BBQ Baked Beans are the ultimate comfort food side dish, bringing a rich, smoky flavor to backyard cookouts, potlucks, and family dinners alike. Slow-cooked to perfection, these beans are typically simmered in a sweet and tangy barbecue sauce that features molasses, brown sugar, ketchup, mustard, and a hint of spice. The result is a hearty, satisfying dish that pairs perfectly with grilled meats, burgers, and cornbread.
What makes BBQ Baked Beans truly irresistible is the depth of flavor developed over time. Whether made with canned beans for convenience or soaked from scratch for a more traditional approach, the secret lies in the low-and-slow cooking process that allows all the ingredients to meld together beautifully. Many home cooks love adding crispy bacon or smoked sausage for extra richness and texture, turning a simple side dish into a star of the meal.
BBQ baked beans are incredibly versatile too. You can make them vegetarian by skipping the meat and using smoked paprika or liquid smoke for that deep barbecue flavor. Spice lovers can add a dash of hot sauce or chili powder to give them a kick. Some like them sweeter, others prefer more tang. There’s plenty of room to make it your own.
Whether you’re pairing them with grilled chicken, ribs, burgers, or serving them as part of a potluck spread, baked beans are a classic that always delivers. Warm, rich, and filling, they bring people together with every bite.
Easy to prepare, BBQ Baked Beans can be made in the oven, slow cooker, or even on the stovetop, depending on your preference. They also reheat well, making them a great make-ahead option for gatherings. Whether you’re hosting a summer barbecue or just craving something warm and satisfying, BBQ Baked Beans deliver big flavor with minimal fuss.
Ingredients
- 3 cans pork & beans 14 oz each, drained
- 1 pound Oscar Mayer Little Smokies
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp spicy brown mustard
- 6 oz BBQ sauce
- 4 slices bacon thick-cut
- 1 onion chopped small (optional)
Instructions
Preheat Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Prepare Ingredients:
- Drain the sauce from the pork & beans.
- Chop the onion into small pieces if using.
- Cut the thick-cut bacon into smaller pieces.
Mix Ingredients:
- In a large baking casserole dish, combine the drained pork & beans, Little Smokies, brown sugar, spicy brown mustard, BBQ sauce, bacon pieces, and chopped onion (if using).
- Lightly mix all the ingredients until well combined.
Bake:
- Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven.
- Bake at 350°F for 2 hours.
Stir and Serve:
- After baking, stir the mixture well.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Nutrition
I think BBQ beans should have more BBQ…too bland.
Yummm! I added some jalapeños for a kick. Delish!
This recipe rocks! Added some jalapeños for kick, and it was fire! 🔥🔥
Sounds delicious! I’m definitely trying the jalapeños next time. Thanks for the tip!
These beans were a hit at our BBQ! So tasty and easy to make!
I don’t get why everyone raves about these. They are just beans with BBQ sauce. Meh.
These are the best beans I’ve ever made! So tasty!
I’m glad you loved them! I’ve tried making BBQ beans before, but they never turn out right. What do you think makes these so special?
Best beans? Really? I doubt that. How can canned beans be the best? Maybe you need to try making them from scratch!
Not as good as I expected. Maybe I just don’t like baked beans? The mustard threw me off.
omg, the smokies are the best part! mmmmmm!!!
Totally agree! The smokies add such a unique flavor to the beans. Can’t get enough of them!
Really? I thought bacon would make it better than smokies. But maybe I won’t knock it till I try it!
Why use canned beans? Just cook them from scratch! Even if it takes long.
I wasn’t sure about the combination of ingredients, but they turned out amazing! Will definitely make again.
Beans is beans! I just threw it all in a pot without the oven and it turned out ok.
1/2 cup brown sugar??? 🧐
Honestly, I don’t get the hype. They tasted fine, but not mind-blowing.
Too sweet for my taste. I think I might cut down the sugar next time. But my kids loved it! 🤷♂️
I didn’t have pork & beans, so I used kidney beans instead. Not the same! Can you even call it BBQ baked beans if you switch the beans? 🤔
But it’s not BBQ baked beans if you don’t use pork & beans! You’re just making a different recipe. 🤷♂️
I think using kidney beans is fine! As long as you love it, right? Taste is what matters!
This recipe was awesome! The bacon added a nice crunch. Will serve this at the cookout!
These beans were a hit at our barbecue! Super easy to make and everyone loved them. Will definitely make again.
Too much sugar for my liking, but the kids loved them.
Watz up with this recipe? I thought it would be more complicated, but it’s just some can food?
So yummy! I added some jalapenos for a kick. Loved it!
Best bean recipe ever! 😍
Made this for my BBQ, everyone ate it up! Even the picky eaters. 👏
That’s awesome! 🎉 I love when picky eaters enjoy the food! Did you change anything in the recipe?
Sounds good and all, but isn’t BBQ baked beans just full of sugar? Not really my thing.
literally just tossin’ cans together ??? i mean come on! 1 star.
Isn’t this just dump n bake? I want somethin foodie…
Ummm, do you seriously need 4 slices of bacon? Seems like overkill to me. But I guess bacon makes everything better?
I tried this recipe, but used turkey bacon instead. Still tasted great! Will definitely make again.
Does turkey bacon really taste the same? I think it might be kinda dry. But if you liked it, that’s what matters!
Turkey bacon? Interesting choice! I bet it added a unique twist. Glad you liked it!
These BBQ baked beans are a hit at every party! The flavors mix so well together. Definitely making again!
I’m not sure about the Little Smokies, sounds weird to me. Can I use real sausage instead? I don’t like processed stuff.
I totally understand! You can definitely use real sausage if you prefer. Just make sure to cook it first before adding it to the beans.
I think I used normal mustard by mistake. Whoops! Still tasted real good tho.
These beans make me feel like a grill master! BBQ goodies!
Haha, I love that! Nothing like BBQ beans to elevate your grill game. They really are a crowd favorite!
Bacon is life. But they don’t look like the pic…
I get what you mean! The pic looks perfect, but mine never turn out like that either. Still love it though!
Not the best beans I’ve ever had. They were kinda sweet for my taste. But easy to make! 🤷♀️
Simple and delicious! Didn’t have all the ingredients but made it work.
Beans beans they’re good for your heart! But these beans were too sweet for me.
Yuck! I made this and the beans came out burnt! No idea what I did wrong… Didn’t preheat maybe?
BBQ sauce and beans? I mean, is this really a recipe? LOL
These are the best beans ever! Had them at a cookout and everyone loved them!
BBQ sauce? Brown sugar? Sounds like a diabetes waiting to happen but whatever, it was good.
LOL, yeah, but they taste sooo good! Life’s too short to skip on flavors. 😋
I get your point about sugar, but everything in moderation! These beans are super tasty. 🙌
Yum!!! I added extra bacon cause why not? So good!!!
Sounds delicious, but isn’t it too sweet? I prefer more spice.
I don’t think it’s too sweet! The smokies and bacon add a nice savory touch. But I guess everyone has their taste! Maybe add some cayenne pepper for a kick?