Best BBQ Baked Beans

Semi-homemade BBQ baked beans are the best and easiest way to beef up a store-bought can of baked beans and turn them into a delicious delicacy! These cookout-style baked beans combine ground beef, bacon, peppers, and onions in a savory BBQ sauce.

Table of Contents

1. Semi-Homemade BBQ Beans
2. Ingredients for Easy BBQ Baked Beans
3. How to Make Semi-Homemade BBQ Baked Beans
4. Recipe Tips and Tricks for the Best BBQ Baked Beans
5. More Summer-Ready Side Dishes from I Heart Recipes
6. Best BBQ Baked Beans Recipe

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Hey Cousins! Whenever I host summer barbecues, I’m looking for the ultimate side dish to serve alongside my other greatest hits (like my BBQ ribs and macaroni salad). Enter this dish – an easy recipe for the BEST baked beans ever!

Every time I make this BBQ baked beans recipe, people rave. At the last get-together, everyone asked me what I put into the beans! When I told them the ingredients, no one believed me–not even my husband, who watched me make the dang recipe! No one thought such simple ingredients could make such a delicious pot of baked beans.

Semi-Homemade BBQ Beans

Now, it may surprise you to learn that this is a semi-homemade BBQ baked beans recipe. I used store-bought canned baked beans and beefed them up with other ingredients for an extra kick of flavor. Semi-homemade doesn’t have to mean semi-flavorful. No ma’am! This easy baked beans recipe is perfect for cookouts, family gatherings, or potlucks. They’re perfect whether you’re tossing a few hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill or going all out with brisket and ribs.

With this easy side dish recipe, I’ll teach you how to make savory, delicious Southern baked beans that rival even the best BBQ pit masters, right in your own kitchen! Let’s get on into it, fam. 

Ingredients for Easy BBQ Baked Beans

You only need a few simple ingredients to make this easy cookout side dish, and everything can be found in one quick trip to the grocery store. Scroll down to the recipe card to find the complete ingredients list, measurements, and directions. Here’s everything you need!

• Canned Baked Beans & Navy Beans: I use two 28-oz cans of beans in this recipe, which makes enough to feed about 8-10 people (depending on how greedy they get!).
• Ground Beef & Bacon: adding the extra meat is what really makes these BBQ baked beans a beefy, satisfying dish.
• Peppers & Onions: I use green bell pepper and white or yellow onions as the veggies in this recipe, but there’s plenty of wiggle room.
• Dijon Mustard, Ketchup, Brown Sugar, & Molasses: these four ingredients are what I’d consider the “secret ingredient” in my baked beans recipe – it’s basically a homemade barbecue sauce.

What are the best kinds of canned baked beans to use in this recipe? 

When it comes to picking out which canned baked beans you use, I suggest using your favorite brand. I got super lucky and found a generic brand I loved, so I didn’t have to pay for an expensive one. But with so many different brands and flavors, the best advice I can give is don’t feel the need to go fancy! We add so much flavor to the recipe that you really don’t need to be extra and buy hella flavored canned beans. 

Can I use another variety of bean instead of navy beans? 

Navy beans are the most commonly used in baked bean recipes, but are not the only kind! Kidney beans and pinto beans are also good options. Great Northern or cannellini beans also work, but they’re a bit bigger than navy beans. I always suggest using canned beans over dry beans because they reduce the cooking and prep time. Dried beans take much longer to cook, and even though they may be a cheaper option, they’re not always the most convenient!

How to Make Semi-Homemade BBQ Baked Beans

Okay, fam – on to the good part: how to make this delicious baked beans recipe! It’s so simple, flavorful, and a great BBQ side dish to accompany summer cookout favorites. Plus, it’s easy to double or triple if you’re trying to feed a crowd!

You can watch my video tutorial below, which shows exactly how I make this stovetop BBQ baked beans recipe from start to finish. Be sure to head on over to I Heart Recipes’ YouTube channel and subscribe to catch all my videos! I even have a whole playlist of BBQ and picnic-ready recipes, including delicious recipes to serve at your next cookout!

