Why You’ll Love these Delicious BBQ Baked Beans
When you’re looking for the ultimate side dish for your next cookout or family dinner, these BBQ baked beans are going to knock your socks off. The combination of sweet, tangy, and smoky flavors creates a perfect harmony that complements any grilled meat.
I love how versatile these beans are—they work for casual backyard barbecues or holiday feasts. The ground beef makes them hearty enough to serve as a main dish, too. Who doesn’t appreciate a recipe that pulls double duty?
The best part? Most ingredients are pantry staples, and the oven does all the work while you prepare the rest of your meal.
What Ingredients are in Delicious BBQ Baked Beans?
These BBQ baked beans bring together the perfect blend of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors that make them irresistible at any gathering. The foundation of pinto beans gets transformed with a mix of condiments and seasonings that create that signature barbecue taste we all crave. And with the addition of ground beef, these beans become hearty enough to satisfy even the hungriest guests at your next cookout.
- 4 (15 ounce) cans pinto beans with liquid
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup barbecue sauce (Sonny’s Sweet BBQ Sauce recommended)
- 1/3 cup white vinegar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons diced onions
- 1 teaspoon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh coarse ground black pepper
- 1 pound cooked ground beef
When shopping for these ingredients, quality matters, especially with the barbecue sauce. While the recipe suggests Sonny’s Sweet BBQ Sauce, feel free to use your family’s favorite—each brand will give the beans a slightly different character. The cornstarch might seem like a small addition, but it’s essential for achieving that perfect thick texture that clings to your spoon. And don’t skip the ground beef, which transforms these beans from a simple side dish into something that could easily take center stage on your dinner table.
How to Make these Delicious BBQ Baked Beans
Making these BBQ baked beans couldn’t be simpler, but the magic happens during that long, slow bake in the oven. Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees—this moderate temperature allows the flavors to meld without scorching those delicious beans. Pour the entire contents of your 4 cans (15 ounces each) of pinto beans, liquid and all, into a good-sized casserole dish. That bean liquid might look unappetizing now, but trust me, it transforms into part of that luscious sauce we’re creating.
Next comes the thickening agent that gives these beans their perfect consistency. In a small bowl, dissolve 2 teaspoons of cornstarch in 2 tablespoons of water, stirring until completely smooth—nobody wants cornstarch lumps in their beans, right? Add this slurry to the beans and stir to incorporate.
Now for the flavor builders: add 1/2 cup ketchup, 1/4 cup barbecue sauce, 1/3 cup white vinegar, and 1/4 cup brown sugar. These create that sweet-tangy profile we’re looking for. Sprinkle in 2 tablespoons diced onions, 1 teaspoon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon fresh coarse ground black pepper. Finally, fold in that pound of cooked ground beef, which adds heartiness and makes these beans substantial enough for a main dish.
Cover the casserole and slide it into your preheated oven for a full 90 minutes—and yes, it really does need that long. The slow cooking allows all those flavors to get friendly with each other.
Remember to give the beans a good stir every 30 minutes to guarantee even cooking and prevent any burning around the edges. When the timer dings and you remove your masterpiece from the oven, resist the urge to dig in immediately. Let the beans cool for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. This cooling period isn’t just to prevent burnt tongues—it also allows the sauce to thicken to that perfect, cling-to-your-spoon consistency that makes these beans so irresistible.
Delicious BBQ Baked Beans Substitutions and Variations
While this classic BBQ baked beans recipe is already a crowd-pleaser, I’ve found that the beauty of homemade beans lies in how adaptable they’re to your personal taste or whatever ingredients you have on hand.
Don’t have pinto beans? Navy or great northern beans work beautifully.
Vegetarian? Skip the ground beef and add some smoky paprika.
Sometimes I substitute maple syrup for brown sugar when I want a deeper sweetness.
Bacon lovers in your family? Crisp up some chopped bacon instead of beef.
For heat seekers, toss in diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce.
Trust me, these beans welcome improvisation.
What to Serve with Delicious BBQ Baked Beans
Now that we’ve covered how to customize your beans, let’s talk about what goes well alongside them on your plate. These hearty beans practically beg for classic barbecue companions—think juicy pulled pork, smoked brisket, or grilled chicken thighs. Who doesn’t love that smoky-sweet combination?
For a complete spread, I always include a crisp coleslaw (the vinegar cuts through the richness perfectly) and some buttery cornbread for sopping up that delicious sauce.
Simple grilled vegetables or a fresh green salad can lighten things up too. My family goes wild when I serve these beans with charred hot dogs, creating that backyard cookout vibe even in December.
Final Thoughts
These BBQ baked beans have become a staple in my home for good reason—they’re versatile, crowd-pleasing, and ridiculously simple to prepare.
The combination of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors transforms ordinary pinto beans into something truly special.
I often make a double batch and freeze portions for busy weeknights. Trust me, they taste even better the next day when the flavors have had time to meld.
Whether you’re hosting a summer barbecue or craving comfort food on a chilly evening, these beans deliver every time.
The perfect balance of homemade goodness with minimal fuss. My kind of recipe.
BBQ Baked Beans with Ground Beef
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Pour the pinto beans with their liquid into a large casserole dish.
- In a small bowl, dissolve the cornstarch in water, stirring until completely smooth. Add this mixture to the beans and stir to incorporate.
- Add ketchup, barbecue sauce, white vinegar, and brown sugar to the beans, stirring to combine.
- Sprinkle in the diced onions, mustard, chili powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Fold in the cooked ground beef until evenly distributed throughout the bean mixture.
- Cover the casserole dish and bake in the preheated oven for 90 minutes, stirring every 30 minutes to ensure even cooking and prevent burning around the edges.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to thicken to the perfect consistency.
