BBQ Baked Beans
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Prepare yourself for the easiest recipes ever for BBQ baked beans. Once you try these, you’ll be left questioning why anyone would settle for plain, dull beans when they could have their taste buds tickled by the sweet, smoky, and savory symphony of flavors found in BBQ baked beans.
Ah, the humble baked beans—a summer staple that has graced countless grills and delighted taste buds across the land. From sun-soaked picnics to sizzling backyard barbecues, these flavor-packed legumes have solidified their spot as the ultimate accompaniment to grilling season. Sure, they may require a bit of prep time, but trust me when I say, the effort is more than worth it!
Why You’ll Love These BBQ Baked Beans
While these require a bit of cooking time, the actual prep time is so minimal which I truly love about this recipe! You really just dump them into a pot and let them cook. Let’s dig into the biggest reasons I love this recipe:
- Quick and easy to prep. This recipe only takes about 15 minutes to prep!
- There’s Bacon. I mean, do I really need to say more? I absolutely LOVE the fact that there is bacon on these beans and it truly makes this recipe so so good!
Ingredients You Need To Make BBQ Baked Beans
It’s time to break out that dutch oven and get it going!
- Dried Great Northern Beans. You need beans to make baked beans and these are my favorite to use!
- Bacon. This adds smokiness and flavor like no other.
- Onion. The hit of onion makes these more than just beans and continues to add amazing flavor throughout the dish.
- Ketchup.
- Brown Sugar. This helps add a bit of sweetness which helps balance the entire dish.
- Salt.
- Dry Mustard.
- Apple Cider Vinegar.
- BBQ Sauce.
- Liquid Smoke. This adds the undeniable flavors of smokiness to the dish.
- Ground Beef. Paired with the bacon, this helps make these baked beans pretty filling with the added protein!
How To Make BBQ Baked Beans
Let’s get started! All you need is about 15 minutes for prep time.
- Soak beans overnight in water in the refrigerator. The next day, drain and simmer in fresh water for 1 hour, until just tender. Drain and reserve 2 cups of the cooking water.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. In a Dutch oven, cook chopped bacon and onion over medium heat until bacon is crispy. Add ground beef and cook until browned.
- Stir in cooked beans, ketchup, brown sugar, salt, mustard, vinegar, apple juice, BBQ sauce, liquid smoke, and pepper. Add enough water to cover beans by about 2 inches.
- Cover and bake at 300°F for 2 hours. Uncover and bake 30 minutes more. If beans are dry or not fully cooked, add the reserved water and bake 30 minutes longer.
Commonly Asked Questions
How long do BBQ Baked Beans stay good for?
These can stay in the fridge for up to a week. You’ll just want to warm them up before you serve them.
What do you serve with BBQ Baked Beans?
This dish is meant to be a side, but is perfectly paired with your favorite burger or meat dish!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Baked Beans are a summer staple and this recipe is perfect for every meal during grilling season. Not only that, but they take classic baked beans and really uplevel the entire experience.
BBQ Baked Beans
Equipment
- measuring spoons/cups
- Dutch Oven
- Stove Top
- Oven
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups dried great northerners soaked overnight in the refrigerator
- 4 slices thick bacon chopped
- 1 onion chopped
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons dry mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup apple juice
- 5 cups water
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 1/2 tsp liquid smoke
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 lb 80/20 ground beef
Instructions
- Soak the Beans: Soak your beans overnight in water in the refrigerator the day before preparing your BBQ Baked Beans.
- Cook the Beans: The next day, drain the soaked beans and transfer them to a large pot. Add fresh water to cover the beans by about 2 inches. Bring to a low simmer and cook for 1 hour, or until the beans are just tender. Drain the beans and save 2 cups of this cooking water for later use.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Cook Bacon, Onion & Ground Beef: In a Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon and onion until the bacon is crispy. Add the ground beef and cook until fully browned. Drain excess grease if needed.
- Combine and Assemble: Add the cooked beans to the Dutch oven. Stir in ketchup, brown sugar, salt, dry mustard, vinegar, apple juice, BBQ sauce, liquid smoke, and black pepper. Add enough water so that the liquids are about 2 inches above the beans.
- Bake Covered: Cover the Dutch oven and place in the oven. Reduce oven temperature to 300°F and bake for 2 hours.
- Uncover and Finish Baking: Remove the lid and bake uncovered for an additional 30 minutes. The liquid should be thick and the beans fully cooked. If needed, add the reserved 2 cups of water and continue baking for another 30 minutes, or until the baked beans reach your desired consistency.