BBQ Baked Beans with Ground Beef

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Let these BBQ baked beans with ground beef be the star of your next potluck, backyard BBQ or weeknight dinner. Your taste buds will thank you!

This BBQ Baked Beans with Ground Beef recipe is a hearty and flavorful dish that combines tender ground beef with slow-cooked baked beans in a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce.

Looking for more ground beef recipes? Try this Hamburger Green Bean Casserole or a family favorite Traditional Goulash.

WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS EASY RECIPE

• It’s simple with most ingredients in the recipe pantry staples.
• It’s the perfect side dish for BBQ dinners and potluck events.
• Adding ground beef makes this a hearty baked beans recipe that can easily be served as a main course.
• You’ll love the flavor the bacon brings to the recipe. Save some of the crispy bacon to use as garnish.
• These beans are a huge hit at family gatherings!

INGREDIENTS AND SUBSTITUTIONS FOR THE BEST BAKED BEANS

• Ground Beef – Use lean ground beef. With the addition of the bacon, there will be plenty of fat to compliment the flavors.
• Bacon Chopped
• Onion Chopped – White or yellow onion works.
• Brown Sugar – Either dark brown sugar or light works great in this recipe.
• Granulated Sugar
• Ketchup
• Barbecue Sauce – Use your favorite brand of BBQ sauce, or try this homemade BBQ sauce.
• Molasses
• Chili Powder -Sometimes I substitute chipotle chili powder.
• Black Pepper
• Salt
• Ground Mustard – If you don’t have any ground mustard, you could use yellow mustard or spicy brown mustard.
• Butter Beans Drained
• Pork and Beans
• Red Kidney Beans Drained

OPTIONAL INGREDIENTS

Green bell pepper or red bell pepper are both great additions to this hearty side dish.

Also, if you want to kick up the heat a little, add 1/2 tsp of cayenne pepper. The sweetness from the sugars and the spicy from the cayenne are delicious together.

STEP-BY-STEP DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING BBQ BAKED BEANS WITH GROUND BEEF

STEP 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

STEP 2: To a large dutch oven or large skillet, add chopped onion, chopped bacon, and one pound of ground beef. Using a wooden spoon to crumble the ground beef mixture, cook over medium-heat until there is no longer any pink in the beef. Drain any excess grease.

Transfer to a casserole dish if your skillet is not oven safe.

STEP 3: Add the remaining ingredients and mix everything. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour, stirring half way through. Uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the sauce thickens.

STEP 4: Serve immediately.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH BBQ BAKED BEANS

• Pesto Potato Salad
• Caesar Pasta Salad
• Creamy Coleslaw
• Make the ultimate hearty dinner by serving the baked beans over the top of hot dogs or bratwurst.
• Air Fryer Pork Chops
• Pulled Pork Sandwich

FAQ for making BBQ Baked Beans

TIPS FOR MAKING BAKED BBQ BEANS

• Feel free to make this recipe vegetarian by leaving out the ground beef, substituting vegetable broth and adding an additional can of beans.
• This recipe is very thick and can be served like a dip with tortilla chips, corn chips or crackers.
• Use a good BBQ sauce: A good BBQ sauce will be the key to making your baked beans taste amazing. You can either make your own sauce or use a store-bought one.
• The beans will thicken while they cook and as they cool. If the beans appear to be drying out, add beef broth or water to thin out the consistency.
• Add some extra toppings: If you like, you can top your baked beans with extra bacon, shredded cheese, or chopped fresh herbs for an extra burst of flavor.

WANT TO STORE FOR LATER?  HERE’S HOW: 

Fridge: Allow leftovers too cool to room temperature. Transfer to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Freezer: Store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.

HOW TO REHEAT BAKED BEANS:

Stovetop

1. Place BBQ Baked Beans in a pot.
2. Add water or beef broth one tablespoon at a time until the mixture loosens up.
3. Heat over medium-low until beans are heated through, stirring frequently.

Oven

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. Transfer beans to an oven-safe baking dish. Add beef broth or water to loosen the bean consistency if the beans are dry.
3. Cover beans with aluminum foil.
4. Bake for 10 – 15 minutes or until beans are heated through.

Microwave

1. Place beans in a microwave-safe dish.
2. Add beef broth or water to loosen the bean consistency – cover beans with plastic wrap or a paper towel.
3. Heat the beans in 30-second increments, frequently stirring until the beans are heated through.

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