Old-Fashioned Baked Beans with Ground Beef
No summer barbecue is complete without a big dish of homemade Baked Beans. Sweet, savory, hearty, and full of rich flavor, this easy baked beans recipe is the ultimate side dish for cookouts, potlucks, holidays, and backyard gatherings.
Made with ground beef, onion, barbecue sauce, ketchup, and baked beans, then baked until hot and bubbly, this recipe is comforting, simple, and always one of the first dishes to disappear. Every time I make these baked beans, people go back for seconds!
This recipe has been in my family for years and is one I learned from my mom. Like many great family recipes, she always made it by eye and "just knew" the right amounts. After lots of testing, I finally measured everything out so anyone can recreate this classic family favorite at home.
Why You'll Love These Homemade Baked Beans
Perfect for summer cookouts and BBQs
Sweet and savory flavor
Easy side dish with simple ingredients
Family recipe passed down for years
Great for feeding a crowd
Hearty thanks to the ground beef
Easy to make ahead
Always a crowd favorite
Easy Homemade Baked Beans
These Homemade Baked Beans are sweet, savory, and hearty with ground beef, barbecue sauce, ketchup, and baked beans baked until hot and bubbly. They're the perfect side dish for summer cookouts, BBQs, holidays, and family gatherings.
Recipe Details
Category: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 8–10
Ingredients
1/2 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup diced onion
1/2 pound ground beef
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 cans original baked beans, 12 ounces each
1/2 cup sweet barbecue sauce
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup light corn syrup
How to Make Homemade Baked Beans
1. Cook the Ground Beef and Onion
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and ground beef.
Cook until the beef is browned and fully cooked through and the onions are softened. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
Season with the salt and black pepper.
2. Add the Baked Beans and Sauce
Add the baked beans to the skillet. If your canned baked beans contain bacon pieces, remove the bacon pieces at this point.
Stir everything together, then add the barbecue sauce, ketchup, and light corn syrup.
Mix until everything is well combined and evenly coated.
3. Bake the Beans
Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and transfer the baked bean mixture into the dish.
Bake uncovered for 45 minutes, or until the beans are hot and bubbly and the edges are slightly caramelized.
Let the baked beans cool for a few minutes, then serve warm.
Why This Recipe Works
The combination of barbecue sauce, ketchup, and light corn syrup creates the perfect balance of sweet, smoky, and savory flavors. The ground beef makes these baked beans hearty enough to stand out at any cookout table, while the onions add another layer of flavor.
Baking everything together allows the sauce to thicken slightly while the flavors blend together, giving you that classic baked-bean flavor that makes this dish so comforting.
Tips for the Best Baked Beans
Use a sweet barbecue sauce. A sweeter BBQ sauce works especially well with the ketchup and corn syrup.
Drain the beef well. Removing excess grease keeps the beans from becoming greasy.
Bake uncovered. This allows some of the extra moisture to evaporate and helps the sauce thicken.
Don't skip the baking step. While the beans are already cooked, baking gives the flavors time to come together and creates those slightly caramelized edges.
Make them ahead. These baked beans are perfect for preparing ahead of a cookout or holiday meal.
What to Serve with Baked Beans
These homemade baked beans pair perfectly with classic BBQ favorites:
Hamburgers
Hot dogs
Pulled pork sandwiches
Barbecue chicken
Smoked brisket
Potato salad
Coleslaw
Cornbread
Make-Ahead Instructions
You can prepare the baked bean mixture ahead of time and refrigerate it before baking.
When you're ready to serve, let the dish sit at room temperature for a few minutes while the oven preheats, then bake as directed until hot and bubbly.
For the best texture, I recommend baking the beans the same day you plan to serve them.
Storage Instructions
Store leftover baked beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat individual portions in the microwave, or reheat larger portions in the oven until warmed through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make baked beans ahead of time?
Yes! These baked beans are perfect for making ahead for cookouts, potlucks, parties, and holidays. Prepare the mixture ahead of time, refrigerate, and bake when you're ready to serve.
What kind of barbecue sauce should I use?
A sweet barbecue sauce works best for this recipe and complements the ketchup and light corn syrup. You can use your favorite bottled BBQ sauce.
Can I double this recipe?
Absolutely! This recipe doubles easily when you're feeding a larger crowd. Use a larger baking dish or divide the mixture between two 9x13-inch dishes.
Can I use a different type of ground meat?
Yes. Ground pork or ground turkey can be used in place of the ground beef, although the flavor will be slightly different.
Final Thoughts
This Old-Fashioned Baked Beans Recipe is sweet, savory, hearty, and packed with classic cookout flavor. With ground beef, barbecue sauce, and baked beans baked together until perfectly bubbly, it's the kind of side dish that always seems to disappear first.
Since this is a family recipe I learned from my mom, it's extra special to me. Whether you're serving it at a backyard barbecue, summer holiday, potluck, or family dinner, these baked beans are an easy classic that everyone will want seconds of.