The Best Baked Beans
The Best Baked Beans
About This Recipe
This (best) baked beans recipe is inspired by my friend’s mom, Rocky, who lives in New Orleans and makes the BEST beans I’ve ever had in my life. I never got her actual recipe (tragic), but after years of trial-and-error, tweaking, adding, removing, and taste-testing — THIS is the final version that tastes incredibly close. They’re sweet, smoky, tangy, meaty, and absolutely addictive.
These baked beans are the perfect side dish for BBQs, summer parties, potlucks, and holidays. They pair perfectly with my Deviled Egg Pasta Salad and Sweet & Creamy Coleslaw (recipes below).
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Sweet, smoky, tangy, and ultra flavorful
Uses pantry-friendly ingredients
Bacon AND ground beef — incredibly hearty
Perfect for feeding a crowd
Make-ahead friendly
Always the most-requested dish at cookouts
Ingredients You’ll Need
Bacon – sliced into thin slivers so it gets crispy
Ground beef – 80–85% lean for best texture
Onion – adds savory depth
BBQ sauce – Sweet Baby Ray’s recommended
Brown sugar – caramelized sweetness
Apple cider vinegar – balances the richness
Canned baked beans – Bush’s Brown Sugar Hickory is the best
Salt & pepper – simple seasoning
How to Make It
Cook the bacon until crispy, then sauté the onion in the leftover bacon fat. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Stir in BBQ sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, and baked beans, then bring everything to a simmer. Transfer to a baking dish and bake until thickened and bubbly. Add the crispy bacon on top and finish in the oven so it gets beautifully caramelized. Let cool slightly and DIG IN.
Tips for Success
Don’t skip baking them — stovetop isn’t the same! Baking thickens and caramelizes the sauce.
Use a flavorful BBQ sauce — sweet or smoky works best.
Add more brown sugar if you like extra sweetness.
Make them the day before — the flavor gets even better.
Leave some bacon grease in the pan — it gives the beans that classic smoky, rich taste.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes — they taste even better the next day. Reheat in the oven or stovetop.
Can I use turkey bacon or ground turkey?
You can, but the flavor won’t be as rich. If using turkey, increase the brown sugar slightly.
Can I make these vegetarian?
Yes! Omit the bacon and beef. Add 1 tbsp liquid smoke for flavor.
What BBQ sauce works best?
Sweet Baby Ray’s is my go-to — it gives the perfect balance of sweet and smoky.
Can I freeze baked beans?
Absolutely. Cool fully, then freeze for up to 3 months.
What to Serve With These Baked Beans
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THE BEST Baked Beans
Ingredients
- 12 oz bacon, sliced into slivers
- 1 lb ground beef (I like 80-85% lean)
- 1 large white onion, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup BBQ Sauce
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
- 44 oz baked beans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F
- Cook the bacon in a large pan over medium heat. Once the bacon is cooked and crispy, transfer the bacon to a plate with some paper towel on it to soak up any excess grease. Set bacon aside until step 6.
- Remove a majority of the bacon grease from pan- all but about 2 tablespoons.
- Add the onions to the bacon grease and cook until transparent.
- Add the beef, salt, and pepper to the hot pan and cook until crumbly stirring occasionally.
- Add the BBQ sauce, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar and mix until well combined. Add in the beans and bringing everything to a simmer, stirring frequently.
- Transfer the beans to a 9x13 pyrex dish and bake in the oven at 350°F for about 50 minutes. After 50 minutes, take the beans out of the oven and sprinkle the bacon on top and put the beans back in the oven for another 10 minutes to get the bacon nice and crispy on top. Let cool for about 10 minutes before eating.
