It isn't a cookout in the South without a big ol' pan of smoky baked beans sitting beside burgers or piles of sticky barbecue. Made with a sweet and savory sauce, smoky sausage, hearty ground beef, and tender beans, these Southern baked beans are simple to make and full of flavor.
These beans show up at family cookouts, church picnics, and family reunions all summer long. For more Southern cookout sides, try our creamy Southern coleslaw and Cajun potato salad recipes next!
Table of Contents
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Loaded with smoky, sweet barbecue flavor.
- Easy to make with simple pantry ingredients.
- Perfect for cookouts, potlucks, and holidays.
- Hearty enough to serve as a main dish.
- Even better the next day!
Ingredients
- Spicy smoked sausage and ground beef. Creates a savory, smoky base.
- Onion, bell pepper, and garlic. For classic cookout style flavor.
- Canned baked beans. Keeps things easy!
- Ketchup, brown sugar, and molasses. For that rich, sweet barbecue taste.
- Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, and apple cider vinegar. Balances everything with a tangy flavor.
- Liquid smoke and smoked paprika. For a deep smoky flavor without a smoker.
- Cayenne for a little kick.
- Salt and cracked black pepper to tie it all together.
How to Make Southern BBQ Baked Beans
Step 1. Preheat your oven to 375°F. In a large ovenproof skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the chopped smoked sausage until browned, then transfer to a plate.
Step 2. Cook the ground beef until almost cooked through. Add the chopped onion and bell pepper, and cook until softened. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
Step 1. Add the baked beans, cooked smoked sausage, and remaining ingredients. Stir everything together and season with salt and cracked black pepper.
Step 2. Transfer the pan to the oven and bake uncovered for 45 to 55 minutes or until hot, bubbly, and slightly thickened around the edges.
Ashley's Tips for the Best Baked Beans
- Let the beans rest for about 10 to 15 minutes before serving so the sauce thickens slightly.
- Want more heat? And diced jalapeños or extra cayenne pepper.
- For extra smoky flavor, cook everything in a cast-iron skillet and smoke the beans on the grill instead of baking indoors.
- If you don't have an oven-proof skillet, transfer the beans to a 9 x 13 baking dish and bake as instructed.
What to Serve with BBQ Baked Beans
These sweet, savory, smoky baked beans pair perfectly with:
- Pulled pork sandwiches
- Smoked ribs
- Grilled burgers and hot dogs
- Fried catfish
- Hush puppies
- Cornbread
Storage Tips
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- To reheat, warm in the microwave or heat on the stove top over low heat until hot.
- Southern baked beans also freeze well for up to 2 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely. In fact, the flavor gets even better after sitting overnight in the fridge.
Yes. Either works great. Ground chicken is also a delicious option.
They have a mild kick from the sausage and cayenne, but you can easily adjust the heat level to your preference.
Table Talk + Thought of the Day
Summer has a way of slowing life down just enough for us to gather close again. The long, sunny days, backyard cookouts, and paper plates piled high with burgers and hot dogs may seem simple, but these are often the moments our families remember most. Try not to get so caught up in cleaning the kitchen or rushing to the next thing that you miss the laughter, conversations, and the sweetness of simply being together.
I think the Lord gently causes into that same kind of stillness with Him. In the middle of all the noise and busyness, He is always speaking in a quiet, steady way that only our hearts can hear when we slow down and listen. Those small moments spent with Him are where closeness grows, and peace settles in.
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:34
More Southern Cookout Recipes You Will Love!
📖 Recipe
Southern Baked Beans
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 Spicy smoked sausage links - chopped
- 1 pound ground beef - or ground tukey
- ½ medium yellow onion - chopped
- ½ medium green bell pepper - seeded and chopped
- ½ medium red 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 yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar - or red wine vinegar
- 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 large oven-proof or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, and brown the smoked sausage. Transfer to a plate.
- Add the ground beef and cook until almost cooked through. Add the onion and bell pepper, and cook until the onion is translucent. Add the garlic and cook for an additional minute until the garlic is fragrant.
- Add the baked beans, ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, dijon mustard, liquid smoke, and spices to the skillet. Add the smoked sausage back to the pan. 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 45 to 55 minutes until hot, bubbly, and slightly thickened around the edges. Allow the beans to cool slightly and enjoy!
Notes
- If you do not have an oven-proof skillet, transfer the beans to a 9 x 13 baking dish and bake as instructed.
- Leftover baked beans can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat baked beans in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat until hot.
- Baked beans also freeze well for up to two months.
Chanda Muse
Is it ok if you don’t have a cast iron skillet?
Ashley Boyd
Absolutely! A regular oven-proof pan works fine.