BBQ Baked Beans

How to Make BBQ Baked Beans: The Perfect Side Dish

BBQ baked beans are a timeless favorite at backyard cookouts, family gatherings, and any occasion that calls for hearty, flavorful side dishes.

With a combination of smoky, savory, and slightly sweet flavors, these beans take the title of the ultimate comfort food. Whether you’re pairing them with hot dogs, potato salad, or green bell peppers fresh from the grill, this recipe is your go-to for a next-level bean recipe.

Let’s dive into how to make these easy BBQ baked beans that are sure to impress.

Why You’ll Love This Bean Recipe

This BBQ baked beans recipe isn’t just a side dish; it’s the star of the show. Combining smoky bacon, savory ground beef, and the robust flavor of bourbon baked beans, this dish is elevated to the next level. And with the use of a slow cooker, Dutch oven, or smoker, you can adapt the cooking process to fit your style.

The best part? It’s incredibly versatile. Serve it with grilled hot dogs, a tangy potato salad, or as a hearty side for your next barbecue feast. This dish is the perfect blend of smoky and sweet, thanks to ingredients like BBQ sauce, pure maple syrup, and smoked paprika.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

• 1 pound of 80/20 ground beef
• 1 pound of bacon
• 2 cans of Bush’s Grillin’ Baked Beans (22 oz bourbon flavor)
• 1 large diced onion
• 1 green bell pepper
• 5 cloves of minced garlic
• ½ cup BBQ sauce
• ¼ cup ketchup
• ¼ cup pure maple syrup
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp yellow mustard
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper

Step-by-Step Instructions for BBQ Baked Beans

Step 1: Prepare the Ground Beef and Bacon

Start by forming your ground beef into patties then season them with a burger rub.

Grill them over direct charcoal heat. The smoky flavor from the grill is what takes this dish to the next level. Once the patties are fully cooked, chop them into bite-sized pieces and set aside.

Next, fry the bacon in a skillet until crispy. Remove it from the pan and let it drain on paper towels before chopping it into small pieces. Save some of the bacon grease for later—it’s the best part of cooking bacon and adds a rich, smoky flavor to the dish.

Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables

In the same skillet with the bacon grease, sauté the diced onion and green bell pepper over medium heat for about five minutes.

This softens the vegetables and enhances their natural sweetness. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until it becomes fragrant.

Step 3: Combine the Ingredients

In a large Dutch oven, combine the cooked ground beef, chopped bacon, sautéed vegetables, and the remaining ingredients: bourbon-flavored baked beans, BBQ sauce, ketchup, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, yellow mustard, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.

Stir everything together thoroughly to ensure all the flavors meld.

Step 4: Cook Low and Slow

Place the Dutch oven on a smoker preheated to 225°F and let the beans cook for about 45 minutes. Stir the mixture every 10 to 15 minutes to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.

If you don’t have a smoker, a slow cooker set on low or a preheated oven at 225°F will work just as well.

Step 5: Serve Warm

Once the beans are soft and bubbling with flavor, they’re ready to serve. Spoon them into a serving dish and enjoy them warm.

They’re the perfect side dish for any barbecue spread, whether you’re serving hot dogs, hamburgers, or grilled chicken.

Tips for Making the Best BBQ Baked Beans

1. Choose Quality Ingredients: Using high-quality bacon, ground beef, and bourbon-flavored baked beans makes all the difference in flavor.
2. Customize Your BBQ Sauce: The type of BBQ sauce you choose will significantly impact the flavor profile. Go for a smoky, sweet, or spicy barbecue sauce depending on your preference.
3. Use a Smoker for Added Flavor: Cooking the beans on a smoker infuses them with a subtle smoky flavor that’s hard to replicate in an oven or slow cooker.
4. Don’t Skip the Bacon Grease: Sautéing your vegetables in bacon grease adds a rich, smoky undertone that elevates the dish.
5. Adjust the Sweetness: If you prefer your beans less sweet, reduce the maple syrup or brown sugar slightly.

Why These BBQ Baked Beans Are a Must-Try

They’re Easy to Make

This recipe is straightforward and requires minimal prep. With a mix of canned beans and pantry staples like ketchup, mustard, and vinegar, you can whip up these easy BBQ baked beans in no time.

They’re Packed with Flavor

Every bite of these beans is a flavor explosion. The smoky bacon, savory beef, and sweet-and-tangy sauce come together perfectly to create a dish that’s anything but ordinary.

They’re Versatile

Pair these beans with any of your favorite barbecue dishes. They’re fantastic with hot dogs, grilled meats, or even as a topping for baked potatoes.

They’re a Crowd-Pleaser

This recipe makes a generous portion, making it ideal for feeding a crowd. Whether it’s a summer cookout or a holiday potluck, these beans will have everyone coming back for seconds.

FAQs

Can I Make These Beans Ahead of Time?

Yes! These beans taste even better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat them in a slow cooker or on the stovetop.

What Can I Serve with BBQ Baked Beans?

BBQ baked beans are the perfect side dish for any barbecue spread. Serve them alongside hot dogs, hamburgers, grilled chicken, or even a tangy potato salad for a complete meal.

Can I Make This Recipe Vegetarian?

Absolutely. Simply omit the bacon and ground beef, and replace them with plant-based alternatives or additional vegetables like diced zucchini or mushrooms. Use vegetable oil instead of bacon grease for sautéing.

Take Your BBQ Baked Beans to the Next Level

These BBQ baked beans are the ultimate comfort food, perfect for any occasion. With smoky bacon, savory ground beef, and a tangy, sweet barbecue sauce, this dish is guaranteed to be a hit.

Pair it with classic side dishes like potato salad, green bell peppers, or grilled hot dogs, and you’ve got yourself a meal that’s as satisfying as it is delicious. So fire up the smoker, grab your Dutch oven, and get ready to enjoy the best part of any barbecue—homemade BBQ baked beans!

Looking for other delicious side dishes?

Cowboy Caviar Pasta Salad – a vibrant, flavor-packed dish that blends the bold flavors of cowboy caviar with the hearty texture of pasta. Loaded with black beans, corn, tomatoes, bell peppers, and a tangy lime dressing, this salad is perfect for barbecues, potlucks, or as a refreshing side dish for any meal.

Bacon Wrapped Pickles – Pickles wrapped in bacon and smoked to crispy perfection. Dip them in homemade ranch dressing for the perfect bite!

Bacon Ranch Potato Salad – A creamy and flavorful twist on classic potato salad, featuring tender potatoes, crispy bacon, and a rich ranch dressing. Perfect for BBQs and picnics!

Smoked Buffalo Mac & Cheese – A decadent, cheesy dish with a smoky flavor, made with a blend of cheeses and smoked to perfection. Ideal for comfort food lovers!

Balsamic Bacon Brussels Sprouts – Roasted Brussels sprouts tossed with crispy bacon and a tangy balsamic glaze for a deliciously savory side dish.

Print