Simple side dishes are the best things to serve for BBQs and quick dinners. If you’re looking for more sides, try my Watermelon Feta Salad, with a combination of sweet and tangy flavors. Or try Rosemary Air Fryer Carrots for a side that cooks super fast!

Above view of a serving bowl of bbq baked beans, a striped towel, and a small dish of brown sugar.

A BBQs Fave Baked Beans

These easy semi-homemade baked beans are packed with smoky, sweet, and tangy flavor in every bite. Crispy bacon, tender beans, sticky molasses, and barbecue sauce come together in a rich, savory-sweet sauce that tastes like it simmered all day.

Made in just one Dutch oven, these beans are enough for a weeknight dinner, but special enough to show off for a crowd. As the sauce simmers, the flavors meld together while the bacon adds a deliciously smoky finish.

Serve these baked beans with some grilled burgers, hot dogs, or your favorite BBQ chicken or pulled pork. They’re perfect for summer barbeques and potlucks. And the warm, comforting flavors also make them a top choice for fall gatherings, too.

Barbecue Baked Beans Ingredients

Bacon: Use your favorite kind, but pork bacon gives the biggest amount of flavor.
Onion: A yellow onion is sweet and won’t overpower the rest of the ingredients.
Beans: To save time, use canned Navy or Great Northern Beans, drained and rinsed.
Condiments: Make a homemade sauce for the beans with ketchup, jarred BBQ sauce, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and molasses.
Spices: Season the beans with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.

All of the ingredients needed to make bbq baked beans.

How to Make Barbecue Baked Beans

Here are the basic instructions to make homemade barbeque baked beans. Check out the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post with full ingredients and instructions to make it.

Step one is bacon cooking in a pan. — **STEP 1:** In a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the bacon until crisp. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, drain off most of the bacon drippings, leaving some in the pan.

Step two is chopped onion added to the bacon grease in the pan. — **STEP 2:** Add the diced onion to the bacon drippings and cook until softened.

Step three is adding in all of the seasonings and condiments to the sauteed onions. — **STEP 3:** Stir in the condiments, seasonings, and water. Stir until the brown sugar has dissolved and the sauce is smooth.

Step four is adding the beans and bacon in. — **STEP 4:** Gently fold in the drained beans and the cooked crumbled bacon until everything is evenly coated.

Cooking Tips and Tricks

Cook the bacon until crispy for the best smoky flavor. Then, leave about a tablespoon of bacon drippings in the pan to saute the onions.
Simmer the beans uncovered and stir them every few minutes to prevent sticking.
Let the beans rest for 10-15 minutes before you serve them so that the sauce can set and thicken.

Up close and above view of a serving bowl of bbq baked beans, small dish of brown sugar, and a spoon.

Recipe Variations

Easily double the recipe to feed a crowd!
Change the beans. Use pinto, black beans, or a combination of your favorite canned beans.
Make them spicy. Add diced jalapeno, chipotle peppers, or a pinch of cayenne for a spicy kick.
Vegetarian – make the beans vegetarian by leaving the bacon out. Saute the onions in olive oil instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different type of beans? Yes, you sure can! Navy and Great Northern beans have a mild flavor. So, if you use a different type, I suggest choosing one like pinto or white kidney that has a similar flavor profile.

How can I make them thicker? If you want to thicken the sauce, simmer the beans uncovered for a few extra minutes. Remember to stir them constantly.

How to Store & Reheat

How to store it? Store them in an airtight food storage container in the refrigerator for up to four days.

How to reheat it? Reheat them gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. Add a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much.

How to freeze it? Put them into freezer-safe containers or bags and leave a little room for expansion. Store them in the freezer for up to 3 months.