Cowboy beans is a bean ish popular in the United States. The dish consists of beans and ground beef in a sweet and tangy sauce. The flavor is similar to baked beans but with a southwestern twist. Although cowboy appears in the name, the use of canned beans, ketchup, and BBQ sauce means the dish is unlike anything ranch hands would have eaten. Cowboy Beans are served stewed or baked, depending on the recipe. A typical recipe might include: