Once you make these BBQ Baked Beans, you’ll never settle for canned ones again!
I’ve spent decades (yes, I hate to admit I’ve been cooking that long) doctoring canned baked beans. Many of you probably have as well. Adding maple syrup, chopped bacon, molasses, apple cider vinegar, yellow mustard, ketchup, or brown sugar is a common practice. Perhaps you’ve even used a few of these ingredients together. It’s time to stop doctoring the cans and start making the best BBQ baked beans from scratch. Trust me, you’ll never want to go back to canned beans again after trying these.
A quick stovetop reheat won’t do much for canned baked beans, which is why many people add extra ingredients and simmer them longer to boost the flavor. This helps thicken the sauce, soften the beans, and give the dish a more homemade taste, but it still doesn’t compare to starting from scratch.
The truth is that homemade baked beans are just plain better. For one thing, the rich caramelization you get from the bacon is hard to beat. Browning the bacon adds a smoky flavor, and the crispy bits transform this side into a delectable treat.
Bring the flavor, bring the heat
Let’s face it, no one wants bland-tasting BBQ baked beans. You want each delectable spoonful to burst with flavor, and if that also includes a bit of heat, bring it on.
After all, some heat is good in baked beans, hence the jalapeño. You can even rev up the heat by adding a couple more jalapeños to the recipe. And you’d be amazed at how one-half teaspoon of cayenne pepper can increase the heat.
If you want to go even hotter, use a little finely diced chipotle or Aleppo peppers, the next hottest on the Scoville scale. A small amount of diced serrano pepper can also take it up a fiery notch, but it’s not for everyone. You may be better off offering different hot sauce bottles and letting everyone add their preferred amount of spice to the beans. Either way, I’m sure it’ll be delicious!
How do I store leftovers?
After letting the BBQ baked beans cool, refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to 4 days. You can also freeze the beans in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Defrost them overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Serving suggestions
Whether planning a cookout, picnic, or game day party, BBQ baked beans are the ideal accompaniment to all your meals. Go for fun with Pigs In A Blanket, Meatball Sliders, Salt-And-Pepper Chicken Wings, and Carolina Coleslaw. Or break out the grill and serve your beans with Grilled London Broil, Chicken Pineapple Kabobs, and Cowboy Burgers. All good BBQs deserve a special dessert, so consider serving a refreshing Peach Crumble topped with vanilla ice cream.
Ingredients
- 1 pound bacon diced
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 1 large jalapeño seeded and diced (or 1 green bell pepper)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 4 cans great northern beans drained and rinsed
- 1 can black beans drained and rinsed
- 3/4 cup brown sugar plus more to taste
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 cup cola
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 275°F.
- In a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, add the diced bacon. Cook until the fat is rendered and the bacon becomes soft, then start to crisp.
- Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and reserve about 1 tablespoon of the bacon fat in the skillet.
- Add the diced yellow onion, diced jalapeños (or green bell pepper), and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the onion softens.
- Stir in the rinsed great northern beans, black beans, brown sugar, barbecue sauce, cola, apple cider vinegar, molasses, Dijon mustard, tomato paste, kosher salt, black pepper, and onion powder. Mix well so that all the flavors blend together. Return the cooked bacon to the mixture.
- Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for about 1 hour. Stir the beans occasionally to prevent sticking and to allow the sauce to thicken evenly. Taste the beans and add up to 1/4 cup more brown sugar if you prefer more sweetness. Mix to dissolve.
- Remove the skillet from the oven and let the beans cool for a few minutes before serving warm.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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