BBQ Bacon Baked Beans

BBQ Bacon Baked Beans are barbecue baked beans that are hearty enough to be the main dish. Make these tasty baked beans and you may never want canned baked beans again!

Kick up your summer dinners a notch with this BBQ Bacon Baked Beans recipe. These flavorful beans are baked in a sweet and tangy sauce, and they're packed with juicy brats and plenty of beans, making them a hearty and satisfying side dish or main dish.

Give these tasty baked beans a try!

Ingredient notes and substitutions

• Barbecue sauce: Choose a barbecue sauce that you like the flavor of. I recommend choosing a neutral bbq sauce so that the flavor of the other ingredients can come through.
• Brown sugar: Feel free to add more brown sugar to taste.
• Cayenne pepper: The cayenne just adds a little flavor. If you'd like some heat, feel free to add more.
• Ro-Tel: Or another brand of diced tomatoes with green chiles.

How to make bbq bacon baked beans

Here you'll find step-by-step photos showing how to make this recipe. The full recipe, including ingredients, is given below.

Step 1: Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat oven to 350F.

Step 2: Add the barbecue sauce, ketchup, broth, mustard, vinegar, liquid smoke, and cayenne pepper to a large mixing bowl. Whisk until well-combined.

Step 3: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the brats, and brown.

Step 4: Stir in the onion, and cook, stirring regularly, for about 2-3 minutes, or until softened.

Step 5: Add the garlic, and cook for 30 seconds, stirring the entire time.

Step 6: Carefully add the brat mixture to the barbecue sauce mixture.

Step 7: Add the baked beans, pinto beans, cannellini beans, and Ro-Tel. Stir until combined.

Step 8: Carefully transfer the bean mixture into a deep 9x13-inch baking pan and place the pan on a rimmed baking sheet.

Step 9: Arrange bacon pieces in a single layer over top of beans.

Step 10: Bake until beans are hot and bubbling and the bacon is rendered, about 1½ hours.

Step 11: Let the beans cool for 15 minutes before serving.

Tips

• Thicker beans: For thicker beans, omit the chicken broth.
• Crispy bacon: The bacon won't be super crispy by the end of the baking time. If you'd like crispier bacon, lightly cook the bacon until almost crisp before using.
• Make ahead: At end of step 9, wrap the pan in plastic and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Set the beans out while you preheat the oven, and then proceed with recipe from step 10, increasing baking time to 1¾ hours.

Serving suggestions

Since the beans have both brats and bacon, they're hearty enough to be a main dish. I recommend serving fresh fruit salad, green salad, or fresh veggies on the side to lighten the meal.

You could also serve them as a side dish for burgers, hot dogs, or ribs.

Storage

Store any leftover baked beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The beans will keep for up to 4 days when properly stored in the fridge.

More summer dinner recipes!

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