Easy Baked Beans with Ground Beef | Hearty Southern BBQ Side

These baked beans with ground beef are not only crazy delicious, but they're also super easy to make. This recipe combines tender baked beans with ground beef, crispy bacon, and a sweet-and-savory sauce to make a flavorful dish the whole family is guaranteed to love! 

Why You'll Love This Baked Beans Recipe With Ground Beef

These southern baked beans with ground beef and bacon pack a whole lot of flavor in a simple side dish. I mean, any time you combine baked beans with meat, you're pretty much guaranteed to end up with a tasty dish. When you add the delicious homemade sauce in this recipe, you get something special. It's one of my fav ground beef recipes, along with my Mongolian ground beef.

The blend of flavors in this recipe is sweet, smoky, and meaty, and it pairs well with a variety of other dishes.  When these Southern baked beans with ground beef are cooking in the oven, you can whip up something to go with them, like this fried corn, sweet potato cornbread, or these red skin mashed potatoes. 

Ingredients

The ingredient list for this baked beans and ground beef recipe is pretty simple. Most of them are kitchen/pantry staples, so you may already have a few at home.

Here's what you'll need to make this easy baked beans recipe:

• 4 strips of bacon, cooked, cut into large pieces
• 0.75lb. ground beef
• ¾ cup chopped onion
• ¾ cup chopped bell pepper
• 24oz. canned beans (mine was with chunks of pork and beans)
• ⅓ cup BBQ sauce
• ¼ cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoon brown sugar
• 3 teaspoon mustard
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce

If you end up with any extra BBQ sauce or bacon, then I definitely suggest you try these armadillo eggs next. They're equally loaded with flavor and use most of the same ingredients!

Oh, and you can use the ingredients to make this American chop suey and the ground beef to make this ground beef and potatoes. as well. So definitely give those a try sometime!

How To Make Baked Beans with Ground Beef

Step 1. Prep

 Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly grease a baking dish with some cooking oil.

Step 2. Cook the beef

 Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and grease it with some nonstick cooking spray or oil. Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it apart, until it's almost browned on all sides.

Step 3. Cook the veggies

Add the onions and bell peppers to the skillet and cook until the veggies are tender and the beef is cooked through.

Step 4. Make the sauce

 Stir in the BBQ sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, and soy sauce. Add the canned beans and give everything a good mix until the ingreidents are fully combined.

Step 5. Bake and serve

Transfer the bean mixture to a baking dish. Top the beans with bacon and cover with aluminum foil. Bake the beans, covered, for 50 minutes. Cool the beans for a few minutes and serve warm. Enjoy!

Expert Tips

• Use a Mix of Beans for Texture and Flavor: While classic recipes stick with pork and beans or baked beans, combining different varieties—like kidney, pinto, or black beans—adds more dimension and helps the dish hold up better when reheated.
• Brown the Beef (and Bacon) Properly: Don’t rush the browning process. Let the beef sear in the pan without stirring too much so it develops a rich, caramelized crust that adds deep flavor. The same goes for bacon—cook it low and slow until it’s truly crisp before removing or mixing in.
• Rinse Canned Beans (If Not in Sauce): If you’re using canned beans that aren’t baked-style or pre-sauced, give them a quick rinse to reduce excess salt and starchiness. This also helps the final sauce thicken more evenly.
• Simmer Low and Slow for Richer Sauce: Let the beans simmer uncovered for 15–20 minutes after combining. This allows the sauce to reduce and thicken, concentrating the sweet, smoky, and savory flavors. If you're baking instead of simmering, remove foil halfway through for a thicker finish.
• Add a Dash of Heat for Balance: A small amount of chili powder, cayenne, or even diced jalapeño can help balance the sweetness of BBQ sauce or brown sugar. It won't make the dish spicy, just more complex.
• Make It Ahead — It Tastes Better the Next Day: Like chili and lasagna, these beans only get better after a night in the fridge. The flavors meld and deepen, making leftovers arguably more delicious than the first serving.
• Don’t Skip the Mustard or Vinegar: A small splash of mustard or apple cider vinegar cuts through the richness and brightens the entire dish. It’s a subtle touch that makes a big difference.

How To Store Baked Beans With Ground Beef

In the fridge: Transfer any leftovers to an airtight container and store the cooked baked beans in the fridge for about 3-5 days.

In the freezer: If you want to freeze the beans, store them in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.

Reheating: Put the leftovers back into a casserole dish and heat them up at 350°F for about 10-12 minutes or until they're fully reheated.

FAQS About This Baked Beans Recipe With Ground Beef

How do I make baked beans thicker?

The easiest way to make beans thicker is to mash up some of the beans after they cook. Letting the beans sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes after they cook will also help them thicken up.

Can I use ground turkey?

Yes, if you prefer a leaner version of this recipe or if you're a vegetarian who doesn't eat red meat, you can definitely use ground turkey. It will be just as delicious.

What kind of beans can I use for this recipe?

You can use any type of canned beans, such as kidney beans, pinto beans, or black beans.

More Bean Recipes

If you enjoyed these ground beef baked beans, we have a ton of other recipes with beans that you can try next!

Check out all of these easy recipes:

• Butter beans
• Charro beans
  
• Chipotle black beans
• Grandma brown beans
• Ham and beans
• Great Northern beans
• Apple pie baked beans

Oh, and make sure to check us out on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube for even more delicious recipes! We post new recipes on them every day.