BBQ Baked Beans

Easy BBQ Baked Beans are a classic side dish for summer cookouts and backyard parties, and even make a great family dinner when camping! This perfect side dish combines tender beans with a sweet and savory sauce, slow-cooked to perfection in the oven to achieve a deliciously thick and caramelized finish. Make these beans for family gatherings, Fourth of July barbecues, or potlucks this summer!

When the weather warms up, I get so excited because it means I can break out some of my favorite recipes! There are tons of gatherings for things like graduation, weddings, summer BBQs, and more! These oven-baked beans are one of my favorites to bring along when I need to feed a crowd. They are way better than the canned stuff from the grocery store. The combination of savory and sweet flavors makes this the best baked beans recipe! Don’t worry – they are SO easy to make and will be requested again and again!

Now all you need to prepare for your summer barbecue is some  Pulled Pork, or burgers and hot dogs,  Creamy Coleslaw or Potato Salad, and some Macaroni and Cheese. And to finish it all off, don’t forget some ice-cold tea and watermelon for dessert!

Ingredients for Easy Baked Beans

Here’s what you need to make delicious baked beans:

• Medium onion, minced
• Great Northern beans, rinsed and drained
• Molasses
• BBQ Sauce
• Ketchup
• Worcestershire sauce
• Dry mustard powder
• Garlic powder
• Black pepper
• Kosher salt

Make sure to review the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the proper amount of each ingredient.

How to make Homemade BBQ Baked Beans

While these beans do take a bit of time in the oven to create that rich, thick sauce, the hands-on time is minimal. Here’s how to make it:

1. First, I preheat my oven to 350°F. While it heats, I prepare an 8 X 8-inch casserole dish by spraying it with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Next, I combine the drained beans, minced onion, barbecue sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, molasses, Worcestershire sauce, mustard powder, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt in a large bowl. I give it a good stir to mix well.
3. I transfer everything to the prepared baking dish and cover it with an oven-safe lid or aluminum foil. I bake the beans for 50 minutes, then uncover them and bake for an additional 10 minutes.
4. Finally, I let the beans sit for an additional 5 minutes before serving to give the sauce time to thicken and cool.

Recipe Additions and Substitutions

Here are some ideas for customizing this simple recipe:

• Salt pork – fry this up in a skillet before adding it to your baking dish.
• Bacon – take a few slices of smoky bacon, fry them, then crumble them into your baking dish with the other ingredients.
• Sliced sausage- consider this a more mature version of franks ‘n’ beans!
• Green bell pepper- throw these in with your onions for a sweet, spicy crunch.
• Spicy brown mustard (in place of dry mustard)- add a little heat with spicy mustard instead of traditional yellow ground mustard.
• A teaspoon of apple cider vinegar- this adds just a bit of tanginess to your dish.
• A tablespoon of maple syrup- if you like your beans sweet, add this, or swap the syrup for the brown sugar in the recipe.

FAQs

How should I serve Baked Beans?

• Eat them just as they are as a side dish to any main.
• Spread them over tortilla chips and add your favorite nacho toppings.
• Serve them on top of hot dogs or baked potatoes.
• Add a side of sweet cornbread!
• Here in New England, we like to pour some white vinegar and ketchup over the top of them, too!

Can I use different beans in this recipe?

Yes, you can use a different variety of bean if you like. Great Northern Beans are simple white beans. I have also used navy beans, cannellini beans (white kidney beans), or even butter beans. The key difference is the texture, but the flavor is very similar, and unless you have a really particular palate, you probably won’t notice the difference!

How do I store Baked Beans?

I store leftover beans in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3-5 days. I always make sure to include some of the liquid sauce to keep them from drying out.

Can I freeze Baked Beans?

Yes, you can freeze this side dish! I make sure the beans cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container or freezer bag. Then I remove as much air as possible and store it for up to 3 months for the best flavor.

To thaw, I place the beans in the refrigerator overnight. I reheat them the next day in a large pot on the stove top over medium heat until warmed through.

Can I make these in a slow cooker?

Yes! Cook the diced onion with a splash of oil in a skillet over medium heat until translucent, then transfer it to the crock pot. Add the rest of the ingredients, then cover and cook on low heat for about 6 hours. 

After cooking, add additional salt and pepper to taste. Serve and enjoy!

Can you make Baked Beans in an Instant Pot?

Yes, you can use a pressure cooker! Put all the ingredients in the pot, close the lid, and cook for about 8 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally for 10-15 minutes, then quick release before the rest.

More Great Side Dishes

If you’ve been assigned to bring a side, try making one of these crowd-pleasing dishes:

• Mexican Corn Salad– this fun side dish is like street corn in a bowl! The lime dressing adds a tangy punch that I think you’ll love!
• Asian Slaw– If you need a change from the classic coleslaw dish, this Asian slaw is just the thing! It’s made with sesame oil, rice vinegar, and Greek yogurt, plus ramen noodles for that crunch factor. So good!
• Crunchy Pea Salad– Who wouldn’t want some peas, crunchy radishes, and cucumbers tossed in a sweet and tangy vinaigrette?
•  Fried Green Tomatoes– these are a Southern classic! If you’ve never had them, you have to try them! Toss green tomatoes in a cornmeal batter, then fry them up. Delicious!

 How did this BBQ Baked Beans Recipe turn out for you? Let me know in the comments or leave a recipe review!

This post was originally published on 8/20/15. It has been updated in format and with pictures on 5/21/26.