When it comes to creating the perfect side dish for your 4th of July celebration, backyard barbecue, or patriotic family gathering, nothing beats a steaming hot dish of baked beans with ground beef. This robust combination transforms ordinary beans into a protein-packed masterpiece that’s guaranteed to steal the show at any dinner table.
The magic happens when tender ground beef mingles with sweet, smoky beans in a rich sauce that’s been slow-baked to perfection. Every spoonful delivers that perfect balance of savory meat and sweet beans that will have your Independence Day guests coming back for seconds .
Looking for more crowd-pleasing sides? Don’t miss our famous loaded potato casserole or our signature coleslaw recipe that pairs beautifully with these hearty beans!
Table of Contents
- Essential Ingredients Guide
- Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
- Slow Cooker Alternative Method
- Storage and Reheating Tips
- Perfect BBQ Side Dish Pairings
- Complete Recipe Card
Essential Ingredients Guide
Creating exceptional baked beans with ground beef starts with selecting quality ingredients. Most of these pantry staples are probably already in your kitchen, making this recipe both convenient and budget-friendly.
Key Ingredient Notes:
Canned Baked Beans – Stick with classic original-flavored beans for the best results. While flavored varieties exist, they can overwhelm the dish with competing tastes. Traditional pork and beans work wonderfully as a substitute if preferred.
Dark Brown Sugar – The molasses content in dark brown sugar adds depth and richness. Light brown sugar works in a pinch, but you’ll miss some of that deep, caramelized flavor.
Mustard Selection – Honey mustard creates the perfect sweet-tangy balance, though regular yellow mustard or Dijon can be substituted based on your taste preferences.
Liquid Smoke – This ingredient is the secret weapon that gives your baked beans with ground beef that authentic barbecue smokehouse flavor. It’s optional but highly recommended for maximum impact.
Bacon Enhancement – Crispy, crumbled bacon adds textural contrast and smoky richness. Ham works equally well if you prefer a different pork flavor profile.
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
This straightforward recipe comes together quickly with minimal prep work required.
Initial Setup: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F. This temperature ensures even cooking without burning the edges.
Building the Flavor Base: Using a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat. Add diced sweet onion and cook until it becomes translucent and fragrant. Next, incorporate minced garlic and sauté just until aromatic – about 30 seconds.
Browning the Meat: Add your ground beef to the aromatic base, breaking it apart as it cooks. Brown thoroughly, ensuring no pink remains. The beef should be nicely caramelized for maximum flavor development. Drain excess grease while keeping the meat in the pan.
Combining Everything: Now comes the magic moment – add your baked beans, brown sugar, honey mustard, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke, BBQ sauce, and crumbled bacon to the beef mixture. Stir everything together until well combined.
The Final Bake: Transfer to the oven and bake uncovered for 45 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the edges are bubbling and the center is heated through. Check around the 30-minute mark, as wider skillets may cook faster.
Pro Tip: Use a deep 12-inch oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven for best results. The depth prevents spillover while ensuring even heat distribution.
Slow Cooker Alternative Method
Want to free up oven space? Your baked beans with ground beef can be perfectly prepared in a slow cooker instead.
After browning your beef and sautéing the aromatics on the stovetop, transfer everything to your slow cooker. Add all remaining ingredients and cook on low for 2 hours. This method works wonderfully for potlucks where you need to transport the dish while keeping it warm.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Proper Storage: Cool completely before transferring to airtight containers. Refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months for longer storage.
Reheating Methods: For best results, thaw frozen beans overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring frequently. Microwave reheating works for smaller portions – use 30-second intervals with stirring between each.
Make-Ahead Strategy: This dish actually improves in flavor when made ahead! Prepare everything up to the baking step, then freeze. When ready to serve, thaw completely and bake as directed. You can also fully cook the dish, cool, and freeze the finished product.
Perfect BBQ Side Dish Pairings
Baked beans with ground beef pair beautifully with classic 4th of July and barbecue favorites. Consider serving alongside:
- 4th of July Brownie Bars
- BBQ Chicken Skewers
- 4th of July Meringue Cookies
- No-bake berry trifle
- Watermelon salad with feta cucumber and mint
The rich, hearty nature of these beans makes them substantial enough to serve as a main dish for lighter appetites, especially when paired with cornbread at your 4th of July picnic or summer cookout.
Why This Recipe Works
The combination of sweet and savory elements creates incredible depth of flavor. The ground beef adds protein and heartiness while the bacon contributes smoky richness. Meanwhile, the brown sugar and BBQ sauce provide that essential sweet balance that makes baked beans with ground beef so irresistible.
The slow baking process allows all flavors to meld together beautifully, creating a dish that tastes like it’s been simmering all day. The result is a crowd-pleasing side dish that’s perfect for patriotic celebrations, sophisticated enough for special occasions yet simple enough for weeknight dinners.
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Baked Beans with Ground Beef
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend recommended)
- 45 ounces canned original baked beans
- 1 large sweet onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ½ cup dark brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons honey mustard
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon liquid smoke
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled
Instructions
- Prepare: Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Sauté Base: Melt butter in large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until translucent. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant.
- Brown Meat: Add ground beef to skillet, mixing with onion mixture. Cook until well-browned, breaking apart as needed. Drain grease but keep beef in pan.
- Combine: Stir in baked beans, brown sugar, honey mustard, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke, BBQ sauce, and bacon until well mixed.
- Bake: Bake uncovered for 45 minutes until edges bubble and beans are heated through. Check at 30 minutes for doneness.
Notes
Slow Cooker Option: Transfer browned beef mixture and all remaining ingredients to slow cooker. Cook on low for 2 hours.
Nutrition (per serving): Approximately 920 calories, 89g carbohydrates, 36g protein, 49g fat
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Servings: 6-8 people
- Difficulty: Easy