Name: Baked Beans
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 80 min
Ingredients: 1 lb Bacon (sliced into small pieces); 1 lb Ground Beef; 1 White Onion (large); ½ tsp Salt; ½ tsp Black Pepper; 1 cup BBQ Sauce (I like Sweet Baby Rays); ⅓ cup Brown Sugar; 2 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar; 60 oz Baked Beans (canned, Four 15 oz cans)

If you’re on the hunt for a dish that’s comforting, delicious, and perfect for any gathering, look no further than this ultimate Baked Beans recipe. Packed with savory bacon, ground beef, and a touch of sweetness, these baked beans are sure to be a hit at your next family dinner, BBQ, or potluck.

Ingredients:

Prep Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour and 20 minutes | Servings: 8

1 lb Bacon, sliced into small pieces
1 lb Ground Beef
1 White Onion, large
½ tsp Salt
½ tsp Black Pepper
1 cup BBQ Sauce, I like Sweet Baby Rays
⅓ cup Brown Sugar
2 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
75 oz Baked Beans, canned (Four 15 oz cans)

Instructions:

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Cook the Bacon: Chop Bacon into thin bite-sized slices. In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until it’s crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and drain it on paper towels. Leave some of the bacon grease in the skillet.
Cook the Onion: Add the chopped onion to the skillet. Saute in the bacon grease until the onion is soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
Cook the Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet with the onions. Cook over medium heat until it’s browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
Combine Ingredients: To the pan, add the salt, black pepper, BBQ sauce, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar. Mix well until everything is evenly combined.
Add Baked Beans: Add in the canned baked beans and half of the cooked bacon to the mixture. Stir until well incorporated and everything is evenly mixed.
Bake: Transfer the baked beans mixture to a large baking dish and bake for 50 minutes. Take the pan out of the oven and sprinkle the remaining bacon evenly over the top until the beans, bake for an additional 10 minutes until they are bubbly and the sauce has thickened.
Serve: Remove from the oven and let the beans cool slightly before serving.

Storage and Reheating Instructions:

Store any leftover baked beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They should stay fresh and delicious for up to 4 days. You can also store them in the freezer for up to 3 months.

You can warm them up in the oven or microwave, whichever you prefer. If using the oven, preheat it to 350°F, cover the beans with foil to keep them from drying out, and heat for about 20 minutes or until hot. For the microwave, heat on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.

Helpful Tips & Substitutions

Can This Be Made Ahead of Time?

Yes. Prepare the beans according to the recipe, cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.

Substitutions & Variations

Ground Turkey or Chicken: Swap out the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
Spicy Kick: Add some heat by incorporating diced jalapeños or a splash of hot sauce.
Smoky Flavor: Use smoked paprika or add a few drops of liquid smoke to the mixture for a deeper, smoky flavor.

Helpful Cooking Notes

Bacon Grease: Using the bacon grease to cook the onions adds an extra layer of flavor.
BBQ Sauce: The type of BBQ sauce you use can significantly affect the flavor of your baked beans. I love using Sweet Baby Ray’s for its rich, tangy sweetness, but feel free to use your favorite brand or even make your own!
Consistency: If you prefer your baked beans to be thicker, let them bake a little longer. If you like them saucier, reduce the baking time slightly or add a splash of water or broth to the mixture.

Try Some of our Other Favorite Side Dish Recipes

Baked Beans

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Prep Time 20

Cook Time 1

Total Time 1 20

Servings

Calories 665 kcal

This Baked Beans recipe is packed with savory bacon, ground beef, and a touch of sweetness. Perfect for BBQs, potlucks, and family dinners.

INGREDIENTS

1 lb Bacon, sliced into small pieces
1 lb Ground Beef
1 White Onion, large
½ tsp Salt
½ tsp Black Pepper
1 cup BBQ Sauce, I like Sweet Baby Rays
⅓ cup Brown Sugar
2 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
60 oz Baked Beans, canned, Four 15 oz cans

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Cook the Bacon: Chop Bacon into thin bite-sized slices. In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until it’s crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and drain it on paper towels. Leave some of the bacon grease in the skillet.
Cook the Onion: Add the chopped onion to the skillet. Saute in the bacon grease until the onion is soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
Cook the Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet with the onions. Cook over medium heat until it’s browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
Combine Ingredients: To the pan, add the salt, black pepper, BBQ sauce, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar. Mix well until everything is evenly combined.
Add Baked Beans: Add in the canned baked beans and half of the cooked bacon to the mixture. Stir until well incorporated and everything is evenly mixed.
Bake: Transfer the baked beans mixture to a large baking dish and bake for 50 minutes. Take the pan out of the oven and sprinkle the remaining bacon evenly over the top until the beans, bake for an additional 10 minutes until they are bubbly and the sauce has thickened.
Serve: Remove from the oven and let the beans cool slightly before serving.

NOTES

Storage and Reheating Instructions:

Store any leftover baked beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They should stay fresh and delicious for up to 4 days. You can also store them in the freezer for up to 3 months.