This Southern BBQ Baked Beans recipe has been in our family for many years. It’s the perfect side for summer grilling.

I have been duly elected to make these Barbeque Baked Beans with bacon for as many years as I can remember. The recipe originally came from a family friend who used to bring it to our summer soiree’s back in the day. I think she found it in a magazine back in the late 1970’s.

What kind of beans are in BBQ Baked Beans?

I use three different kinds of beans in this baked bean recipe. Kidney beans which are slightly larger and it is fine to use either light or dark, whichever you prefer. We add Pork-n-beans which are the smallest of the three beans we use. Canned Baked beans are also included and these are flavored with sauce. I prefer Bush’s Baked Beans which can be found on Amazon. You will find my preferences linked to Amazon (affiliate)below under the recipe.

How Do You Make Barbeque Baked Beans?

Here’s how you mix and stir the ingredients for a piping hot dish of bbq beans. It is sort of a dump recipe which tells you this is going to be easy.

Use a nice big bowl and dump all of the beans in. Add in the BBQ sauce of your choosing. We like Sweet Baby Ray’s BBq sauce in our baked beans. Then add in the ground beef and stir.

The bacon goes in last after you pour the bean mixture into your baking dish. Use your stirring spoon to poke the bacon pieces down into the bean mixture. Having the bacon placed into the beans will give more flavor to this delicious combination of beans and barbeque sauce.

What kind of baking dish do you need for BBQ Beans?

This is a good question and there are several choices. If you have a crockery bean pot, it’s perfect and it’s pretty sitting on a buffet table too.

A rectangular glass baking dish will work but you may need to reduce the oven time to prevent the beans from drying out in a shallow dish. If you need to get a pan of baked bean done quicker, use this dish.

A deep round glass baking dish will work quite well. This is what I use most often when making this recipe for my family at home.

Looking to double the recipe and feed a crowd? Grab a disposable aluminum pan like these. I have done this many times.

When using my Bean Pot to make this recipe for BBQ Baked Beans, I use a little more bacon and leave a few piece on top. The top gets covered with foil which I remove the last few minutes of cooking to allow the bacon on top to crisp just a bit.

Because I have had this bean pot since 1978, I am very careful with the lid and never use it in the oven. I have taken BBQ Beans to a Pot Luck in this pot. Everyone loves dipping beans from a Bean Pot. I have added an Amazon link for the same bean pot under the recipe below.

Can I Add Other Ingredients Like Peppers and Onions to Baked Beans Barbeque?

Yes you can add other ingredients that your family may enjoy. Onions, peppers, garlic, cayenne, shredded pork butt are a few of the ingredients I have seen added. We like the recipe as is, but if your crew wants a hint of heat, toss in some chopped jalapenos! Don’t be afraid to add chopped onions if you like.

What Meals Do BBQ Baked Beans Go with?

Serve these Baked Beans with BBQ sauce and bacon as a side dish or as an entrée. If you have leftovers the next day, it’s a good lunch.

Grilled Burgers, Hot dogs, BBQ Pulled Pork, BBQ Wings, Pork Chops and any meat you are grilling will pair well with these beans. See our list of matching recipes below.

Entrees to Serve with Baked Beans

3 Ingredient BBQ Chicken Wings. This easy recipe has a secret finishing move. Shared over 200K times. It is that good.

Homemade Mushroom Onion Burgers. This is what grilling season is all about.

Baked BBQ Leg Quarters. We use the iron skillet and a secret basting trick to make these restaurant quality.

Easy Crockpot Pork Butt Pulled Pork. This recipe is a classic Pork Butt BBQ favored for many years here in the south and a must have for summer soiree’s!

Grilled Herb Rubbed Pork Chops. Those natural herbs paired with the grill and some nice thick pork chops are what grilling season means!

Pimento Cheese Burgers take a cheeseburger to another level. Skip the bun for a low carb burger.