satisfy your taste buds. This recipe is packed with flavor and nutrition, making it a great choice for any meal of the day. Whether you are cooking for your family or friends, or just craving some comfort food, these beans are sure to hit the spot. With the help of your Instant Pot, you can have a delicious and filling meal in no time at all. So why not give this recipe a try and see how it can add some variety and excitement to your meals!
FAQ
Can I use canned beans instead of dried beans?
Yes, you can use canned pinto beans instead of dried beans. If using canned beans, reduce the water to 1 cup and the cooking time to 5 minutes.
What can I use instead of kielbasa?
You can use any type of smoked sausage or even diced ham as a substitute for kielbasa.
What is liquid smoke and where can I find it?
Liquid smoke is a flavoring agent that is used to add a smoky flavor to dishes. You can find it in most grocery stores in the condiment or spice aisle.
Can I make this recipe on the stove instead of in an Instant Pot?
Yes, you can make this recipe on the stove. Simply soak the beans overnight, drain and rinse, then cook in a large pot with the remaining ingredients for 1-2 hours or until the beans are tender.
Instant Pot Cowboy Beans
Ingredients
- 16 ounces 454 g dried pinto beans
- 8 cups 1.89 L water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 pound 226 g ground beef
- 1/2 pound 226 g kielbasa, sliced
- 6 slices bacon chopped
- 1 medium yellow or sweet onion chopped
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2/3 cup 158 mL water
- 1/2 cup 120 mL ketchup
- 1/2 cup 120 mL BBQ sauce
- 1/4 cup 60 mL molasses
- 1/4 cup 50 g packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons chili powder I like to use chipotle
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 3/4 teaspoon liquid smoke
Instructions
- Rinse the dried pinto beans and add them to the Instant Pot along with 8 cups of water and 1 teaspoon of salt. Cover the Instant Pot with the lid, set to "Manual" and Pressure Cook on high for 25 minutes. Allow the pressure to release naturally.
- Once the pressure is released, remove the lid and pour the beans into a colander to drain.
- Set the Instant Pot to "Sauté" mode. When hot, lightly spray the pot with cooking spray and add the ground beef and kielbasa. Cook, breaking apart the ground beef, until browned. Hit "Cancel" and remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- Drain the grease from the Instant Pot. Set to "Sauté" mode again. When hot, add the chopped bacon and onion. Cook until the bacon is crispy. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Hit "Cancel" and drain about half of the grease off.
- While cooking the bacon, stir frequently to avoid burning.
- Add 2/3 cup of water to the Instant Pot and scrape up any brown bits on the bottom to prevent getting a burn signal. Add in ketchup, bbq sauce, molasses, brown sugar, yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, paprika, and liquid smoke. Stir to combine.
- Return the beans, ground beef, and kielbasa to the Instant Pot and stir to mix everything together. Place the lid on the Instant Pot and set it to "Manual" or "Pressure Cook" mode for 15 minutes.
- If you get a burn signal, remove the lid if the pin is still down. If it is not down, release the pressure and then remove the lid. Stir in about 1/4 cup of water and use a wooden spoon to scrape the bottom really well. Place the lid back on, making sure the pin is in the "sealing" position.
- Once the time is up, let the Instant Pot do a natural pressure release. When the pin drops, remove the lid and serve.
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