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easy baked beans recipe

Baked Beans Recipe

This easy baked beans recipe is sweet, smoky, and loaded with flavor. Make them in the oven or slow cooker — the perfect side dish for any BBQ! I’ve tested this baked beans recipe for years, and it always disappears first at family gatherings. Sweet and savory with brown sugar, barbecue sauce, and bacon, they’re crowd-pleasing every single time.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 Servings
Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 6 cups canned pork and beans about 3 cans, 15 oz each
  • 6 slices bacon chopped
  • 1/2 pound ground beef optional, but hearty!
  • 1 small onion diced
  • 1/2 green bell pepper diced
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup barbecue sauce use your favorite!
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Preheat & prep:
  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a large baking dish or casserole dish. (5 minutes)
  • Cook the bacon & beef:
  • In a large skillet over medium heat, cook chopped bacon until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. In the same pan, add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking up any clumps. Drain excess fat. (10 minutes)
  • Sauté veggies:
  • Add diced onion and green pepper to the skillet with the cooked beef. Sauté until softened, about 4–5 minutes. (5 minutes)
  • Mix it all up:
  • In a large bowl, combine pork and beans, cooked bacon, beef and veggie mix, brown sugar, barbecue sauce, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir well until fully combined. (5 minutes)
  • Bake:
  • Pour mixture into your greased baking dish. Bake uncovered for 45–60 minutes, or until bubbly and slightly thickened with caramelized edges. (45–60 minutes)
  • Serve:
  • Let the beans rest for 5–10 minutes to thicken before serving. Perfect with burgers, hot dogs, or grilled chicken! (5 minutes)

Notes

  • Use a mix of beans: If you like, combine different beans for texture — kidney beans, pinto beans, or navy beans.
  • Slow Cooker Option: Combine everything in your crock pot and cook on LOW for 5–6 hours or HIGH for 2–3 hours.
  • Caramelized edges: Baking uncovered helps the edges get sticky and sweet.
  • Add more sauce if needed: If your beans get too thick, stir in a splash of water or more BBQ sauce.
  • Taste as you go: Adjust the sweetness with extra brown sugar or more mustard for tang.
Keyword baked beans recipe, easy baked beans, perfect side dish, brown sugar, slow cooker, barbecue sauce, yellow mustard, ground beef, dry beans