Beefy Barbecue Baked Beans

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 04/29/20
Bean Bake With Cheese
Photo: Diana Rattray
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 45 mins
Total: 60 mins
Servings: 4 to 6 servings

These beefy barbecued beans are a delicious side to serve with pulled pork or burgers. They're excellent for tailgating, potlucks, and cookouts.

Add some bacon or leftover pulled pork to the beans if you have some. Or top them off with some shredded cheddar or cheddar jack cheese just before they come out of the oven.

To feed a crowd, multiply the recipe and keep them warm in a slow cooker for serving.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1/2 pound ground beef (lean)
  • 1/4 cup green pepper (chopped)
  • 1/2 cup onions ( chopped)
  • 1/2 cup celery (chopped)
  • 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 large clove garlic (minced)
  • 2 tablespoons vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon dry mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon thyme
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 large can (approximately 28 ounces) pork and beans

Steps to Make It

  1. Heat the oven to 375 F (190 C/Gas 5). 

  2. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When the oil is hot add the ground beef, onions, green bell pepper, and celery. Cook, stirring frequently until the beef is browned and vegetables are tender. Add the tomato sauce, water, garlic, vinegar, mustard, thyme, and brown sugar. Blend well and then simmer for 5 minutes. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed.

  3. Pour the canned pork and beans into a 2-quart casserole; add the ground beef mixture and stir gently to blend.

  4. Bake at 375 for about 30 minutes. 

Tips and Variations 

  • Barbecue Beans With Pork–Instead of ground beef, or in addition to, add about 1 cup or more of leftover pulled pork.

  • Add some diced cooked bacon to the beans along with the beef.

  • Sprinkle about 1/2 cup of shredded cheese over the beans just before you take them out of the oven, or top each serving with a few tablespoons of shredded cheese.

 

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
263 Calories
8g Fat
33g Carbs
15g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories 263
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 8g 10%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 34mg 11%
Sodium 585mg 25%
Total Carbohydrate 33g 12%
Dietary Fiber 5g 18%
Protein 15g
Calcium 80mg 6%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)