The Best Southern Baked Beans and Ground Beef Recipe

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Sweet, smoky, and straight-up Southern comfort. These baked beans with ground beef come together in one pan on the stovetop for easy, no-fuss cooking.

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Simmered until rich and saucy, this simple recipe is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser at cookouts, family gatherings, or your next potluck.

• Prep time:​ 10 minutes
• Cook time:​ 40 minutes
• Total time: ​50 minutes
• Servings:​ 6 to 10 
• Prep level:​ Beginner +

Ingredient Notes & Variations

• Bacon:​ Adds smoky, savory depth. Cook until just crisp, then use the drippings to sauté the veggies for extra flavor. Turkey bacon is a good option if you prefer a lighter alternative.
• Chopped onion: Yellow or sweet onion is classic, but white onion works as well.
• Red bell pepper:​ Brings a touch of sweetness and color. Swap in green bell pepper for a more traditional, savory bite.
• Hamburger meat: Lean ground beef adds a savory, meaty flavor and makes these beans filling enough to serve as a main dish. An 80/20 blend works best for richness without being greasy. Swap in ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
• Baked beans: Canned beans already seasoned are a key ingredient in the recipe. Use Bush’s original or your favorite.
• Canned beans: I like to use a mixture of beans in this recipe. Navy beans are my favorite. They add heartiness and balance the sweetness of the baked beans. Other popular bean options are butter beans, great northern beans, or cannellini beans.
• Barbecue sauce: ​Provides a smoky, tangy flavor. Use hickory or mesquite for a bold taste, or a sweet BBQ sauce for kid-friendly beans.
• Spicy brown mustard:​ Brings a little zip and cuts through the sweetness. Yellow mustard works in a pinch for a milder flavor.
• Other ingredients: Build a rich, well-balanced flavor with a blend of salt, brown sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and a touch of maple syrup.

Easy Variations

• Make it spicier with diced jalapeño peppers, a splash of hot sauce, or a dash of cayenne pepper.
• Swap ground beef for ground turkey or sausage for a flavor twist.
• Add a smoky kick with a pinch of smoked paprika or chipotle powder.

Step-by-Step Instructions

• Cook the bacon in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat until lightly crisp. Remove and set aside, leaving the drippings in the pan. Add chopped onion and red bell pepper. Cook until slightly soft.

• Add the ground beef to the pan, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess grease if needed. Next, mix in the barbecue sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, maple syrup, and salt.

• Stir in the baked beans, the drained navy beans, and the cooked bacon. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until thick and saucy.

See the recipe card below for ingredient amounts and cooking times.

Laura Belle’s Tips

1. ​Use the bacon drippings to sauté the onion and bell pepper for extra richness.
2. Simmer on low to thicken the sauce, and the flavors meld. Avoid boiling so the beans stay intact.
3. Taste and adjust at the end. You may want a touch more sweetness, tang, or salt.
4. Like most baked beans recipes, the flavor gets even better after resting for 10-15 minutes before serving.

​Perfect Pairings for Hearty Baked Beans

• Grilled meats – Ribs, steakburgers, hot dogs, pulled pork, or chicken sandwiches.
• Potato salad, cole slaw, or macaroni salad​ – Classic Southern and BBQ favorite sides.
• Grilled or scalloped corn​ – simple and always a hit.
• Green salad or sautéed greens​ – a fresh contrast to the hearty baked beans.
• Buttermilk biscuits or cornbread​ – from Back To My Southern Roots.

Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

​Refrigerator – Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Reheating – Reheat gently on the stove top over low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of water if the beans have thickened too much.

Microwave – Heat in short intervals, stirring between each, until warmed through.

​Freezing – Let the beans cool completely, then freeze in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Hosting Tip – Keep warm in a slow cooker on the lowest setting for parties, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Make for a big crowd –  Simply double the ingredients. Use a skillet to brown the bacon, onion, bell pepper, and ground beef, then transfer to a 6 to 7-quart slow cooker. Add the remaining ingredients, and cook on LOW for 3-4 hours or HIGH for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring once or twice.

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Yield: 6 to 10 servings

The Best Southern Baked Beans and Ground Beef Recipe

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Sweet, smoky, and straight-up Southern comfort. These baked beans with ground beef come together in one pan on the stovetop for easy, no-fuss cooking. 

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes

Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 slices of bacon – cut into pieces
• 1 yellow onion – chopped (about 1 cup)
• 1 medium red bell pepper – chopped (green peppers can be used)
• 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend)
• 1/4 cup BBQ sauce
• 1/3 cup ketchup
• 1/3 cup light brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard (yellow or Dijon mustard can be used)
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 can of baked beans (28 ounces) Bush’s original
• 1 can of navy beans (16 ounces) rinsed and drained

Instructions

1. In a large, deep skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon pieces until lightly crisp, 7 to 10 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the drippings in the pan.
2. Stir in the chopped onion and red bell pepper. Cook for 3-4 minutes, or until soft and fragrant. 
3. Add the ground beef to the same pan and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks, about 8-10 minutes. Drain excess liquid if needed.
4. Stir in the barbecue sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, maple syrup, and salt.
5. ​Add in the baked beans and navy beans, stirring well to combine.
6. Return the cooked bacon to the pan and stir well.
7. Reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened and is well blended. 
8. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
9. Serve warm and enjoy.

Notes

Helpful Equipment

Large skillet or Dutch Oven

Wooden Spoon

Tips

• Use the bacon drippings to sauté the onion and bell pepper.
• Simmer on low to thicken the sauce, and the flavors meld.
• Taste and adjust at the end.
• For the best flavor, rest for 10-15 minutes before serving.
• Hosting Tip – Keep warm in a slow cooker on the lowest setting for parties.
• For a large crowd – Simply double the ingredients and make in a slow cooker after browning the bacon, sautéing the veggies and meat. Cook on LOW for 3-4 hours or HIGH for 1.5 to 2 hours.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 1131Total Fat: 19gSaturated Fat: 6gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 74mgSodium: 777mgCarbohydrates: 174gFiber: 57gSugar: 28gProtein: 68g

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