This Southern Baked Beans with Ground Beef recipe combines the sweetness of the baked beans and brown sugar, with the savory touch of ground beef and bacon. The result is a delicious side dish that would make any meal special. The recipe is straightforward and doesn’t require a significant amount of time to prepare. Whether you’re hosting a BBQ, a family gathering, or just want to enjoy some comforting food, this southern delight is guaranteed to satisfy your taste buds.
Ingredients
1 lb lean ground beef
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 green bell pepper, finely chopped
2 (16 oz) cans of pork and beans
1/2 cup barbecue sauce
1/2 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
4 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled (optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef, onion, and bell pepper. Cook until the beef is fully browned and the vegetables are soft. Make sure to break up the meat as it cooks. Drain any excess grease.
Stir in the pork and beans, barbecue sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until all ingredients are well combined.
Transfer the mixture to a 2-quart baking dish.
If you’re using bacon, sprinkle the cooked, crumbled bacon over the top of the beans.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the top is bubbly and slightly caramelized.
Let the beans cool for a few minutes before serving.
Preparation Tips
To make the process smoother, start cooking the bacon in the oven with some sprinkled brown sugar. Meanwhile, you can brown your ground beef on the stovetop.
While your meat is cooking, use this time to chop your vegetables. It might help to put your chopped onions and green peppers into a bowl – it’s easier to handle and gives you more workspace.
When combining your beans, green peppers, onions, and brown sugar in a large bowl, be careful with the beans as they tend to splatter. Using a larger bowl can reduce this risk.
Drain your ground beef well before adding it to the bean mixture to prevent your dish from being too greasy.
For the bacon, keep a close eye on it as it bakes, especially if you’ve added brown sugar to it. It can burn quickly if you’re not careful. Once it’s done, chop it up and add it to your mixture.
As you stir in your ground beef and bacon, again be careful to avoid any spills. Mixing everything in a large bowl can help.
When transferring your mixture into a baking dish, smoothing it out in layers might be easier and prevent the beans from spilling out.
As you layer the bacon on top of your dish, remember that the bacon will shrink once you bake it. So, it might be a good idea to add a little extra to ensure full coverage.
Finally, don’t rush the process. Take your time to ensure everything is well combined. The final result will be worth it!
Here are some side dishes that go well with baked beans
Absolutely! Baked beans freeze well, and this can be a great way to save leftovers or prepare meals in advance. To do this, allow the beans to cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag, leaving a little bit of space for expansion.
How Long Can You Freeze Baked Beans?
Properly stored, they can last in the freezer for up to 6 months. When you’re ready to eat the beans, let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat them on the stovetop or in the oven. Note that the texture may change slightly upon reheating, but they will still be delicious!
