Delicious smoky, tangy and sweet this southern baked beans recipe is perfect alongside any barbecue - or any dish to be honest. Cooked in a cast iron pot makes them taste even better, but they can be cooked in any way - even in a slow cooker.
My husband James has this Southern Baked Beans Recipe that will warm anyone's soul. It makes me laugh when I think about my upbringing (in England) - eating baked beans was just straight out of the can and heat it up. When I see James going to work on his baked beans he truly puts his heart and soul into it. They are honestly the best baked beans I've ever had!
I know, he uses the canned pork and beans, which to some may be cheating... but not really. They are the base, which is then jazzed up to a beautiful tangy, sweet and meaty dish that will (in his words) "make you slap your momma"!
Jump to:
❤️ Why you'll love it
These beans are literally perfect with anything that comes off the grill. Hot dogs, hamburgers, steak, pork chops. It's all good! Make sure you make them for your next summer cookout.
🧅 Ingredients
- Bacon Strips (slices of bacon)
- Sweet Onion
- Green Bell Peppers
- Celery Stalk
- Garlic
- Ground Meat
- Pork and Beans
- Brown Sugar
- Wholegrain Mustard
- BBQ Sauce
- Creole Seasoning
See recipe card in the post at the bottom for quantities.
🥣 Instructions
- Step 1: We cook off the bacon first, chopped into strips. Once cooked (but not too crispy) remove the bacon and allow to drain on paper towel.
- Step 2: Cook the trinity (diced onion, bell pepper, celery) and garlic in the grease left from the bacon (bacon fat).
- Step 3: Cook the ground meat with the seasoning until no pink remains. Add this to the beans along with the bacon
- Step 4: Allow to cook on a very low heat for 1-2 hours. Garnish the top of the beans with some bacon pieces.
Hint: We like to cook our beans in a cast iron pot, this way they can be put into the oven and baked really low while the barbecue commences.
🔄 Substitutions and Variations
- Pinto Beans - instead of using pork and beans, use canned pinto beans instead.
- Dry beans - you'll need to cook them down first, but you could try making baked beans with dried pintos, or cannellini beans.
- Vegetarian - omit the bacon and the ground meat (boo) and turn this dish into a vegetarian dish.
- Spicy - add chili pepper flakes while cooking to imbue heat into the dish.
- Worcestershire Sauce - Add a little Worcestershire Sauce for seasoning.
- Yellow Mustard - use this instead of the wholegrain mustard.
- Maple Syrup - This can be added to imbue some sweetness if you don't have brown sugar.
- Spicy Brown Mustard - use this in place of the wholegrain mustard.
- Apple Cider Vinegar - add a little of this to balance things out.
- Dry Mustard - you can use this instead of adding mustard.
- Yellow Onion - can be used in place of sweet onion.
- Cayenne Pepper - add this if you want a little heat.
❤ Sharing is Caring - Like Our Facebook Page ❤
📘 Related Recipes
- Kielbasa and Baked Beans Slow Cooker Recipe
- Crock Pot Pinto Beans
- Instant Pot White Beans
- Crock Pot Hoppin' John
🔌 Equipment
I cook our baked beans in a cast iron pot. I have a link in the recipe card below for the size/type I use.
If you don't have a cast iron pot, use a Dutch Oven or other heavy pot.
You could even mix all the ingredients in a large bowl and then transfer to a casserole dish and bake in the oven that way instead.
🧊 Storage
Once cooled completely store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
These southern baked beans do freeze well. Store in a freezer safe container in the freezer for up to 6 months.
💡 Tips
Expert Tip: Don't allow the bottom to burn during cooking, or you could ruin your beans. Make sure to keep the heat low, the secret is low and slow!
Smoked Baked Beans Recipe
Yes, this recipe can actually be made on the smoker to make Smoked Baked Beans. It's the perfect side dish when grilling and gives a really great smoke flavor!
Prepare just like in the recipe but at the point you'd close up the pot and cook on low for 1-2 hours, instead you can add to an aluminum pan (if you prefer) otherwise, keep in the cast iron pot. Put directly on the smoker at 250°F for 2 hours. Stir occasionally.
👩🍳 FAQs
I imagine most people will use ground beef - as we have a few times... but because James is an avid hunter we usually use venison.
Oh yes, this recipe works well in the crock pot. Add an hour or so.
Beans are very high in protein and fiber and so yes, they are good for you. Obviously, the canned version is going to have the added sugar/sodium etc and so won't be as healthy as cooking dried beans.
They are usually made from navy beans or cannellini.
This recipe freezes well for 3 months.
Boston baked beans use molasses, however it is a similar recipe. Swap out the molasses for the barbecue sauce and it's almost identical! Check out this delicious recipe for Boston baked beans.
Depends. If you made the beans from scratch with dried beans the dog could benefit from the nutrition... however, the sodium and sugar in canned baked beans would not be good for them.
