These bacon-forward, beefy baked beans are the kind of side dish that steals the show at summer barbecues. Fast to assemble and full of flavor, they combine ground beef, crispy bacon and a trio of canned beans for a hearty, crowd-pleasing casserole. Originally published May 14, 2015.
Table of Contents
- Baked beans with bacon, to die for
- What you need to make these baked beans
- How to make baked beans with bacon
- More BBQ potluck ideas
- Bacon Baked Beans Recipe
I’m a bridesmaid this season and was tasked with one important assignment: find gold shoes to match the dress. If you think that sounds fun, you clearly enjoy shoe shopping more than I do. My first attempt involved a pair of $20 gold flats I’d had forever. I naively suggested them to the group text and was promptly told, “Heels only.” So began a frantic search for comfortable gold heels that won’t ruin a wedding day.
I don’t have much of a “clothes gene.” I’m grateful for friends and family who pass along pieces they no longer want—some of my favorite items were rescued from hand-me-down piles. Once, I was delighted to find a lacy green top in a stack that seemed destined for donation. I felt like a fashion archaeologist.
Not long after, the owner of that very top showed up and said she’d lost it ages ago. I nearly handed it back on the spot. But that’s family—borrowing, keeping, forgetting, then rediscovering. If you have any tips for comfortable gold heels that can survive an entire wedding day, I’m listening.
Now back to food. These baked beans were worth the hunt. I first tried them at a church potluck and tracked down the cook until my friend Marcia finally shared the recipe. The result is a thick, savory baked bean casserole loaded with meat and crunchy bacon bits—everything a BBQ side should be.
Baked beans with bacon, to die for
These are, in my opinion, the best baked beans you can bring to a summer gathering. They’re rich and meaty—made with a full pound of ground beef and a full pound of bacon—yet quick because they start with canned beans. The recipe yields a thick, slightly crisp-topped casserole rather than a thin, soupy crockpot style. It’s forgiving, feeds a crowd, and the hands-off baking time lets you focus on other prep or on chasing down that elusive pair of shoes.
The mix of baked beans, pork-and-beans, and black beans creates textural contrast, and the barbecue sauce plus mustard and Worcestershire add depth. If you like a sweeter or smokier profile, adjust the BBQ sauce to taste.
What you need to make these baked beans
Wondering what improves canned baked beans? The answer is simple: meat. Ground beef and bacon are the stars here. Below is a concise ingredient list—see the recipe card for precise measurements.
- Ground beef (90% lean recommended)
- Bacon
- Yellow onion
- 28-oz can baked beans
- 15-oz can pork and beans
- Black beans, drained and rinsed
- Barbecue sauce
- Yellow mustard
- Worcestershire sauce
How to make baked beans with bacon
These baked beans are straightforward. The basic sequence:
- Brown the ground beef and set aside.
- Cook the bacon until crisp, then drain most of the fat, leaving about a tablespoon.
- Sauté the chopped onions until translucent.
- Combine the beef, bacon, onions, all the canned beans, barbecue sauce, mustard and Worcestershire in a large bowl. Taste and adjust the seasoning or sauce as needed.
- Spread the mixture in a 9×13 pan and bake until bubbling and slightly crisp on top.
Most of the time is hands-off baking, which makes this a great make-ahead dish for potlucks and backyard cookouts.
Bring this to your next barbecue and watch it disappear. It pairs beautifully with grilled hot dogs, burgers, or any smoked meats.
More BBQ potluck ideas
Traditional Tejano Pinto Beans (slow cooker) — flavorful and makes a lot
Fresh Coleslaw with Lemon and Herbs — bright and different from classic coleslaw
Easy BLT Pasta Salad — bacon, lettuce and tomato in a shareable pasta salad
Best Ever Potato Salad — a reliably crowd-pleasing side
The Best Macaroni Salad Recipe — even people who usually skip macaroni salad love this
Lemon Lush Dessert — a light, refreshing summer dessert
White Texas Sheet Cake — a simple sheet cake for big groups
Bacon Baked Beans
These bacon-y, beefy baked beans come together quickly and make a hearty, unforgettable BBQ side dish.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef (90% lean)
- 1 pound bacon
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 1 — 28-oz can baked beans (I used Bush’s Original)
- 1 — 15-oz can pork and beans
- 2 — 30-oz cans black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup barbecue sauce (Sweet Baby Ray’s recommended)
- 1/4 cup yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Transfer the beef to a large bowl and discard excess fat.
- In the same skillet, cook the bacon until crisp. You may chop the bacon before cooking or crumble it after. Drain the bacon on paper towels and reserve about 1 tablespoon of bacon grease in the skillet; discard the rest.
- Sauté the chopped onion in the reserved bacon grease until translucent, about 5–8 minutes.
- In the large bowl, combine the cooked ground beef, bacon, sautéed onions, baked beans, pork and beans, drained black beans, barbecue sauce, mustard and Worcestershire sauce. Taste and add more BBQ sauce if you prefer a sweeter or tangier profile.
- Spread the mixture into a 9×13-inch baking pan. Bake at 400°F for 30 minutes uncovered.
- Lower the oven temperature to 350°F, cover the pan with foil, and bake another 20–30 minutes until bubbling and heated through.
- If you like extra crispiness on top, place the pan under the broiler for 1–3 minutes at the end—watch closely to prevent burning. Serve hot.
Notes
*Use 90% lean ground beef to avoid a greasy finished dish.
Source: Marcia (shared at a potluck)
Nutrition
Serving: 1 cup | Calories: 390 kcal | Carbohydrates: 15 g | Protein: 24 g | Fat: 26 g | Saturated Fat: 9 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11 g | Trans Fat: 1 g | Cholesterol: 77 mg | Potassium: 471 mg | Fiber: 1 g | Sugar: 10 g | Vitamin A: 88 IU | Vitamin C: 2 mg | Calcium: 33 mg | Iron: 2 mg
Course: Side Dish | Cuisine: American | Calories: 390 | Keyword: bacon, baked beans
Did you make this? I’d love to see it! Mention @thefoodcharlatan or tag #thefoodcharlatan on social media.