BBQ Baked Beans are a rich, smoky barbecue side dish made with tender beans, crispy bacon, and a sweet-tangy BBQ sauce. This easy baked beans recipe is perfect for cookouts, potlucks, and pairing with classic barbecue favorites like brisket, ribs, and pulled pork.
Yields 8 Servings Servings Quarter (2 Servings) Half (4 Servings) Default (8 Servings) Double (16 Servings) Triple (24 Servings) Prep Time 15 minsCook Time 1 hrTotal Time 1 hr 15 mins 4 cans baked beans or navy beans, drained
6 slices bacon, diced
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
BBQ Sauce Base
¾ cup BBQ sauce (sweet or smoky)
¼ cup ketchup
¼ cup brown sugar
2 tbsp molasses
1 tbsp yellow mustard
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp black pepper
Salt to taste
Optional Add-Ins
½ tsp chili powder or cayenne (heat)
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
Diced jalapeños or green chiles
Cook the bacon
1
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) .
In a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp.
Remove bacon and set aside, leaving drippings in the pan.
Build the flavor base
Mix the beans
3
Add beans, cooked bacon, BBQ sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, mustard, vinegar, and spices.
Stir well to combine.
Bake low & slow
4
Transfer to a baking dish or keep in oven-safe skillet.
Bake uncovered 45–60 minutes , stirring once halfway through.
Beans should be thick, glossy, and bubbling.
Rest & serve
Side Information (Perfect BBQ Companion)
Pairing Suggestions
7
Beer: Amber ale, brown ale, or lager
Wine: Zinfandel or Syrah
Non-alcoholic: Sweet tea, cola, or lemonade
Tips & Notes
8
Bacon grease is flavor—don’t drain it all.
Beans thicken as they cool; don’t overbake.
For extra smoke flavor, add a splash of liquid smoke or smoked paprika.
Make ahead friendly—flavors improve overnight.
Great cooked on a grill or smoker in a cast-iron skillet at 300–325°F.
Ingredients 4 cans baked beans or navy beans, drained
6 slices bacon, diced
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
BBQ Sauce Base
¾ cup BBQ sauce (sweet or smoky)
¼ cup ketchup
¼ cup brown sugar
2 tbsp molasses
1 tbsp yellow mustard
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp black pepper
Salt to taste
Optional Add-Ins
½ tsp chili powder or cayenne (heat)
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
Diced jalapeños or green chiles
Directions Cook the bacon
1
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) .
In a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp.
Remove bacon and set aside, leaving drippings in the pan.
Build the flavor base
Mix the beans
3
Add beans, cooked bacon, BBQ sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, mustard, vinegar, and spices.
Stir well to combine.
Bake low & slow
4
Transfer to a baking dish or keep in oven-safe skillet.
Bake uncovered 45–60 minutes , stirring once halfway through.
Beans should be thick, glossy, and bubbling.
Rest & serve
Side Information (Perfect BBQ Companion)
Pairing Suggestions
7
Beer: Amber ale, brown ale, or lager
Wine: Zinfandel or Syrah
Non-alcoholic: Sweet tea, cola, or lemonade
Tips & Notes
8
Bacon grease is flavor—don’t drain it all.
Beans thicken as they cool; don’t overbake.
For extra smoke flavor, add a splash of liquid smoke or smoked paprika.
Make ahead friendly—flavors improve overnight.
Great cooked on a grill or smoker in a cast-iron skillet at 300–325°F.
