BBQ Baked Beans Recipe
Introduction
BBQ Baked Beans are a comforting side dish perfect for any cookout or family meal. This recipe combines smoky bacon, tender beans, and a rich, flavorful sauce with just the right amount of sweetness and tang.
Ingredients
- 1 pound bacon (diced)
- 1 small yellow onion (diced)
- 1 large jalapeño (seeded and diced) or 1 green bell pepper
- 1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 4 cans great northern beans (drained and rinsed)
- 1 can black beans (drained and rinsed)
- 3/4 cup brown sugar (plus more to taste)
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 cup cola
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 275°F (135°C).
- Step 2: In a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, add the diced bacon. Cook until the fat renders and the bacon softens, then continues until it starts to crisp.
- Step 3: Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and keep about 1 tablespoon of the bacon fat in the skillet.
- Step 4: Add the diced yellow onion, jalapeño (or green bell pepper), and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for about 5 minutes, until the onion softens.
- Step 5: Stir in the drained beans, brown sugar, barbecue sauce, cola, apple cider vinegar, molasses, Dijon mustard, tomato paste, kosher salt, black pepper, and onion powder. Mix well to combine all the flavors, then return the cooked bacon to the mixture.
- Step 6: Place the skillet uncovered in the preheated oven. Bake for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and help the sauce thicken evenly.
- Step 7: Taste the beans and add up to 1/4 cup more brown sugar if you want it sweeter. Stir to dissolve the sugar completely.
- Step 8: Remove the skillet from the oven and let the beans cool for a few minutes before serving warm.
Tips & Variations
- For a milder version, substitute the jalapeño with green bell pepper.
- Add a splash of smoked paprika or chipotle powder for extra smoky heat.
- Use maple syrup instead of brown sugar for a different sweet note.
- If you don’t have a cast-iron skillet, a baking dish will work just as well.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of water if the beans are too thick. These beans also freeze well for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use other types of beans?
Yes, you can swap great northern and black beans with other white beans, pinto beans, or kidney beans to suit your preference.
Is it necessary to use cola in this recipe?
Cola adds sweetness and helps tenderize the beans, but if you prefer, you can substitute it with root beer, apple juice, or extra barbecue sauce.
PrintBBQ Baked Beans Recipe
This BBQ Baked Beans recipe combines smoky bacon with a hearty blend of great northern and black beans, simmered in a flavorful mixture of barbecue sauce, cola, and spices. Slow-baked to perfection, these beans offer a sweet, tangy, and smoky side dish that’s perfect for summer cookouts or cozy meals year-round.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound bacon, diced
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 large jalapeño, seeded and diced (or 1 green bell pepper)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic
Beans
- 4 cans great northern beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
Flavorings and Sauces
- 3/4 cup brown sugar (plus more to taste)
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 cup cola
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 275°F to prepare for slow baking the beans.
- Cook bacon: In a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, add the diced bacon. Cook until the fat renders and the bacon softens, then continue cooking until the bacon starts to crisp.
- Reserve fat: Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set it aside. Leave about one tablespoon of the rendered bacon fat in the skillet for sautéing the vegetables.
- Sauté vegetables: Add the diced onion, jalapeño (or green bell pepper), and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the onion softens and the aromas develop.
- Combine ingredients: Stir in the drained great northern beans, black beans, brown sugar, barbecue sauce, cola, apple cider vinegar, molasses, Dijon mustard, tomato paste, kosher salt, black pepper, and onion powder. Mix well to blend all flavors evenly. Return the cooked bacon to the skillet and stir to incorporate.
- Bake beans: Place the skillet uncovered in the preheated oven. Bake for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and to allow the sauce to thicken evenly. Taste and add up to 1/4 cup more brown sugar if you prefer the beans sweeter. Stir thoroughly to dissolve the sugar.
- Cool and serve: Remove the skillet from the oven and let the beans cool for a few minutes. Serve the beans warm as a delicious side dish.
Notes
- For a milder flavor, substitute the jalapeño with green bell pepper as indicated.
- Use a cast-iron skillet or an oven-safe dish to ensure even cooking during baking.
- Adjust sweetness by adding more brown sugar according to your preference after baking.
- These beans can be made ahead and re-heated; flavors improve when rested overnight.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and substitute with smoked paprika or liquid smoke for a similar smoky taste.
Keywords: BBQ baked beans, baked beans with bacon, smoky baked beans, barbecue side dish, great northern beans recipe, easy baked beans
