BBQ Baked Beans with Bacon is a perfect side dish that has the heartwarming flavors of comfort food with a smoky, savory twist. Whether enjoyed as a side dish at a summer barbecue, a comforting addition to winter meals, or a staple at potlucks and gatherings, this dish holds a special place in many family traditions.
When I was growing up my dad was the one who made the baked beans. We had them at many family parties alongside my mom's potato salad or just for dinner some nights with hot dogs. He took canned beans and added ingredients, which always made them so much better. I have been trying to get mine to taste similar to what he made and these are pretty close.
Please leave a comment or rating below and let us know how you liked them.
Try some of our other favorite side dishes: Southern Jiffy Corn Casserole, Simple Macaroni Salad, Baked Homemade Mac and Cheese, or Creamy Cucumber Tomato Salad.
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Ingredients for Easy Baked Beans
- baked beans
- bacon
- white onion or yellow onion
- garlic cloves
- smoked paprika
- black pepper
- brown sugar or molasses
- mustard
- your favorite bbq sauce
- ketchup
- Worcestershire sauce
- liquid smoke (optional)
- apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar)
FAQs
BBQ baked beans are a flavorful variation of traditional baked beans, incorporating a tangy, smoky barbecue sauce. They are often cooked slowly to allow the beans to absorb the rich, sweet, and savory flavors.
Yes, you can use dry beans. Soak 2 cups of dry beans overnight in water. Drain, rinse, and cook them in fresh water until tender before using in the recipe.
Yes, baked beans freeze well. Allow them to cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Baked beans are a versatile side dish that pairs well with barbecue dishes, grilled meats, hot dogs, burgers, and cornbread. They can also be served as part of a hearty breakfast with eggs and toast.
Top Tips
- Experiment with different types of BBQ sauce to find the flavor profile you prefer. Whether it's sweet, smoky, spicy, or tangy, the choice of BBQ sauce can greatly enhance the taste of your baked beans.
- Do you want more bacon? Add some cooked bacon slices to the top of the beans.
- Want to make these beans lighter? Try using turkey bacon or lessen/omit the amount of brown sugar.
- Enhance the flavor of your beans by adding additional ingredients such as chopped bell peppers, jalapeños, or diced tomatoes. These ingredients can add texture and complexity to your dish.
- Beans with bacon can be made ahead of time and reheated when needed. This makes it a convenient dish for potlucks, picnics, or barbecues. Simply store the beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat them in the oven or microwave before serving.
- Store any leftover beans in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to a week.
How to make The Best Baked Beans
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9x13" baking dish with nonstick spray.
- In a large skillet, cook chopped bacon over medium-high heat until it's browned and crispy. Drain most of the bacon grease, leaving about 2-3 tablespoons. In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook until the onion is soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add smoked paprika, brown sugar/molasses, and black pepper.
- Stir in ketchup, mustard, liquid smoke, Worcestershire sauce, barbecue sauce, and apple cider vinegar.
- Mix in the cans of beans and combine well.
- Transfer beans to the prepared baking dish. Layer extra slices of bacon on top, if desired. Place in the oven to bake 35-40 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Allow to rest 5-10 minutes, then serve hot and enjoy!
BBQ Baked Beans with Bacon Recipe
Ingredients
- 3-4 cans baked beans (about 64-66 ounces)
- 6-8 slices bacon, diced (plus extra for top, if desired)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar or molasses
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoon barbecue sauce
- 2 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoon Liquid Smoke (optional)
- 2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9x13" baking dish with nonstick spray.
- In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until it's browned and crispy. Drain most of the grease, leaving about 2-3 tablespoons. In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook until the onion is soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add smoked paprika, brown sugar/molasses, and black pepper.
- Stir in ketchup, mustard, liquid smoke, Worcestershire sauce, barbecue sauce, and apple cider vinegar.
- Mix in the cans of beans and combine well.
- Transfer beans to the prepared baking dish. Layer extra slices of bacon on top, if desired. Place in the oven to bake 35-40 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Allow to rest 5-10 minutes, then serve hot and enjoy!
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