Southern Baked Beans Recipe
These Southern Baked Beans are loaded with savory ground beef, crispy bacon, sweet barbecue sauce, brown sugar, and smoky seasonings for the ultimate backyard cookout side dish. Ready in just 45 minutes, this easy Southern baked beans recipe is always a crowd favorite for BBQs, potlucks, family reunions, and holiday gatherings.
Servings: 20
Calories: 185kcal
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
Calories: 185kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 648mg | Potassium: 312mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 49IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 47mg | Iron: 2mg