BBQ baked beans are a quick, easy crowd-pleaser made with brown sugar, bacon, and a mix of canned beans that bake up perfectly in the oven.
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Why You'll Love This BBQ Baked Beans Recipe
These have always been known as "yummy beans" in my circle, and honestly, that's the best way to describe them. A neighbor first shared this recipe with us years ago, and it quickly became a staple at every backyard BBQ we've hosted since.
They've got the sweetness of brown sugar, the savory smokiness of bacon, and a mix of different beans for texture and color. Best of all, they require minimal work up front. Fry up some bacon, open a few cans, mix it, and pop it in the oven. Here's why this recipe is a total winner:
- Minimal prep
- Great for a crowd
- Sweet and smoky flavor
- Easy to customize
- Perfect for BBQs and picnics
Ingredient Information and Substitutions
- Bush's Baked Beans- Forms the flavorful base of the dish. Any brand or flavor of canned baked beans works here.
- Canned beans- Pinto, great northern, and black beans are good options and add nice color and texture, though any mix of canned beans works well.
- Bacon- The original recipe called for peppered bacon, but I find that burns really easily, so I go with regular bacon and add some black pepper to the recipe.
- Onion- Deepens the savory flavors and adds a bit of bite. Shallots work as a milder substitute.
- Ketchup- For tang and a touch of sweetness. BBQ sauce can work as a substitute for an even smokier flavor.
- Vinegar- Apple cider vinegar is my preferred variety, but white vinegar works as well.
- Yellow mustard- Adds a little tang and depth to the sauce. Dijon mustard works as a substitute for a sharper flavor.
- Brown sugar- Brings the signature sweetness that balances the smoky bacon. Maple syrup or honey can work as a substitute.
- Ground beef- Optional, but turns this side dish into a heartier main. Leave it out if you're serving this alongside other proteins.
How To Make Baked Beans Using Canned Beans
Step 1- Preheat the oven.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Step 2- Mix the ingredients.
Reserve some of the bacon for the topping, then combine all the ingredients in a large bowl. Stir and fold gently until evenly mixed.
Step 3- Transfer to a baking dish.
Pour the mixture into a large baking dish, then sprinkle the reserved bacon and a bit of extra brown sugar on top.
Step 4- Bake.
Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, then dig in and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Most canned baked beans are gluten-free, but it's always worth double-checking the label, since some brands add ingredients that contain gluten.
Yes, they freeze well. Let them cool completely, then store in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
Yes, browned ground beef turns this from a side dish into a full meal, similar to cowboy baked beans. Add about 1 pound of beef, browned until 90% cooked before baking.
Tips For Making Spiced Baked Beans
- Partly drain the canned Bush's Baked Beans before mixing. Too much liquid makes the dish soupy, but fully drained beans will cause the dish to dry out in the oven.
- Reserve a few slices of bacon to crumble on top before baking, so every bite gets a bit of extra smoky flavor.
- Adjust the sweetness by adding a little more or less brown sugar to taste.
- Turn this into a full meal by browning then draining about a pound of ground beef and mixing it in before baking.
- Use a cast iron or oven-safe skillet instead of a baking dish if you want extra caramelization on the bottom and edges.
- Stir halfway through baking so the top doesn't dry out while the beans cook evenly.
- Halve the recipe if you're cooking for a smaller crowd, since this makes a pretty large batch.
- Ingredients to prep ahead- Cook and crumble the bacon and chop the onion up to a day in advance.
- Leftovers and storage- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
What To Serve With Baked Canned Beans
I love to build a full BBQ spread around this dish, with a protein off the grill, a couple of fresh sides, and something sweet to finish. Here are some of my favorite pairings:
- Bean and Cheese Burrito Recipe
- Roasted Red Potatoes Recipe
- Artichoke and Olive Spread
- Chocolate Cake Trifle
Other Tasty Bean Sides To Try
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5 star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below ⬇️ and/or a review in the comment section further down. Check out my Amazon Store for all my favorite tools, including those used in this recipe. And follow @thelifejolie on Instagram and TikTok!
BBQ Baked Beans
Equipment
- 1 Spatula
Ingredients
- 12 ounces bacon cooked until crisp and crumbled (reserve 3 slices to the side)
- 56 ounces Bush's Baked Beans Two 28 ounce cans, partly drained (your choice of flavor, I went with original)
- 43 ounces beans Three 14.5 oz. cans of beans, drained (I went with Pinto, Great Northern and Black Beans because I like the variety of colors)
- 1 cup onion chopped
- ½ cup tomato ketchup
- ½ cup brown sugar + a little bit to sprinkle on top
- 3 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 pound ground beef cooked and drained (optional- I didn't include this)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Mix all ingredients (except for the reserved 3 slices crumbled bacon) until well combined.
- Pour it into a large baking dish and sprinkle a bit of brown sugar and the remaining 3 slices of crumbled bacon on top.
- Bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes. Serve immediately.
Video
Notes
- Partly drain the canned Bush's Baked Beans before mixing. Too much liquid makes the dish soupy, but fully drained beans will cause the dish to dry out in the oven.
- Reserve a few slices of bacon to crumble on top before baking, so every bite gets a bit of extra smoky flavor.
- Adjust the sweetness by adding a little more or less brown sugar to taste.
- Turn this into a full meal by browning then draining about a pound of ground beef and mixing it in before baking.
- Use a cast iron or oven-safe skillet instead of a baking dish if you want extra caramelization on the bottom and edges.
- Stir halfway through baking so the top doesn't dry out while the beans cook evenly.
- Halve the recipe if you're cooking for a smaller crowd, since this makes a pretty large batch.
- Ingredients to prep ahead- Cook and crumble the bacon and chop the onion up to a day in advance.
- Leftovers
Dawn Hale says
Jessy Freimann says
Dawn says