Use What You Have
Southern Baked Beans Recipe
This Southern baked beans recipe is simple to make and packed with flavor. Its a perfect side dish for barbecues, picnics, or potlucks. Follow these steps to create a delicious dish everyone will love.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces lean ground beef
- 3 strips bacon, diced
- 1/2 cup diced yellow onion
- 1/2 cup diced green pepper
- 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
- 2 (28-ounce) cans baked beans
Instructions
Follow these simple steps to make your Southern baked beans:
Step 1: Gather all your ingredients. Make sure everything is prepped and ready to go before you start cooking.
Step 2: Preheat your oven to 350F (175C). This will give it enough time to reach the right temperature while you prepare the other ingredients.
Step 3: In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat for about 5 to 8 minutes, until it's fully browned. Remove the beef from the skillet and set it aside.
Step 4: In the same skillet, cook the diced bacon for 5 minutes, or until it becomes crisp. Add the diced yellow onion and green pepper to the skillet and cook for an additional 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the bacon is crisp and the onion becomes translucent.
Step 5: Add the browned ground beef back into the skillet. Stir in the dark brown sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and yellow mustard. Mix everything together until well combined.
Step 6: Pour the beef mixture and the canned baked beans into a 13x9-inch baking dish. Stir everything together until evenly distributed.
Step 7: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes, or until the mixture is bubbly and heated through.
Test Kitchen Tips
- To make it easier to dice, freeze the bacon for about 20 minutes before cutting.
- You can use any canned baked beans for this recipe. During testing, a vegetarian variety was used due to the meat added later.
What to Serve With Southern Baked Beans
This dish is a great side for barbecue meals, picnics, or potlucks. It pairs perfectly with grilled meats like burgers, ribs, or sausages.
Can You Make Southern Baked Beans Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can prepare the beans the night before. Just assemble the dish and cover it tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight and bake according to the recipe the next day.
Nutrition Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 191
- Total Fat: 3g (4% DV)
- Saturated Fat: 1g (6% DV)
- Cholesterol: 17mg (6% DV)
- Sodium: 506mg (22% DV)
- Total Carbohydrates: 33g (12% DV)
- Dietary Fiber: 5g (17% DV)
- Total Sugars: 17g
- Protein: 11g (22% DV)
- Vitamin C: 4mg (5% DV)
- Calcium: 51mg (4% DV)
- Iron: 2mg (11% DV)
- Potassium: 389mg (8% DV)
Southern Baked Beans are a beloved dish that holds a special place in the heart of Southern cuisine. This comforting side dish is known for its combination of savory and sweet flavors, with a delicious mix of beans, ground beef, bacon, and spices. It is often served as a side at barbecues, family gatherings, and potlucks. Let's take a deeper dive into the origin, regional variations, and the unique characteristics of this dish.
History and Origin of Southern Baked Beans
The origins of baked beans in Southern cuisine can be traced back to early colonial America, where Native American cooking traditions influenced the European settlers. Native Americans often used beans in their cooking, which were cooked slowly with various seasonings and fats. European settlers adapted these recipes, adding ingredients such as pork and sugar, which were more readily available. Over time, these beans became a staple of Southern cooking, evolving into the sweet, savory version we know today.
Regional Variations of Southern Baked Beans
While the basic ingredients of Southern Baked Beans remain consistent, different regions put their own spin on the dish. For example, some Southern variations include the use of molasses or maple syrup instead of brown sugar for a richer flavor. Others may add different spices or herbs to create unique twists. In Texas, where beans are a major part of the diet, you'll find beans cooked with chili peppers or barbecue sauces to complement the bold flavors of smoked meats.
What Makes Southern Baked Beans Unique?
Southern Baked Beans stand out from other baked bean recipes due to their use of hearty ingredients like bacon, ground beef, and Worcestershire sauce. This combination creates a savory, umami-packed flavor profile that contrasts nicely with the sweetness from the brown sugar and ketchup. The dish's key differentiator is the long, slow cooking process, which allows the flavors to meld together and results in a rich, flavorful bean dish.
