# Improve Calico Beans

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improve-calico-beans/548155>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [July 27, 2010, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improve-calico-beans/548155 "2010-07-27T05:39:28Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\
**Post date:** [July 27, 2010, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improve-calico-beans/548155/1 "2010-07-27T05:39:28Z")

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What I have had is so bland-midwestern.

[This](http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/calico-bean-casserole/Detail.aspx) recipe is typical. But it seems that something is missing.

Cumin? Some heat?

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**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\
**Post date:** [July 27, 2010, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improve-calico-beans/548155/2 "2010-07-27T05:43:42Z")

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Aleppo pepper flake, more bacon, maybe some molasses.

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**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\
**Post date:** [July 27, 2010, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improve-calico-beans/548155/3 "2010-07-27T14:59:22Z")

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I didn’t even know this had a name. I’ve made it all my life but I’d add red pepper and something for a kick. I usually buy some ground spice blend so I’m not sure what exactly the spices are, but they go good in chili too. Also not so much brown sugar, add some molasses.

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**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\
**Post date:** [July 28, 2010, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improve-calico-beans/548155/4 "2010-07-28T04:04:59Z")

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It needs some diced green bell pepper, diced tomato, and diced celery, cooked with the ground beef and onion. You may peel the tomato or not, as you like it.

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**Author:** ![cuberdon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/45deac/32.png) [@cuberdon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cuberdon)\
**Post date:** [July 28, 2010, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improve-calico-beans/548155/5 "2010-07-28T04:56:36Z")

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Rancho Gordo has some good bean recipes: [http://www.ranchogordo.com/html/rg\_cook\_index.htm](http://www.ranchogordo.com/html/rg_cook_index.htm)