Description
Smoky, sweet bbq’d beans deliver a rich Southern comfort that dances between tangy and hearty. Packed with robust flavors and slow-cooked perfection, you’ll savor each spoonful of this classic side dish that brings warmth to any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Meats:
- 1 pound bacon, diced
Vegetables:
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
Beans and Sauces:
- 1 (28 ounces / 794 grams) can baked beans
- 1 (15 ounces / 425 grams) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 ounces / 425 grams) can butter beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350°F (175°C) for preparing the hearty bean casserole.
- Render bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy and golden, then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
- Utilize the rendered bacon fat to sauté diced onions and bell peppers until they become translucent and tender, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Incorporate all bean varieties – baked beans, kidney beans, and butter beans – into the skillet with the softened vegetables.
- Pour in barbecue sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and freshly ground black pepper, stirring to create a harmonious flavor profile.
- Crumble the reserved crisp bacon and fold into the bean mixture, ensuring even distribution.
- Transfer the entire bean medley to a baking dish, spreading it evenly to promote consistent heating.
- Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 60 minutes, allowing the sauce to caramelize and thicken while developing rich, complex flavors.
Notes
- Always choose thick-cut bacon for maximum flavor and crispy texture in your beans.
- Consider draining excess bacon fat if you prefer a lighter dish, but keep some for rich taste.
- Experiment with different barbecue sauce brands to customize the overall sweetness and tanginess of the beans.
- For a vegetarian version, replace bacon with smoked paprika or liquid smoke to maintain a deep, smoky profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg