Updated: July 3, 2026
If there’s one recipe my friends and family request at almost every cookout, it’s these Southern Baked Beans. In fact, they’re probably the number one side dish people ask me to bring, second only to my BBQ ribs. This Southern baked beans recipe has been a family favorite for years because it’s loaded with smoky bacon, seasoned ground beef, sweet barbecue sauce, and just the right touch of heat. It’s the kind of easy recipe that disappears fast and always has someone asking for the recipe before the meal is over.
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Why you'll love this family favorite recipe!
- Loaded with flavor – This recipe builds flavor from the ground up. Every bite is packed with smoky bacon, savory ground beef, sweet brown sugar, tangy barbecue sauce, and a hint of chipotle.
- Perfect for cookouts – This is the ultimate Southern BBQ baked beans recipe for summer cookouts, family gatherings, potlucks, and backyard barbecues.
- Easy to make – Everything cooks in one pot using simple ingredients and canned beans, making cleanup easy.
- Feeds a crowd – This recipe serves a generous amount of people and can easily be doubled for larger gatherings.
- Great for making ahead – The flavors become even richer the next day, making this one of my favorite make-ahead side dishes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s everything you’ll need to make this Southern baked beans recipe. Detailed measurements can be found in the recipe card below:
- Bush’s Original Baked Beans – The hearty base of the recipe. Draining some of the liquid creates thicker, richer baked BBQ beans.
- Ground beef – Adds a savory, hearty texture that turns this into a filling side dish everyone loves.
- Bacon – Provides crispy texture and rich bacon drippings that build incredible flavor from the very beginning.
- Sweet onion – Adds natural sweetness and depth as it softens.
- Green bell pepper – Brings freshness and a little texture that balances the richness.
- Garlic powder – Gives the beans a savory garlic flavor without overpowering the sauce.
- Onion powder – Reinforces the onion flavor and seasons the bean mixture beautifully.
- Iodized salt – Enhances all the flavors throughout the dish.
- Chipotle chile pepper – Adds a subtle smoky heat without making the beans overly spicy.
- Barbecue sauce (Sweet Baby Ray’s) – Creates the sweet, tangy barbecue flavor that makes these the best BBQ baked beans recipe.
- Light brown sugar – Adds classic Southern sweetness while helping the sauce caramelize.
- Black pepper – Balances the sweetness with a little savory bite.
- Liquid hickory smoke – A few dashes add slow-smoked flavor without needing a smoker.
How to Make the Best Baked Beans
These homemade BBQ baked beans come together in under an hour with just a few simple steps. You’ll find detailed measurements in the printable recipe card below:
STEP 1: Cook the Bacon – Dice the bacon into small pieces and cook it in a large pot or deep skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and place it on paper towels to drain. Reserve about 2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the pot.
STEP 2: Sauté the Vegetables – Add the diced green bell pepper to the bacon grease first and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until it begins to soften. Stir in the diced onion and continue cooking until the vegetables are tender and fragrant, about 2 to 3 more minutes.
STEP 3: Brown the Ground Beef – Add the ground beef to the vegetables. Break it apart with a wooden spoon and season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, chipotle chile pepper, and black pepper. Cook until the beef is completely browned, then drain any excess grease if needed.
STEP 4: Add the Beans – Drain the Bush’s Original Baked Beans and remove any pieces of precooked meat if desired. Gently fold the beans into the beef mixture until evenly combined.
STEP 5: Finish the Sauce – Add the barbecue sauce, brown sugar, and a few dashes of liquid smoke. Stir everything together until well combined. Reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.
STEP 6: Serve – Transfer the Southern baked beans to a serving bowl. Stir in most of the crispy bacon and sprinkle the remaining bacon over the top before serving warm. Enjoy!
Substitutions & Variations
One of the best parts about this Southern baked beans recipe is how easy it is to customize.
- Substitute ground turkey or mild Italian sausage for the ground beef.
- Use thick-cut bacon for even more smoky flavor. If you do not eat pork, you can sauté the veggies with butter and olive oil.
- Swap Sweet Baby Ray’s for your favorite homemade bbq sauce or another tangy barbecue sauce.
- Add Worcestershire sauce for extra savory depth.
- Replace the brown sugar with maple syrup for a slightly different sweetness.
- Add cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes if you enjoy more heat.
- Mix in pinto beans, white beans, or navy beans for a heartier bean mixture.
- Make this recipe in a slow cooker or crock pot by cooking the meat first, then combining everything and cooking on Low for 3 to 4 hours.
- If you do not have a green pepper, you can use red bell pepper or yellow bell peppers as well.
BBQ Baked Beans Cooking Tips
- Don’t skip cooking the vegetables in the bacon grease, it adds incredible flavor to the entire dish.
- Simmer uncovered so the sauce has time to thicken.
- Stir occasionally to prevent the sugars from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Taste before serving and adjust the salt or barbecue sauce if needed.
- If the beans become too thick, stir in a splash of water or additional barbecue sauce.
- The flavor gets even better after resting for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Double the recipe for your next cookout since these beans disappear quickly.
Storage & Make Ahead Tips
- To Store: Allow the baked beans to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 4 days.
- To Freeze: Store cooled beans in freezer-safe bags or airtight freezer containers for up to 3 months.
- To Reheat: Warm over medium-low heat on the stovetop or microwave in smaller portions until heated through. Add a splash of water or barbecue sauce if the beans have thickened too much.
- Make Ahead: This is one of those favorite recipes that tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for preparing before family gatherings or holiday cookouts.
What to Serve with Southern Baked Beans
These Southern BBQ baked beans pair perfectly with just about any barbecue meal. Try serving them with:
- BBQ Chicken Wings
- Smoked or grilled BBQ ribs
- Grilled Pork Chops
- Grilled Lemon Chicken
- Shrimp Pasta Salad
- Southern Potato Salad
- Coleslaw
- Grilled Balsamic Vegetables
- Southern Style Green Beans
- Seafood Pasta Salad
FAQ
Can I bake these in the oven?
Absolutely. Transfer the bean mixture to a baking dish and bake uncovered at 350°F for about 30 to 40 minutes until bubbly.
Can I make these in a slow cooker?
Yes. Brown the bacon, vegetables, and ground beef first, then combine everything in your slow cooker and cook on Low for 2 to 3 hours.
Do I have to use Bush's Original Baked Beans?
No. While Bush's gives the best flavor and consistency, another different brand of country style baked beans will also work.
Recipe Card
Southern Baked Beans Recipe
Ingredients
- 44 oz Bush's Original Baked Beans, (drained)
- 1 lb Ground Beef, (16 oz)
- 4 slices Bacon, (diced)
- ½ Medium Sweet Onion, (diced)
- 1 Green Bell
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Onion Powder
- 2 tsp Iodized Salt , (adjust to taste)
- ½ Chipotle Chile Pepper
- ¾ cup Barbecue Sauce, (I recommend Sweet Baby Rays)
- ½ cup Packed Light Brown Sugar
- ¼ tsp Ground Black Pepper
- Few Dashes Liquid Hickory Smoke
Instructions
- Dice the bacon into small pieces and cook it in a pot or deep skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and place it on paper towels to drain. Reserve about 2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the pot.
- Add the diced green bell pepper to the bacon grease and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until it begins to soften. Stir in the diced onion and continue cooking until the vegetables are tender and fragrant, about 2 to 3 more minutes.
- Add the ground beef to the vegetables. Break it apart with a wooden spoon and season with onion powder, garlic powder, salt, chipotle chile pepper, and black pepper. Cook until the beef is completely browned, then drain any excess grease if needed.
- Drain the Bush's Original Baked Beans and remove any pieces of precooked meat if desired. Gently fold the beans into the beef mixture until evenly combined.
- To the pot, add the barbecue sauce, brown sugar, and a few dashes of liquid smoke. Stir everything together until well combined. Reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.
- Transfer the Southern baked beans to a serving bowl. Stir in most of the crispy bacon and sprinkle the remaining bacon over the top before serving warm.
Notes
- Thicker Sauce: Drain the baked beans before adding them to the pot for a thicker, richer sauce.
- Flavor Tip: Leave about 2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the pan to build extra flavor.
- Simmering: Simmer uncovered so the sauce can naturally reduce and thicken.
- Flavor Adjustments: Taste before serving and adjust the salt or barbecue sauce to your preference.
- Resting Period: These beans taste even better the next day, making them a great make-ahead side dish.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Texture: If the beans become too thick while reheating, stir in a splash of water or barbecue sauce until they reach your desired consistency.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Craving More?
If you make this Southern Baked Beans recipe, I’d love to see how it turned out! Be sure to tag @elicitfolio on Instagram so I can share your delicious creations. Don’t forget to save this recipe on Pinterest, follow along for more Southern-inspired recipes, and leave a comment below letting me know what side dish you’d like to see me make next. Your suggestions often inspire my next favorite recipe!
