Baked Beans

These hearty Baked Beans with Bacon and Ground Beef are easy to make over the stovetop or in a slow cooker. This recipe has a sweet and savory brown sugar sauce and is the perfect side dish to bring to any backyard BBQ or summer potluck.

We’ve packed these canned baked beans with ground beef, onions, and bacon that’s all simmered in a sweet brown sugar BBQ sauce. If you’ve never tried real home cooked baked beans, this recipe will absolutely blow you away.

Best Baked Beans with Bacon and Ground Beef

This homemade baked beans recipe is a classic hearty side dish to serve at your next BBQ. It uses canned beans, bacon, ground beef, and has a sweet and savory brown sugar sauce made with ketchup, BBQ sauce, and mustard.

Baked beans are quick to prepare and can easily be cooked in the oven or a slow cooker. Feel free to spice up your beans a bit by adding flavorings such as sriracha and Worcestershire sauce. You could also make these into vegetarian baked beans by eliminating the bacon and ground beef. 

It’s easy to see why baked beans are a classic BBQ favorite. With this recipe, you can make some that taste so much better than premade baked beans from the can.

Homemade Baked Beans Ingredients

• Bacon – any type of bacon will work great. You will need roughly 12 slices to make this recipe.
• Onion – I like to use a white onion or yellow onion, minced.
• Ground Beef – in order to avoid greasy Baked Beans, try and use a leaner ground beef for this recipe.
• Salt and Pepper
• Beans – I love to use cans of Pork and Beans because they have so much rich flavor. You could also substitute Great Northern Beans, pinto beans, or red kidney beans.
• Brown Sugar – light brown sugar works great. You could substitute molasses if you wanted to make a version of Boston Baked Beans.
• Ketchup – any type of ketchup will work great to add tomato. You could also substitute tomato paste.
• BBQ Sauce – you can use your favorite type of BBQ sauce for this recipe.
• Dijon Mustard – you just need a little bit of dijon mustard to counter some of the sweetness and add a bit of tang. If you prefer the flavor you could also use yellow mustard.
• White Wine Vinegar – this also helps balance the sweetness of the beans.

How to Make Baked Beans with Ground Beef

1. Cook the bacon. In a large skillet, fry the bacon until crisp.  Drain on a paper towel and set aside.  
2. Cook the onions and ground beef. In the same skillet with bacon grease, add the minced white onion. Saute over medium heat until translucent and golden brown.  Add the ground beef, salt, and pepper to taste, then cook until there is just a little pink remaining – about 5-7 minutes.
3. Add the rest of the ingredients. Once the beef is almost cooked, add the pork and beans (do not drain), brown sugar, ketchup, bbq sauce, mustard, and vinegar.  Stir until combined. 
4. Bake. Pour into a 9″ x 13″ baking dish and spread evenly.  Cut bacon into 2″ strips and add to the top of the beans.  Bake in your preheated oven for about 1 hour, or until the sauce has thickened and the beans are tender.
5. Serve. Remove from the oven and serve warm. Enjoy!

How to Make Slow Cooker Baked Beans

To make Slow Cooker Baked Beans, you will prep them exactly the same except that you will add them to a slow cooker instead of a baking dish. Cook on high heat for about 1 ½ hours or on low heat for 2-3 hours.

Recipe Variations

Whether you prefer classic comfort food or bold and spicy recipes, here are baked beans variations that will satisfy it all.

• Vegetarian Baked Beans: Swap out the smoky flavor of bacon for by using smoked paprika or liquid smoke.
• Chili Baked Beans: Kick up the heat by adding chili powder and/or jalapeños. For an extra punch, experiment with hot sauce or red chili flakes. Balance the spice with a touch of sweetness from maple syrup or honey.
• Southwestern Baked Beans: Give your beans a Southwestern twist by adding cumin, oregano, and a squeeze of lime juice. For additional texture, mix in corn kernels and top with fresh cilantro before serving.
• Maple-Glazed Baked Beans: Swap out the brown sugar for maple syrup and add a touch more Dijon mustard. This variation is perfect for breakfast or brunch, served alongside crispy bacon and eggs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Storing and Reheating Instructions

• Refrigerator: store completely cooled beans in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• To reheat: you can reheat Baked Beans in the microwave or on the stovetop over medium low heat.
• Make-ahead instructions: you can either make your Baked Beans the night before and reheat the next day. Or, you can prepare the beans by combining all ingredients, then store in the fridge and cook the next day.

More of the Best Side Dishes To Try

• Zucchini Fries
• Easy Frog Eye Salad
• Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
• Refried Beans
• Caprese Pasta Salad
• Broccoli Salad with Bacon
• Chipotle Black Beans
• Parmesan Roasted Red Potatoes
• Garlic Parmesan Orzo
• Slow Cooker Beans and Rice
• More Summer Recipes
• More Easy Side Dishes

This easy Homemade Baked Beans Recipe with ground beef is a classic side that is always a hit. They’re made with canned beans, bacon, ground beef, and a sweet and savory brown sugar sauce.