Authentic West Virginia Reunion Beans (Crockpot Recipe)

West Virginia Reunion Beans are the ultimate crowd-pleasing side dish for your next summer BBQ, family reunion, or potluck. Made with a rich blend of spicy sausage, kielbasa, tender canned beans, and a sweet-and-savory tomato sauce, this dish is slow-simmered in a crockpot until thick and flavorful.

Growing up in West Virginia, it felt like a version of this recipe was in every single church cookbook. Some folks used ground beef, but my mother always made hers with sausage and served them alongside hot cornbread and crisp fried potatoes. Decades later, my husband still fixes a big crockpot of these exact beans every year for his deer camp—it’s his favorite throw-together meal after a long day outdoors.

Whether you call them Cowboy Beans or Calico Beans, this easy dump-and-go recipe is guaranteed to clear the table.

HOW TO MAKE WEST VIRGINIA REUNION BEANS:

INGREDIENTS:

(Scroll to the printable recipe card below for exact measurements and printable instructions)

• Spicy Ground Sausage: Adds a gentle kick that cuts through the sweetness.
• Smoked Kielbasa or Turkey Sausage: Sliced into bite-sized coins for meat in every bite.
• Canned Bean Blend: A combination of Butter Beans, Chili Beans, Pork & Beans, Lima Beans, Kidney Beans, and Navy Beans (undrained unless noted).
• Vegetables & Aromatics: Yellow onion, green bell pepper, and canned diced tomatoes.
• Sauce & Seasoning: Ketchup, brown sugar, garlic salt, salt, and black pepper.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Brown the Sausage: In a skillet over medium heat, crumble and cook the ground sausage until fully browned. Drain off any excess grease. Slice the kielbasa into rounds.
2. Prep the Crockpot: Lightly spray the inside of your crockpot with non-stick cooking spray.
3. Combine Ingredients: Add the cooked sausage, sliced kielbasa, all cans of beans, diced tomatoes, chopped onion, and green bell pepper to the slow cooker.
4. Season and Sauce: Pour in the ketchup and brown sugar, then sprinkle with garlic salt, salt, and black pepper.
5. Mix and Simmer: Stir all ingredients together thoroughly until well combined. Cook on LOW for 5 hours, stirring occasionally.

Step-By-Step Photos

Assemble and prepare the ingredients.
Crumble and brown the sausage, drain grease. Slice kielbasa. Chop the vegetables, measure ketchup.

Spray the inside of a crockpot with no stick cooking spray.
Place the sausage, kielbasa, beans, seasonings, and tomatoes in the crockpot.

Add the brown sugar, onions, ketchup, and green peppers. Stir all of the ingredients together until well combined.

Cook on low, uncovered for 5 hours, stirring occasionally.

My family also enjoys the Baked Beans and Wieners that I fix. The children actually like these better since they have hot dogs in them.

Black Bean and Corn Salad is another side dish with beans that serves a lot of people at a cook-out.

WHY PEOPLE LOVE WEST VIRGINIA REUNION BEANS:

• Feeds a Crowd: Generous batch size makes it perfect for covered-dish dinners and tailgates.
• Minimal Effort: Just brown the meat, chop your veggies, and dump everything straight into the slow cooker.
• Better as Leftovers: The rich flavors deepen overnight, making it ideal for making a day ahead.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

*What can I serve West Virginia Reunion Beans with?
These beans go well with hamburgers, hot dogs, ribs, pulled pork, chicken, and steak. My mother also served them with cornbread and fried potatoes.

*Can I make these beans a head of time?
Yes! I have made them several times the day before I need them. They actually taste even better as the flavors blend more.

*What other meats can I use?
Ground beef is frequently used instead of sausage. Use the same amount as the sausage. 

This recipe was shared on Sweet Little Bluebird Weekend Potluck.