Steps for Making Easy BBQ Baked Beans: 

1. Start by browning the bacon and ground beef together in a large skillet or pot over medium heat. Be sure to drain the fat from the pan once the meat is done cooking. 
2. Next, toss in your chopped onions and green pepper. Sauté the veggies with the meat until the veggies are tender.
3. Next, add the Dijon mustard, ketchup, brown sugar, and molasses to the pot. Mix until everything is combined and a nice sauce forms. Let the mixture simmer for a few minutes.
4. Add in the canned beans. First – the baked beans, including the sauce from the can. Then add the drained navy beans. Stir everything until well combined and reduce the heat.
5. Let the BBQ baked beans simmer over medium-low heat for about 45 minutes, until the sauce has thickened. 

And there you have it – a simple recipe for easy BBQ baked beans! These semi-homemade baked beans are just as tasty as the best BBQ joint, but made in your own home. Next time you’re planning a cookout, these have to be on your menu!

Recipe Tips and Tricks for the Best BBQ Baked Beans

Now, it wouldn’t be a Cousin Rosie recipe without some Cousin Rosie tips! I’ve made this recipe many times and think it’s pretty great as-is, but you can always make some adjustments based on your tastes! Here are some tips.

• If you’re not a fan of green peppers, you can leave them out! 
• You can use white or yellow onions, or even swap in red onion instead. Red onions will add a bit of a sweet bite, which goes well with the sweet and savory BBQ sauce. 
• I add about 1.5 tsp of minced garlic when I have garlic on hand. Fresh or jarred garlic works just fine.
• If you don’t like or don’t eat pork, replace the bacon with turkey bacon. 
• You can also swap the ground beef for ground chicken or turkey. Pulled pork would also be delicious in this recipe!
• You can make these BBQ baked beans on the stovetop or in a crockpot. Using a crockpot will extend the cook time to about 2-3 hours. You can also transfer the baked beans to a slow cooker set to warm to keep the beans warm while serving.
• Add a hint of heat to the recipe by adding diced jalapeno pepper or hot sauce. 
• You can easily make these baked beans ahead of time. Truth be told, they’re even more delicious the next day, and heat up perfectly on the stovetop or in the crockpot. 
• Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

More Summer-Ready Side Dishes from I Heart Recipes

These semi-homemade BBQ baked beans are the perfect side dish for your summer barbecues. The savory flavor, meaty beans, and tender veggies pack one pot of beans with so much flavor! If you tried this recipe and loved it, drop a comment below! If you’re looking for more cookout-friendly sides, try some of these recipes next:

• Easy Creamy Italian Pasta Salad
• Simple Pea, Bacon, and Cheddar Salad
• Southern Potato Salad Recipe
• Easy Cold Summer Pasta Salad Recipe
• Dill Pickle & Ranch Pasta Salad
• Texas Caviar Macaroni Salad
• Brown Sugar and Pineapple Baked Beans

Don’t forget to tag and follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest, subscribe to I Heart Recipes on YouTube, and check out I Heart Soul Food, Super Soul Food with Cousin Rosie and A Cousin Rosie Holiday with many recipes you can’t find anywhere else.

Best BBQ Baked Beans Recipe

These delicious baked beans are made with such simple ingredients, they’re easy to make and will be a huge hit at your next BBQ!

Watch Video Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course BBQ, Lunch or Dinner, Side, Side Dish, Slow Cooker

Cuisine BBQ

Keyword BBQ Baked Beans

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes minutes

Total Time 50 minutes minutes

Servings 10 servings

Ingredients

• 1 lb bacon chopped
• 1/2 lb ground beef
• 1 cup sweet peppers chopped
• 1 cup yellow onion chopped
• 2 tbsp dijon mustard
• 3 tbsp ketchup
• 2 tbsp molasses
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 28 oz canned baked beans
• 28 oz canned navy beans drained

Instructions

• Start by browning the bacon and ground beef together over medium heat.
  1 lb bacon, 1/2 lb ground beef
• Once fully browned, drain all fat from the pan.
• Add the sweet peppers and onions; sauté until veggies are tender.
  1 cup sweet peppers, 1 cup yellow onion
• Add in the Dijon mustard, molasses, and ketchup, and brown sugar. Stir until sauce is smooth. Let mixture simmer for a few minutes.
  2 tbsp dijon mustard, 3 tbsp ketchup, 2 tbsp molasses, 1/2 cup brown sugar
• Next, add in the baked beans, including the broth and stir.
  28 oz canned baked beans
• After draining, add the navy beans to the pan.
  28 oz canned navy beans
• Stir the ingredients and reduce the heat to a medium-low simmer.
• Continue to simmer for 45 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.
• Serve.

Video

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Recipe by: I Heart Recipes