Texas Cowboy Beans

By
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches is a grilling and barbecue expert. He has written two cookbooks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 04/7/23
Tested by
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Tested by Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Cowboy Beans

Bob Ingelhart / Getty Images

Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 2 hrs 30 mins
Total: 2 hrs 45 mins
Servings: 6 to 8 servings
Yield: 10 cups

In Texas, beans mean pinto beans—the Lone Star state grows a lot of them, after all. These beans are more than just beans, though. They are a perfect one-pot meal that cooks slowly over the course of several hours, resulting in a pot of Texas cowboy pinto beans that you will love to savor.

The beans are cooked up with barbecue sauce and brisket burnt ends, which are the trimmings from brisket and often considered a delicacy. These Texas cowboy beans would be hearty on their own or can be served alongside coleslaw and mac and cheese as a perfect side dish for barbecue brisket. If you don't have burnt ends or don't have access to a barbecue joint that sells them, try a grilled steak, and don't be afraid to char the edges a bit. The beans take on a smoky, meaty flavor from being cooked with the burnt ends.

"The Texas cowboy beans were perfectly spiced, easy to prepare, and they made a tasty, satisfying meal with freshly baked cornbread. I let mine cook for 25 minutes longer with the lid off to thicken them a bit more. These beans would be a great side dish for a cookout or potluck." —Diana Rattray

Texas Cowboy Beans
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 1 pound dried pinto beans

  • 6 to 8 cups water

  • 1 (14-ounce) can whole tomatoes

  • 2 cups coarsely chopped cooked brisket, preferably burnt ends

  • 1 large onion, coarsely chopped

  • 1 cup barbecue sauce

  • 3 medium jalapeño peppers, seeded and coarsely chopped

  • 6 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 tablespoon chili powder

  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin

  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, more to taste

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Wash and drain the beans. Put the beans in a large saucepan or Dutch oven.

  3. Stir in the water, tomatoes, brisket, onion, barbecue sauce, jalapeños, garlic, chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, and cumin.

  4. Bring to a boil over high heat while stirring constantly.

  5. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally (be sure to stir the beans up from the bottom of the pot to prevent burning and to assure even cooking).

  6. Add the salt, cover, and continue to cook, stirring occasionally (from the bottom of the pot) until the beans are tender, another 1 to 1 1/2 hours. If the sauce has not thickened, remove the lid and continue to cook, uncovered, for the last 15 to 25 minutes.

  7. The beans are done when they're soft but still hold their shape and the sauce has thickened. Adjust the seasoning, if necessary, and serve.

What to Serve With Cowboy Beans

Texas cowboy beans can be served as a main dish or side dish. Here are some side ideas that go well with these hearty, spicy beans.

Bread: Warm, freshly baked cornbread, biscuits, or crusty bread to soak up the juices.

Potato Salad: A creamy mayonnaise-based potato salad or a German-style vinegar-based potato salad is an excellent choice.

Coleslaw: Choose a tangy, creamy coleslaw or North Carolina-style vinegar potato salad.

Tossed Salad: Add a tossed green salad with a simple vinaigrette.

Roasted Vegetables: Roasted potatoes, sweet potatoes, or root vegetables are delicious alongside cowboy beans.

Grilled Vegetables: Serve the cowboy beans with grilled eggplant, zucchini, onions, okra, or corn on the cob.

Sauces: Serve the beans along with chunky tomato salsa or relish.

Variations

  • You can skip the hot peppers if you don't like them and substitute with bell peppers instead, although the dish really tastes better with a bit of heat.
  • Replace the brisket with another meat choice, such as sliced grilled steak, pulled pork, beef short rib meat, or spare ribs.
  • For a smokier flavor, add 1 teaspoon of liquid smoke to the beans along with the Worcestershire sauce and barbecue sauce.
  • Add a red or yellow bell pepper for extra color and flavor.
  • Replace the jalapeño peppers with red Fresno peppers for additional color.
  • If you don't have dried beans or you'd prefer a faster cooking meal, you can use canned beans. The dish will cook in much less time. Make sure you add a cup of water for simmering along with the barbecue sauce and tomato sauce. The beans should be ready in about 1/2 hour, although longer cooking over low heat will simply intensify the flavor. Just take care not to let the beans break down.

How to Store and Freeze Texas Cowboy Beans

These beans will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. This dish will freeze well in an airtight container or zip-close freezer bag for up to six months. You can cook them from frozen in a saucepan over medium heat or defrost them in the refrigerator before reheating them.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
382 Calories
7g Fat
63g Carbs
18g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6 to 8
Amount per serving
Calories 382
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 7g 9%
Saturated Fat 2g 12%
Cholesterol 18mg 6%
Sodium 838mg 36%
Total Carbohydrate 63g 23%
Dietary Fiber 11g 40%
Total Sugars 21g
Protein 18g
Vitamin C 18mg 91%
Calcium 125mg 10%
Iron 5mg 25%
Potassium 1147mg 24%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)