If you’ve tried this SOUTHERN BAKED BEANS RECIPE or any other great recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section below, how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers!
If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
You can also follow me on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes!
Southern Baked Beans Recipe
These Southern Baked Beans are so tangy, sweet and meaty they are the perfect accompaniment to any barbecue!
Ingredients
- 8 Strips Bacon
- 1 Large Sweet Onion
- 1 Large Green Bell Pepper
- 1 Large Celery Stalk
- 3 Cloves Garlic
- 1lb Ground Meat
- 4 15oz Cans Pork and Beans
- 1 Tbsp. Brown Sugar
- 1 Tbsp. Wholegrain Mustard
- ⅓ Cup BBQ Sauce
- 1 Tbsp. Creole Seasoning
Instructions
- Chop and cook bacon.
- Remove bacon and put to the side, allowing to drain.
- Cook the trinity (onion, bell pepper and celery) with garlic in the bacon grease.
- Add the beans, sugar, mustard and barbecue sauce and stir to combine.
- Brown the ground meat with the creole seasoning then add back to the beans along with the bacon.
- Stir to combine, cover and cook on low for 2 hours.
Notes
In the south this dish is traditionally served with potato salad.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information
Yield 12 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 424Total Fat 18gSaturated Fat 7gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 9gCholesterol 85mgSodium 1158mgCarbohydrates 36gFiber 8gSugar 5gProtein 31g
Gloria says
Baked beans are one of those recipes that is perfect ALL year round. Great for bbq season. The ultimate comfort food. Perfect for brunch or dinner. Great for potlucks too.
Melanie Cagle says
Thanks Gloria, I agree whole heartedly!
Debbie says
Wow!! What's not to love about these hearty baked beans ? Baked beans are the perfect side dish for any occasion. I love that these are full of meat , the men in my family will adore these. I can't wait to try these.
Melanie Cagle says
I'm so glad you approve, hope you all enjoy them as much as we do!
Chef Dennis says
Hmm yum! I am so excited to try making this Southern Baked Beans recipe of yours! Just the sight of this makes me want to eat it now!
Melanie Cagle says
Thanks Chef Dennis, hope you enjoy it when you get around to making it!
Amy Liu Dong says
Another great bean recipe that the family will surely love. The texture makes it more enticing and the juiciness makes this a tempting one. I'll definitely make this at home.
Melanie Cagle says
Thanks Amy!
Paige says
I ADORE baked beans and these look great. I'll give them a try!
Melanie Cagle says
Thanks Paige, let me know how it goes for you!
Amy says
Oh my goodness! I 've never seen such appetising baked beans before! Love the addition of bacon as bacon just makes everything taste better doesn't it? I like that I can have this for any meal, including breakfast!
Melanie Cagle says
Thanks Amy, bacon sure does that! And yes, I agree, I could eat these beans for breakfast too!
veenaazmanov says
This dish has all the flavors and looks delicious too. Sounds easy and quick to make too. Love to have it for Dinner.
Melanie Cagle says
Thanks Veena, It is really easy! Glad you like it!
Moop Brown says
Yum, these beans look so comforting and filling. A great side dish for any meal
Melanie Cagle says
Thanks Moop, I have to agree!
Mama Maggie's Kitchen says
Mmm... I think I just heard my tummy growl. lol. Thank you for making me hungry!
Melanie Cagle says
Lol, glad to be of service!
Erin says
I love that your husband makes baked beans! That sounds awesome. 🙂 And I love the ingredients in these. I'd totally take these over canned!
Melanie Cagle says
Thanks Erin, you'll never be happy with plain old straight out the can beans again!!
Laura Arteaga says
You step by step pictures made this recipe so easy to follow! At home, we use canned beans and simply heat them up and serve it on the side of our English breakfast, but this recipe is just another level!
Melanie Cagle says
Yes, I grew up like that too!! My husband opened my eyes to just how delicious you can make a dish like baked beans!
Aline says
I love beans but never tried to make southern baked beans before - this recipe looks so easy and delicious we added it to our list to try this week!! We're so excited!!!
Melanie Cagle says
Thanks Aline, I'm glad you like it, let me know how yours go!?
Jo says
Oh wow, the flavors going on in this baked beans recipe is simply wow. Love southern baked beans over any other version any day. Looks absolutely delicious!
Ray Leiter says
Why is "1 lb. Ground Meat" listed twice in the ingredients list?
Melanie Cagle says
Ray, You are absolutely right! That was a mistake so I'm glad you brought it to my attention.
I've gone ahead and fixed it though. Thanks Ray!
Richard says
Headline says "sausage" but no sausage listed in the ingredients--please clarify with type/quantity of sausage if applicable.
Melanie Cagle says
Hi Richard,
I don't use sausage in this recipe, I'm not sure why that article had it in their headline. I'm assuming you're meaning the Fox News headline?