This family recipe of Baked Beans with Ground Beef is rich, saucy, and soaking up all the smoky goodness. This dish gives backyard BBQ vibes and cozy weeknight dinner magic. We're talking tender beans, savory beef, a bit of sweetness, and just enough spice to make your tastebuds do a happy dance. Let’s get into it!
This dish is very popular on special occasions like Fourth of July, Memorial Day, and Labor Day. My grandmother always made it for barbeques and pot luck family reunions.
Another side dish I love serving in the summer is my Homemade Macaroni and Cheese.
Key Ingredient Tips
The Beans:
This recipe is loaded with 4 different kinds of beans. You can pick and choose which you like, but I love how each one brings something different to the pot.
- Cannellini = creamy and mellow
- Lima = hearty and buttery
- Kidney = firm with a little bite
- Pork & Beans = soft, saucy, and nostalgic
The Beef:
I prefer to use 80/20 ground beef, which uses 80% beef 20% fat. If you want it less fatty, you can use 90/10.
See recipe card below for quantities and instructions!
Instructions:
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a Dutch oven, fry the bacon, drain the grease and set bacon aside on a paper towel lined plate. Cut into bite sized pieces when cool.
- Step 2: Cook the ground beef and onion over medium high heat until no longer pink and onion is soft and translucent. Drain the excess fat.
- Step 3: Mix the bacon, ground beef and onion, and remaining ingredients and stir well to combine.
- Step 4: Pour the mixture into a greased casserole dish. Cover with foil and bake for 1 hour until hot and bubbly. Let the dish stand for about 30 minutes before serving.
Ground Beef Substitutes
- Ground Turkey or Chicken – Lighter but still meaty. Great for a leaner vibe!
- Ground Pork or Sausage – Boosts flavor and adds richness. Feel free to use a combination.
- Bacon – Chopped and fried up crispy? Heck yes. Adds smoky goodness!
- Plant-Based Crumbles – For the veggie lovers (Beyond, Impossible, or lentil-walnut mix).
- Mushrooms (finely chopped) – Meaty texture, especially when sautéed till golden.
Variations
🌶️ 1. Southwest Style
Smoky, spicy, and packed with Tex-Mex flair.
- Add: cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika
- Mix in: corn, black beans, diced green chilies
- Top with: shredded cheddar, fresh cilantro, maybe a little avocado
🥓 2. Cowboy Beans
Rugged, hearty, and truly meat-lovers' dream.
- Add: chopped bacon or smoked sausage along with the beef
- Mix in: molasses, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and mustard
- Serve with: cornbread or biscuits and a side of yeehaw!!
Top Tips For Baked Beans with Ground Beef
1. Brown the Beef Properly
- Don’t just toss it in the pan and hope for the best. Brown it until it’s deep golden with crispy edges. That’s where the flavor lives.
👉 Pro move: don’t overcrowd the pan—it’ll steam instead of sizzle.
2. Sauté the Onions with Love
Let those onions cook low and slow until they’re soft and a little caramelized. It adds a sweet, savory base that makes everything taste like it simmered all day (even if it didn’t).
3. Use a Mix of Beans for Texture Magic
Try using a combo of baked beans, kidney beans, black beans, or even pinto beans. It adds color, texture, and a little "ooh what's this?" with every bite.
4. Layer That Sweet and Savory Like a Pro
A balance of brown sugar and something tangy (like mustard, vinegar, or ketchup) is key. You want it sweet—but not candy-sweet—unless your dinner guests are toddlers in disguise.
5. Spice It Up… or Not
Want a little heat? Toss in a dash of cayenne or chopped jalapeños. Want it smoky? Use smoked paprika or a chipotle in adobo.
👉 Or keep it mild and comforting. No wrong answers here—just vibes.
6. Low and Slow is the Way to Go
Let those beans simmer or bake low and slow for at least 30–45 minutes. This lets the sauce thicken and the flavors marry. Think of it like letting the ingredients fall in love 💕
7. Make it a Day Ahead
YES. It tastes even better the next day when the flavors have had time to mingle. Make-ahead magic is real, and baked beans are proof.
9. Top with Crispy Bacon (Optional but Incredible)
Crumbled crispy bacon on top before serving? It’s like a little crown for your bean kingdom
What can I serve with it?
Cornbread, grilled meats, slaw, mac and cheese, potato salad, or just a big ol’ spoon. No wrong answers here.
Common Reader Questions
Yes! Brown the meat and onions first, then toss everything in and cook on low for 4–6 hours or high for 2–3 hours. It’s bean-azing.
Pop it in the oven uncovered for a bit longer, or simmer on the stove. You can also mash a few beans to naturally thicken it.
Stored properly, you’ve got about 4–5 days of delicious leftovers. (Good luck making it last that long though
Other Recipes You May Like!
Baked Beans with Ground Beef
Equipment
- dutch oven (or a large pot)
- casserole dish
Ingredients
- ½ lb. chopped bacon
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 15.5 oz can kidney beans drained and rinsed
- 1 15.5 oz can lima beans drained and rinsed
- 1 15.5 oz can pork and beans *does not need to be drained!
- 1 15.5 oz can cannellini beans drained and rinsed
- 1 teaspoon vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1 cup brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉.
- In a Dutch oven, brown the bacon, drain the fat, and set aside on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Cook the ground beef and onion in the same pot, over medium-high heat until no longer pink. Drain the fat.
- To the pot, add the cooked bacon, the four cans of beans, 1 teaspoon vinegar, 1 teaspoon dijon, 1 cup brown sugar and 1 cup ketchup to the pot with the browned beef and onions. Mix well together.
- Pour the mixture into a greased 9x13" casserole dish. Cover and bake for 1 hour until hot and bubbly.
- Let the dish stand about a ½ hour before serving. Enjoy!!