BBQ Baked Beans are an easy side dish recipe and simple to make. BBQ Baked Beans with bacon, canned beans and delicious add-ins like bacon, onion, brown sugar and dijon mustard. Let it bake in the oven and you’re ready to serve this classic bbq summertime dish dish.
Baked beans are a classic comfort food and backyard barbecue staple. But you can easily take canned baked beans from bland to bold with a few simple ingredients. Adding zesty BBQ sauce spices and other flavor boosters transforms basic beans into finger-licking BBQ baked beans in no time.
Overview
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BBQ baked beans make an ideal side dish for barbecues, potlucks and family dinners.
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Start with canned baked beans for convenience then add sauce, seasonings and toppers.
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Tangy BBQ sauce, sweet brown sugar, spicy mustard and more customize the flavors.
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Cook low and slow to let the ingredients meld into saucy, mouthwatering beans.
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Keep it classic or get creative with mix-ins like bacon, onion, pineapple and more.
Ingredients
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1-2 (28 oz) cans baked beans
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1⁄2 cup BBQ sauce (or to taste)
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2-4 tbsp brown sugar
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1-2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
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1-2 tsp mustard
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1⁄4 tsp liquid smoke (optional)
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Salt, pepper, spices to taste
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Chopped onion, bacon, pineapple etc. (optional)
Instructions
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Drain and rinse the canned baked beans to remove excess sauce.
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In a saucepan, stir in BBQ sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire, mustard, and any other flavorings.
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Add beans and stir until fully coated. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
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Reduce heat and cook at least 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
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Add any extras like cooked bacon, onions, peppers and simmer 5 minutes more.
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Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot.
Recipe Customization Tips
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Hickory, honey, spicy or sour BBQ sauce varieties all work great.
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For sweetness, use brown sugar, maple syrup, honey or molasses.
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Spice it up with hot sauce, chili powder, cayenne and chipotle.
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Umami boosters like soy sauce, ketchup or tomato paste add savory depth.
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Stir in smoky flavors with bacon, smoked paprika or liquid smoke.
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Fresh onions, peppers, corn and pineapple add texture and flavor.
FAQs
What type of canned beans work best?
Any variety like original, vegetarian, or maple flavored. Drain any thick sauce.
Do I need to cook the beans before adding sauce?
No, the canned beans are precooked. Just drain, mix in sauce, and simmer.
How long will the beans keep after making them?
About 4-5 days refrigerated. Freeze for longer storage.
Can I prepare BBQ beans in a slow cooker?
Yes, cook on low 4-6 hours. Add any crunchy toppings at the end.
How can I make these beans vegan?
Use oil instead of bacon for sautéing. Omit Worcestershire sauce.
What sides go well with BBQ baked beans?
Cornbread, coleslaw, bread, mac and cheese, potato salad, grilled veggies.
Can I use leftover baked beans in other recipes?
Yes! Work into dips, sandwiches, omelets, nachos or baked bean burgers.
Tips for Serving Success
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Garnish with chopped green onions, cheddar or crispy bacon.
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Serve warm right out of the slow cooker for potlucks.
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Pair with classic barbecue foods like ribs, pulled pork and chicken.
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Top with slaws and salsas for texture and freshness.
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Offer cornbread, biscuits or rolls to enjoy sauce-soaked beans.
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For parties, transfer to a bean pot or crock to keep hot.
Get Creative with Mix-Ins
Basic BBQ beans are delicious but you can also spice them up with unique ingredients.
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Pineapple – For sweetness and a tropical vibe
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Beer or Dr Pepper – For depth and tang
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Coffee – For richness and complexity
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Whiskey – For boozy, bold flavor
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Chipotle peppers – For heat and smokiness
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Kimchi – For a kick of fermented flavor
The options are endless for crafting your own signature BBQ baked beans masterpiece.
Satisfying and Simple BBQ Beans
Canned baked beans make an easy starting point for homemade BBQ baked beans. With just a few extra ingredients like zesty barbecue sauce, sweeteners, and seasonings, you can create beans bursting with finger-licking flavor. Simmer until thickened and spoon onto plates at your next cookout. Or serve them anytime for a taste of summer regardless of the season.
BBQ Baked Beans Recipe (Homemade Baked Beans with Canned Beans)
Classic homemade baked beans made with canned beans are always a hit at gatherings and summer barbecues. The baked beans are easy to make because they are made with canned beans. The bacon, onion, BBQ sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, and Dijon mustard are all tasty additions.
Just a few minutes to get ready, and then you can leave the beans to cook in the oven for an hour. So much rich, hearty, thick flavor that no one will ever even know it started with a can!.
Here is the list of easy ingredients that you will need to make this recipe. Of course, I also give you some tips on how to make this recipe in your own kitchen.
- Bacon: The recipe calls for 6 slices of bacon. Cook this up in a skillet pan until it’s crispy. If you don’t want to cook bacon in a skillet pan (like I do!), you can bake it in the oven or use bacon that has already been cooked and then heat it up in the microwave to make it crispy.
- Onion: I use a yellow onion, but you can use a white onion or a Vidalia sweet onion instead.
- Original Baked Beans – No need to drain these. Just use the entire contents from the can.
- BBQ Sauce
- Brown Sugar: I use light brown sugar, but dark brown sugar is better if you like a stronger molasses flavor.
- Apple cider vinegar or plain white vinegar is the best vinegar to use.
- Dijon Mustard
How to Make Baked Beans with Bacon
Follow these simple steps to make baked beans at home with bacon, canned beans, and BBQ sauce. Make sure you read all the way to the end of the post, where I share a full recipe card with all the ingredients and steps.
- Bacon Take the bacon out of the pan and place it on a paper towel-lined plate. Put the diced onion into the bacon fat and cook it until it gets clear and soft. With a slotted spoon, move the onion to a plate lined with paper towels.
- For baked beans, mix the cooked bacon and onion with the rest of the ingredients. Stir. Pour into a 9×9 baking dish.
- Cook: Let it cook for an hour with the lid off, stirring it every half hour.
Here are a few of my helpful tips!
- Do not drain the beans; instead, put the whole can into the mixing bowl. No need to drain the excess liquid. It will thicken up as the beans cook in the oven for an hour, adding a lot of flavor to the beans.
- Please do not cover the baking dish. The baked beans should be cooked in the oven without a lid. We don’t want to cover the sauce with anything because we want it to get thicker. If we do, the juices will stay inside.
- If you are taking these to a party, barbecue, family get-together, etc., this is a great way to keep them warm until you serve them. Follow the recipe for the beans and bake them. Then, put them in a slow cooker and set it to WARM for a few hours.