Calico Beans is a hearty filling dish that can be used as a main or a side. This vegetarian version of the dish is naturally gluten-free.
Calico Beans - A Hearty Vegetarian Dish
Sometimes food just brings back memories. For me, this Calico Baked Beans recipes brings back a flood of childhood memories!
I have fond memories of this dish. I grew up next door to my husband as a child. Isn’t that just the coolest, ever? How many of you can say that you grew up next to your significant other? If you can, let’s chat!
Our families did everything together. Often in the early fall, we would have a garage sale. My husband's mom would always make calico beans in the crockpot.
Even though I loved her calico beans recipe back then, it was a bit different recipe and included some meat. I have created a similar recipe to fit our current dietary needs.
Looking for other allergy-friendly comfort food recipes? All of our recipes are nut-free and gluten-free. We also have vegan recipes too, like this Vegan Baked Beans recipe!
Again you have simple flavors of the beans coming together to create a deep flavorful profile.
While you can do a crockpot version of this recipe, I used the oven.
The crockpot version of this delicious side dish would be super simple to do, though!
If you like this recipe, make sure you check out these great bean recipes as well:
What is the variety of beans used in this Calico beans recipe?
Great question. While you can technically use any type of beans that you want, I tend to stick with the fan favorites of kidney beans, great northern beans, pinto beans, butter beans, and garbanzo beans but you can easily add in lima beans and black beans. (and again, those who aren’t vegetarian may want to add in ground beef to this recipe or even cook bacon and add it in)
If you love beans, you might love lentils! This Lentil Sloppy Joe recipe from Allergylicious looks simply amazing and would be perfect to pair with these calico beans!
How hard is this homemade beans recipe to make?
That’s the cool thing, it’s not hard at all. It’s crazy simple, doesn’t take all that long and it’s one that you can do with ease. This busy mom gives it two thumbs up!
What would you serve these calico baked beans with?
It’s totally up to you! With the summer months coming up, this is a perfect side dish to have at family gatherings or even outdoor BBQ’s. When you show up with a baking dish full of this goodness, people will take notice!
I’ve found that taking a fun and creative dish to parties and events is a super easy way to make certain that you’re invited back next year. Sounds funny, but in my min,d I like to pretend that it’s true!
Are you ready for this calico beans recipe?!
Calico Beans is a recipe that is easily compared to baked beans but with some extra types of beans. Typically this dish might contain beef and bacon or some sort of meat, but we made this recipe vegetarian.
This recipe is made most easily in the slow cooker but you can certainly skillet cook this dish if you prefer. My number one tip for this dish is to make sure that your beans are rinsed and drained!
Please pin this calico beans pin for later:
Calico Beans
Ingredients
- 1 cup kidney beans
- 1 cup great northern beans
- 1 cup pinto beans
- 1 cup butter beans
- 1 cup garbanzo beans
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup ketchup
- 1 T liquid smoke
- 2 T apple cider vinegar
- 2 t mustard
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients together and pour into a prepared baking dish.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until warmed throughout.
- ENJOY!
Nutrition
What do you say? Are you taste buds craving this simple and easy bean side dish?! There has never been a better time to make it than now!
This looks like a change from the way I usually use these beans. Can't wait to try it.
I love this recipe. As a vegetarian, I am always looking for ways to get protein in my diet. These beans are so protein heavy, I must try them.
I don't eat beans except for Baguio Beans that's native our country Philippines. These beans looks nutritious and tasty based on the photo.
Looks delicious! I've never had calico beans but they look way more fun than just 1 bean at a time.
That sounds so good! I love all the different beans. That has to have a ton of flavor in addition to all the protein and fiber.
This looks super tasty. I like a hearty bean recipe.
This recipe looks so good. I love these kinds of beans. They're my favorite! I can't wait to give this recipe a try. I've been looking for something with beans, so this will be great.
I love beans and I'll definitely have to try out this dish sometime. Thank you for sharing it!
This is a wonderful meatless meal with protein! We do eat meat in our home but occasionally seek out a great meatless meal. We'll add this to our weekly rotation!
kidney beans and great northern beans are my favorite beans and I am all about more protein plus this looks really good!
I love to try new recipes with beans. It is such a delicious and healthy option. I will have to add this to my meal plan for next week.