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    Pink Owl Kitchen » Side Dishes » Southern Baked Beans

    Southern Baked Beans

    Published: Apr 18, 2023 by Ashley Boyd · This post may contain affiliate links

    JUMP TO RECIPE

    Sweet and smoky Southern baked beans flavored with onions, bell pepper, garlic, plenty of spices, and ground turkey are the perfect cookout side dish. These beans are loaded with flavor and will be your go-to side dish all summer long!

    You will not find a Black cookout in the South without baked beans on the menu. Baked beans and barbecue might as well be peanut butter and jelly, and you better not serve baked beans heated straight from the can!

    Southern-style baked beans are extremely flavorful with the perfect balance of sweet, smoky flavors and a touch of heat. Flavored with onion, bell pepper, garlic, plenty of spices, and ground meat, these baked beans are requested at every family cookout and do not last long.

    For more irresistible Southern recipes, check out our Southern Deviled Eggs and Southern Coleslaw recipes next!

    Southern baked beans in a cast iron skillet with a wooden spoon.
    Jump to:
    • What Are Southern Baked Beans?
    • Ingredients You Need To Make This Recipe
    • How To Make This Recipe
    • Variations and Substitutions
    • More FAQs
    • What to Serve With Baked Beans
    • Recommended Tools for This Recipe
    • More Southern Recipes You Will Love!
    • 📖 Recipe

    What Are Southern Baked Beans?

    Southern baked beans are a flavorful side dish made with beans flavored with sweetened tomato sauce and other tasty ingredients.

    Typically made with canned beans such as Bush's Baked Beans, southern baked beans get doctored up with added ingredients like veggies, spices, brown sugar, molasses, and meat. Baked beans are a go-to cookout side dish and are an excellent accompaniment to grilled meats.

    A spoonful of Southern baked beans being held over a cast-iron skillet.

    Ingredients You Need To Make This Recipe

    • Ground turkey. For added flavor and heartiness. Ground beef also works.
    • Yellow onion. To flavor the beans.
    • Green bell pepper. For even more flavor and texture. I used green bell pepper, but yellow or red also works.
    • Fresh garlic. Because it makes everything taste better!
    • Canned baked beans. I recommend Bush's Baked Beans. I used one can of vegetarian and one can of barbecue beans.
    • Ketchup. Combined with the other ingredients to add barbecue sauce flavor.
    • Brown sugar. For rich sweetness.
    • Molasses. For a rich caramel-like sweetness.
    • Worcestershire. For delicious umami flavor. I recommend Lea & Perrins.
    • Apple cider vinegar. Adds acidity to balance out the sweetness.
    • Dijon mustard. For a tangy, peppery bite.
    • Liquid smoke. Liquid smoke adds a tasty smoky flavor.
    • Garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. To season the beans.
    Ingredients for making southern baked beans spread out on a black surface.

    How To Make This Recipe

    1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
    2. Heat a 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground turkey, and cook until almost cooked through. Add the onion and bell pepper and continue to cook until the onion is translucent. Add the garlic and cook for an additional minute until the garlic is fragrant.
    3. Skim any visible fat with a spoon and add the baked beans, ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, dijon mustard, liquid smoke, and spices. Stir the beans with a wooden spoon until all of the ingredients are well combined.
    4. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake the beans uncovered for 50 to 60 minutes, or until browned on top and bubbly. Allow the beans to cool slightly and enjoy!
    Step by step images for making southern baked beans.

    Variations and Substitutions

    A wide variety of ingredients can be added to baked beans to give them more bold flavor. Try adding some of the following ingredients to your next batch:

    • Bacon
    • Smoked sausage
    • Maple syrup
    • Barbecue sauce
    • Spicy mustard
    • Hot sauce
    Southern baked beans in a cast iron skillet with a wooden spoon.

    More FAQs

    Can I make these baked beans without meat?

    Absolutely! Make these baked beans vegetarian by omitting the ground meat or by substituting plant-based meat.

    Can I make Southern baked beans ahead of time?

    Southern baked beans are the perfect make-ahead recipe. Prepare these beans the day before, wrap them in the skillet tightly with foil, and store them in the refrigerator. Reheat the beans covered in the oven until heated through.

