Smoky BBQ Baked Beans Recipe

Introduction

Smoky BBQ Baked Beans are a hearty and flavorful side dish perfect for cookouts, family dinners, or weekend meals. Rich with smoky bacon and sausage, these beans combine a sweet and tangy barbecue sauce for a comforting finish. They’re easy to make and sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

• 2 large cans of good quality baked beans (around 28-ounce each)
• 1 pound of ground beef sausage
• 4 to 6 slices of thick-cut beef bacon, diced
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 1 small green or red bell pepper, finely diced (optional)
• 2 to 3 cloves of minced garlic
• 1 cup of BBQ sauce
• ½ cup of dark brown sugar
• 1 to 2 tablespoons of dark molasses
• 1 to 2 tablespoons of prepared yellow mustard
• 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce
• 1 to 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon of chili powder
• 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon of black pepper
• a pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
• ½ cup of water or beef broth (if needed)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Step 2: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the diced beef bacon until slightly crisp. Remove and set aside.
3. Step 3: In the same skillet, cook the ground beef sausage until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
4. Step 4: Add the chopped onion and bell pepper (if using) to the skillet. Cook until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook briefly.
5. Step 5: In a large mixing bowl, combine the baked beans, BBQ sauce, brown sugar, molasses, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, chili powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and cayenne (if using). Mix well.
6. Step 6: Add the cooked sausage, beef bacon, and sautéed vegetables to the bean mixture. Stir until evenly combined.
7. Step 7: If the mixture looks too thick, add water or beef broth to loosen it slightly.
8. Step 8: Transfer everything to a baking dish and spread evenly.
9. Step 9: Bake uncovered for 40 to 50 minutes, until the beans are thick and bubbling.
10. Step 10: Let cool slightly before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and sausage and add smoked paprika and liquid smoke to maintain the smoky flavor.
• Use beef broth instead of water to add extra depth to the sauce if the mixture seems dry.
• Add a splash of hot sauce for an extra kick if you like spicy beans.
• Leftovers make great sandwiches or toppings for baked potatoes.

Storage

Store leftover baked beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or broth if the beans thicken too much.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use canned baked beans with flavors already added?

Yes, but be mindful that some canned baked beans have sweetness or seasoning. Adjust the sugar and spices in the recipe accordingly to avoid overpowering the dish.

Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

Absolutely. You can assemble the mixture the day before, store it covered in the refrigerator, and bake it when ready. Just add extra baking time if baking directly from cold.

Smoky BBQ Baked Beans Recipe

Pin Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.4 from 89 reviews

Smoky BBQ Baked Beans is a hearty and flavorful side dish featuring baked beans cooked with savory ground beef sausage and thick-cut beef bacon. Enhanced with a rich blend of BBQ sauce, brown sugar, molasses, and spices like smoked paprika and chili powder, this dish offers a smoky, sweet, and slightly tangy taste. Baked to perfection, it’s perfect for family dinners, cookouts, or potlucks and pairs wonderfully with grilled meats or simple main courses.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 3 servings 1x
• Category: Side Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Beans and Sauces

• 2 large cans of good quality baked beans (around 28-ounce each)
• 1 cup of BBQ sauce
• ½ cup of dark brown sugar
• 1 to 2 tablespoons of dark molasses
• 1 to 2 tablespoons of prepared yellow mustard
• 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce
• 1 to 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar

Meats

• 1 pound of ground beef sausage
• 4 to 6 slices of thick-cut beef bacon, diced

Vegetables and Spices

• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 1 small green or red bell pepper, finely diced (optional)
• 2 to 3 cloves of minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon of chili powder
• 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon of black pepper
• a pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)

Additional Liquids

• ½ cup of water or beef broth (if needed)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare it for baking the beans.
2. Cook the beef bacon: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook the diced thick-cut beef bacon until slightly crisp. Once done, remove and set aside to drain excess fat.
3. Brown the sausage: In the same skillet, cook the ground beef sausage until fully browned. Drain excess fat from the pan if necessary to avoid greasiness in the final dish.
4. Sauté vegetables: Add the chopped onion and diced bell pepper, if using, to the skillet. Cook until softened and translucent. Then stir in the minced garlic and cook briefly until fragrant.
5. Mix the bean sauce: In a large mixing bowl, combine the baked beans, BBQ sauce, dark brown sugar, molasses, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, chili powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and cayenne pepper if desired. Stir thoroughly until ingredients are well combined.
6. Combine all components: Add the cooked sausage, crispy beef bacon, and sautéed vegetables to the bean mixture. Stir gently to mix evenly.
7. Adjust consistency: If the mixture appears too thick, add up to ½ cup of water or beef broth to loosen it slightly for better baking consistency.
8. Transfer to baking dish: Spread the combined mixture evenly into a baking dish suitable for oven use.
9. Bake the beans: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 40 to 50 minutes, or until the beans are thick, bubbling, and heated through thoroughly.
10. Cool and serve: Remove from oven and let the baked beans cool slightly before serving to allow flavors to mellow and thicken further.

Notes

• You can omit bell pepper if you prefer a less vegetable-forward flavor.
• For a spicier version, increase the cayenne pepper or add hot sauce to the bean mixture.
• Use beef broth instead of water for added depth of flavor if desired.
• Leftovers reheat well and may taste even better the next day.
• If you want a vegetarian version, substitute the sausage and bacon with plant-based alternatives.

Keywords: smoky baked beans, BBQ baked beans, baked beans with sausage, baked beans with bacon, cookout side dish, smoky BBQ side