Transform ordinary canned beans into extraordinary barbecue perfection with this easy BBQ baked beans recipe that delivers all the sweet, smoky, and savory flavors of traditional homemade baked beans without the all-day cooking commitment. This crowd-pleasing side dish combines crispy bacon, caramelized onions, rich molasses, and brown sugar to create the ultimate summer comfort food that tastes like it simmered for hours but comes together in just one hour.
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Why This Recipe Works
The brilliance of this BBQ baked beans recipe lies in its strategic combination of convenience and authentic flavor development that creates restaurant-quality results using accessible ingredients. Starting with quality canned beans saves hours of cooking time while still achieving the rich, complex flavors that define great barbecue beans. The bacon provides essential smokiness and richness, while the molasses and brown sugar create the signature sweet-tangy balance that makes these beans irresistible
What Makes These Beans Special
This recipe represents the perfect balance between convenience and homemade quality, transforming simple canned beans into a dish that tastes like it simmered all day in a traditional barbecue pit. The careful layering of flavors through bacon fat, caramelized onions, and the classic combination of molasses and brown sugar creates depth and complexity that rivals any from-scratch version while requiring minimal hands-on time and basic pantry ingredients. This makes them the perfect side dish with a depth of flavor that makes it a great addition to your family.
Ingredients
Protein Base:
- Bacon – Provides essential smokiness, richness, and authentic barbecue flavor
- Onion – Adds sweetness when caramelized and creates aromatic foundation
Bean Foundation:
- Canned pork and beans – Convenient base that saves time while providing proper texture
Flavor Enhancers:
- Prepared yellow mustard – Contributes tangy complexity and traditional barbecue notes
- Brown sugar – Creates signature sweetness and helps develop rich color
- Molasses – Adds deep, complex sweetness and authentic barbecue flavor depth
How to Make BBQ Baked Beans with Bacon
These BBQ baked beans can be made in just about an hour.
- Sauté the onions and bacon until the bacon is cooked but not crispy and the onions are translucent.
- Drain cooked bacon and onions on a paper towel.
- Place beans in a large oven-proof pot.
- Add onions, bacon, yellow mustard, brown sugar, and molasses. Stir to combine.
- Place a lid on the pot.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.
How to Make Slow Cooker BBQ Beans
BBQ baked beans slow cooker style is especially useful for easier toting to and from tailgates and potlucks. For a larger crowd, double the recipe. Here’s what to do:
- Prepare the bacon and onion as directed.
- Combine the beans, mustard, brown sugar, and molasses in a 4—or 5-quart slow cooker. Stir in the bacon and onion.
- Cover and cook on a low-heat setting for 5 to 6 hours or a high-heat setting for 2½ to 3 hours.
What Goes With BBQ Baked Beans?
If you are wondering “what do BBQ beans go with?”, well, the sky is the limit here. Just about anything that comes off the grill can benefit with a massive helping of this best baked beans recipe alongside.
Baked beans also go well with other summer side dishes like:
- Broccoli and Cheese
- Coleslaw
- Corn on the Cob
- Potato Salad
- Watermelon
Serve with homemade lemonade and cornbread too.
Ways to Use BBQ Baked Beans
Here are some other ways to use your baked beans.
- Scramble some eggs with baked beans for a breakfast that will keep you full all morning.
- Top twice-baked potatoes with baked beans.
- Make savory muffins. Fill the muffin case halfway, then place a spoonful of baked beans into each muffin. Top with the rest of the mixture and bake as normal.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
- Reheating Methods: Reheat in microwave in 30-second intervals or 350°F oven for 20-30 minutes until heated through.
- Refrigerator Storage: Covered beans can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, and their flavors improve over time.
- Freezer Storage: Freeze cooled beans in containers for up to 6 months, thawing overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
Love beans? Try these favorite bean recipes!
- Baked Beans with Sausage
- Calico Beans
- Charro Beans
- How to Make Black Beans from Scratch
- Red Beans and Rice
- Refried Beans Instant Pot
Popular Side Dish Recipes
These side dishes are great for summer barbecues and potlucks:
- Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
- Broccoli Salad Recipe
- Cold Spaghetti Salad
- Cucumber Tomato Onion Salad
- Grilled Corn
- Homemade Macaroni Salad
- Homemade Potato Salad
Check out more of the best side dish recipes and easy summer recipes here on CopyKat!
BBQ Baked Beans Recipe – Easy with Bacon and Brown Sugar
Ingredients
- 8 ounces diced bacon
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 56 ounces pork and beans (2 large cans)
- 2 tablespoons prepared yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon molasses
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a medium-sized skillet, saute chopped onions and diced bacon until the bacon is cooked but is not crispy and the onions are translucent.
- Drain cooked bacon and onions on a paper towel.
- Place beans in a large oven-proof pot.
- Add cooked onions and bacon, yellow mustard, brown sugar, and molasses. Stir until all ingredients are well combined.
- Place a lid over the pot.
- Place the pot in the oven and bake at 350 degrees for approximately 1 hour or until the beans are warmed.
I dice the bacon and I do not drain. When I add the beans, I use bottled BBQ sauce and brown sugar and diced onions. No mustard.
I like to add some really good quality artisan sausage and make this a complete meal. A side of cornbread, and it’s dinner. Thanks for a great recipe.
Oo sounds good! I hope you enjoy!
It is a very hungry person.
U can save even more money by using pork n beans. Cook onion and bacon. Add beans and bottled BBQ sauce.. awesome. And real quick