    What beans are best for Southern baked beans?

    I recommend canned baked beans such as Bush's Baked Beans. Any flavor works well, but my favorites are the vegetarian and barbecue flavors because they do not contain pork.

    A spoonful of Southern baked beans being held over a cast-iron skillet.

    What to Serve With Baked Beans

    If you want to serve up an authentic down-home cookout, serve southern baked beans with some of the following dishes:

    • Oven Baked BBQ Chicken (try it on the grill!)
    • Soul Food Candied Yams
    • Southern Macaroni Salad
    • Southern Baked Mac and Cheese
    • Southern Hush Puppies
    • Southern Fried Okra
    • Southern Fried Green Tomatoes
    • Hot Water Cornbread
    • Sock It To Me Cake
    • Old Fashioned Banana Pudding
    • Southern Buttermilk Pie
    • Strawberry Sweet Iced Tea

    Recommended Tools for This Recipe

    • 12-inch cast-iron skillet
    • Measuring cups and spoons
    • Wooden spoon
    Southern baked beans in a cast iron skillet with a wooden spoon.

    More Southern Recipes You Will Love!

    • Louisiana Red Beans and Rice
    • Cajun Shrimp and Grits
    • Southern Salmon Croquettes
    • Southern Smothered Chicken
    • Cajun Crawfish Etouffee
    • Jalapeno Cheddar Biscuits
    • Classic Southern Buttermilk Cornbread
    • Southern Green Beans
    • Southern Collard Greens
    • Bananas Foster French Toast
    • Old Fashioned Southern Tea Cakes
    • Hummingbird Cupcakes

    📖 Recipe

    Southern baked beans in a cast iron skillet with a wooden spoon.

    Southern Baked Beans

    Ashley
    Sweet and smoky Southern baked beans flavored with onions, bell pepper, garlic, plenty of spices, and ground turkey are the perfect cookout side dish. These beans are loaded with flavor and will be your go-to side dish all summer long!
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 1 hr 10 mins
    Total Time 1 hr 20 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 242 kcal

    Equipment

    • 12-inch cast-iron skillet
    • Medium saucepan

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 pound ground turkey 85% lean, or ground beef
    • ½ medium yellow onion chopped
    • ½ medium green bell pepper seeded and chopped
    • 3 cloves garlic minced
    • 2, 28-ounce cans baked beans I used Bush's Vegetarian and Barbecue beans
    • ⅓ cup ketchup
    • ¼ cup dark brown sugar or light brown sugar
    • 2 tablespoons molasses such as Grandma's
    • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
    • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
    • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
    • 2 teaspoons liquid smoke
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
    • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
    • Salt and cracked black pepper to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat your oven to 375°F.
    • Heat a 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground turkey, and cook until almost cooked through. Add the onion and bell pepper and continue to cook until the onion is translucent. Add the garlic and cook for an additional minute until the garlic is fragrant.
    • Skim any visible fat with a spoon and add the baked beans, ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, dijon mustard, liquid smoke, and spices to the skillet. Stir the beans with a wooden spoon until all of the ingredients are well combined.
    • Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake the beans uncovered for 50 to 60 minutes, or until browned on top and bubbly. Allow the beans to cool slightly and enjoy!

    Notes

    • Make these baked beans vegetarian by omitting the ground meat or by substituting plant-based meat.
    • Leftover baked beans can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1servingCalories: 242kcalCarbohydrates: 29.9gProtein: 19.1gFat: 6.9gSaturated Fat: 1.1gCholesterol: 58mgSodium: 634mgPotassium: 319mgFiber: 3.1gSugar: 17.6gCalcium: 68mgIron: 3mg
    Keyword baked beans, barbecue baked beans, southern baked beans
    Tried this recipe?Tag @thepinkowlkitchen on Instagram! And don't forget to leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and review!

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    Hi! I'm Ashley.

    Southern girl, wife, mom, and creator of all you see here at Pink Owl Kitchen - that's me! My love for creating comforting homemade meals for my family blossomed into an online resource for home cooks from all over. I am passionate about sharing the Southern flavors I grew up eating and I hope your family enjoys them as much as ours does!

    Learn more about me →

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