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June 10, 2021 1 Comment

Best Ever Baked Beans

A large pot of Best Ever Baked Beans. A black serving spoon with a scoop of baked beans is held in the pot and just above the rest of the beans.

 Smoky, slightly sweet and tangy, lots of bacon and ground beef, these beans are absolutely amazing. Naming them Best Ever Baked Beans doesn’t feel like it does them justice, but I hope you will trust me when I say these truly are outrageously delicious, and everything and more than a baked bean recipe should be. You can make them in a Dutch oven over hot coals or in a regular pot in your oven at home. Incredibly delicious either way! The perfect addition to summer barbeques and campouts. 

These baked beans could actually make a meal all on their own. They are so hearty, and the flavor is absolute perfection! I found myself coming back for just one more spoonful. This recipe comes from my friend, Bente. Her father-in-law loves and excels at Dutch oven cooking, and this is one of his signature recipes. After making it and taking a bite, I can see why! You are going to absolutely love these remarkable baked beans.

I realize I am waxing poetic about these beans, but trust me when I say you will be, too. Baked beans have never been something I get excited about, but I.could.not.stop going back for more of these beans. I can’t wait for you to make them!

A large cooking pot filled with baked beans recipe. On the right side a black serving spoon is in the pot with a scoop of beans and held above the rest of the beans.More Perfect Sides for a Barbecue

  • Classic Broccoli Salad
  • Potato Salad with Old Bay and Bacon
  • Frog Eye Salad
  • Spaghetti Pasta Salad
  • Ultimate Seven Layer Bean Dip
  • Texas Caviar

Step-by-step pictures for how to make The Best Ever Baked Beans

7-photo picture of step-by-step photos on how to make baked beans.A large pot of the Best Ever Baked Beans with a black serving spoon held vertically into the pot with a scoop of beans in the upper right hand of the photo.Frequently Asked Questions for how to make the Best Ever Baked Beans

What type of Barbecue Sauce do you recommend in this recipe?

You can use any type of barbecue sauce. I recommend using your favorite. I used Original Sweet Baby Rays.

Do I Need to use those exact beans, or can I substitute a different type or use two cans of the same type?

The combination of beans is perfect, and if possible, you should keep to the exact ones called for. But if you are itching to make them and can’t make it to the store, use what you have. An extra can of black beans or white beans in place of the pork and beans will all yield awesome results. If you don’t use the pork and beans, add an extra tablespoon of brown sugar to make up for the sweetness they would have added.

Is it okay to cook the bacon in the microwave or oven instead of in the pot?

You can cook the bacon however you want. If you do it in the microwave or oven, try to retain at least a tablespoon or two of the grease to add flavor to the beans. I like to cook it in the pot, so when I add the onions, peppers, and beef, there is already a little grease to get them going. 

Are these beans spicy?

I like to add two jalapenos (seeded) to these beans. It doesn’t make them spicy at all. If you would like them to be a little spicy, you can leave some seeds in the jalapenos instead of removing them.

A black serving spoon with a scoop of beans held at an angle on the right into a large pot of baked beans.Can I Bake these in disposable 9×13 pans instead of a large pot?

Yes. This is especially a great idea if you are taking them to a potluck or event. You don’t have to worry about leaving your pan there. The recipe makes a large amount so you will need the deep 9×13 disposable pan.

What is the best way to store the leftovers?

Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 5 days. Just make sure they are in an airtight container.

Are these beans gluten-free?

As long as you use gluten-free barbecue sauce, these beans should be gluten-free. Two-photo Pinterest picture with the text of the title in the middle.

Serve with...

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5.0 from 1 reviews
Best Ever Baked Beans
 
Print
Prep time
30 mins
Cook time
90 mins
Total time
2 hours
 
Smoky, slightly sweet and tangy, lots of bacon and ground beef, these beans are absolutely amazing. You can make them in a Dutch oven over hot coals or in a regular pot in your oven at home. Incredibly delicious either way! The perfect addition to summer barbeques and campouts.
Author: My friend Bente's Father-in-law
Cuisine: Barbecue
Serves: 16-20
Ingredients
  • 1 lb bacon, sliced into small pieces
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 2 jalapenos, seeded and chopped (optional)
  • 1 can black beans
  • 1 can white beans
  • 1 can kidney beans
  • 1 can butter beans (lima beans)
  • 1 can pork and beans
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup barbecue sauce
  • 1 tbsp liquid smoke
  • 1 tbsp white vinegar
Instructions
  1. In a large oven-safe pot (or a Dutch oven if cooking over coals) cook the bacon. Remove the bacon and set aside. Also, remove all but 1-2 tbsp of bacon grease.
  2. Add the diced onions, chopped (seeded) jalapenos, and ground beef. Salt and pepper the meat as you brown it. Once the meat is browned, add in the cooked bacon and the remaining ingredients.
  3. When you add the beans, don't drain and rinse them. Just drain them almost all the way, leaving about 25% of the liquid, and pour them into the pot.
  4. Add the ketchup, brown sugar, bbq sauce, liquid smoke, and vinegar.
  5. Mix everything together well, cover with a lid, and bake in the oven at 350 for 1 hour and 30 minutes.
  6. If using a Dutch oven, cover with a lid and continue cooking with the coals for 2 hours.
  7. Serve and enjoy!
3.5.3251

 

Add Bread to the Menu

Three rows of Baked Lunch Lady Cafeteria Rolls for a total of nine rolls.Lunch Lady Cafeteria Rolls {Step by Step Pictures and Instructions….NO MIXER NEEDED}Jalapeno Cheddar Batter BreadHow to Make Perfect Artisan Bread {Step by Step Instructions and Pictures}

Pinterest picture with the text of the title of the recipe at the top.

 

Beans/Legumes, Beef, Black Beans, Dinners, Fourth of July, Gluten Free, Ground Beef, High Fiber Recipes, Holiday, Ingredients, Kidney Beans, Main Categories, Meats, More, Recipes, Seasonal, Side Dishes, Soup/Stew/Chili, Summer
baked beans recipe, baked beans with bacon, baked beans with ground beef, bbq baked beans, bbq baked beans recipe, Best ever Baked Beans, Dutch oven baked beans, Dutch oven recipes, Dutch oven sides, homemade baked beans, homemade baked beans recipe, potluck sides
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1 Comment

  1. Bente

    June 11, 2021 at 8:26 am

    Just anticipating baking these makes me hungry and happy – I never thought I’d say that about a baked bean recipe! The father-in-law referenced for this recipe grew up on a ranch in the Western U.S. surrounded by sage brush and cattle. This recipe is as authentic as ranch hands themselves and the deep flavor of this dish definitely reflects that.

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Hi, I'm Maria. A mom of five and a total foodie. My superpower is taking ordinary recipes and making them DELICIOUS. Your family will LOVE these meals! Come cook with me, I promise it will be amazing! Get started here or search my archives below.


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