Pioneer Woman's Campfire Beans

Savor the comforting flavors of Pioneer Woman’s Campfire Beans, a hearty, smoky dish perfect for outdoor cookouts or cozy family dinners. This one-pot recipe combines crispy thick-cut bacon, tender pinto beans, and a rich medley of spices like smoked paprika, chili powder, and cumin to create a deeply flavorful, slow-simmered masterpiece. Enhanced with a touch of brown sugar and tangy tomato paste, these beans strike the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy. Ready in under an hour, this rustic recipe can be whipped up using a trusty cast-iron skillet, making it an ideal choice for camping trips or easy weeknight meals. Serve these campfire beans as a standout side to grilled meats, or enjoy them solo with a slice of buttery cornbread for a soul-satisfying meal.

Nutriscore Rating: 78/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 6 slices thick-cut bacon
• 1 medium, diced yellow onion
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 4 cups, cooked or canned (drained and rinsed) pinto beans
• 1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon (or to taste) salt
• 0.5 teaspoons (or to taste) black pepper
• 1 cup water
• 1 teaspoon (optional) hot sauce

Directions

Step 1

Cut the bacon into bite-sized pieces. In a large cast-iron skillet or a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside on a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.

Step 2

Add the diced onion to the pan with the bacon fat and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute, stirring frequently to prevent burning.

Step 3

Stir in the cooked pinto beans, diced tomatoes (with their juices), and tomato paste. Mix well to combine.

Step 4

Add the brown sugar, smoked paprika, chili powder, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper. Stir to evenly distribute the seasonings.

Step 5

Pour in the water and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Lower the heat to medium-low and let the beans cook for 30-35 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. If the beans become too thick, add a splash of additional water.

Step 6

Taste the beans and adjust seasoning as needed. If you prefer an added kick, stir in a teaspoon of hot sauce.

Step 7

Once the beans have thickened to your desired consistency and flavors have melded together, stir the cooked bacon back into the pot.

Step 8

Remove from heat and serve hot. These campfire beans are great on their own or as a side dish for grilled meats or cornbread.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1684.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2048.0

Total Fat 90.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 20.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 21.0g
Cholesterol 64.3mg	0%
Sodium 5948.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 237.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 76.1g	0%
Total Sugars 39.7g
Protein 80.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 569.3mg	0%
Iron 21.4mg	0%
Potassium 4632.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 38.9%

Protein: 15.5%

Carbs: 45.6%