Where Are Southern Baked Beans Typically Served?
Southern Baked Beans are typically served at outdoor barbecues, family gatherings, and potluck dinners. They are often paired with classic Southern main dishes such as pulled pork, ribs, fried chicken, or burgers. The dish's versatility makes it a popular choice for both casual and festive occasions. Its comforting flavors and easy preparation make it an ideal addition to any meal centered around grilling or outdoor dining.
Interesting Facts About Southern Baked Beans
- Southern Baked Beans are often considered a "comfort food" and are a regular part of Southern hospitality.
- The dish is sometimes referred to as "cowboy beans" in Texas, owing to its hearty, meat-heavy ingredients.
- Beans are a great source of protein and fiber, making this dish not only tasty but also nutritious.
- The slow baking method enhances the natural sweetness of the beans and allows the flavors to develop over time.
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FAQ about Southern Baked Beans Recipe
Comments
Paula
10/06/2025 01:52:54 PM
If I didn’t know better, I’d say Kathryn has been looking over my shoulder as I make my baked beans. The only difference is I add a T of bbq sauce and more ketchup. These beans are so good and go with burgers, hot dogs, BBQ, chicken, and ribs. Take them to a potluck and they’ll be the first dish to go.
DizzyCorn7872
05/16/2025 05:18:56 PM
Too much sugar! I grew up in the South (TX) making Baked Beans from age 7. They really don't need sugar, as the beans, bacon and a dap of butter, along with the W Sauce, etc., create their own sugars as they bake. (To cut down on time, you can add it - but my family never does...we just bake them for min of 3-4 hours.) I'm ALWAYS requested to bring these to get togethers! People really love them, and it's the old-fashioned method of Baking Beans. Try it - you'll be surprised at how sweet they are naturally - and cut out a few calories and a lot of processed sugar!
Nathan Smith
02/29/2024 09:58:53 PM
Bro, I didn’t think I could cook this well.
haraldsonalan
10/12/2023 02:50:55 PM
Pretty good but I changed it a little. Removed ground beef. I used thin sliced salt pork with most of the fat removed before using. Thin sliced canned corned beef . 1 thin sliced onion and 1/2 cup of brown sugar mixed in the catchup.These 3 things I layered over the beans then poured the catchup mustard sauce over the top, about 1 3/4 cups. Spread it around so it gets down in the beans some. While baking keep the liquid level at top of beans.while the picture looks like it’s burned it’s just dark browned.
Rowen
08/31/2023 07:58:17 PM
Perfect semi-homemade cowboy beans. Without the ground burger they are good semi-homemade baked beans.
Sheila LaLonde
08/29/2023 01:16:59 AM
4.5 stars. These were pretty good for a quick baked bean recipe. The ground beef didn't do too much for me, personally, but my husband really liked them and appreciated that they weren't as sweet as some baked beans can be. I subbed red bell pepper for the green, as that's what I had on hand . Thanks for sharing your recipe!
Lindsay
08/17/2023 01:37:34 AM
My whole family liked these. I’d not had beans with a bell pepper in it before, but everyone agreed it’s good that way. I opted for a red bell pepper. I used Bushs brown sugar hickory beans. And the recipe came out with a nice Smokey sweet taste. Solid recipe.
lutzflcat
07/29/2023 03:16:22 PM
I’ve never added green bell pepper (or any other color) to baked beans before, and I think they were a good addition. The other thing that added good flavor and uniqueness was that little bit of ground beef. I made this just for two, so I scaled this all the way down to using one 15-ounce can of beans, and it worked! The only thing I might do next time is add a strip of bacon to the top. Timing was spot on perfect at 40 minutes, and the consistency was exactly how we like it. Thanks for sharing, this was good side kick to grilled burgers and french fried onion rings.
audio version
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