Close-up of baked beans with ground beef in a skillet, topped with crispy bacon and sliced green onions, with a wooden spoon scooping a hearty portion.

Baked Beans with Ground Beef are hearty, smoky, and loaded with beef, bacon, and barbecue flavor. Perfect for potlucks or family dinners, this easy recipe works great as a main dish or a filling side!

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Table of Contents

Ingredients
Substitutions and Ingredient Notes
How to Cook Baked Beans with Ground Beef
How to Serve Ground Beef Baked Beans
Why This Is the Best Baked Beans With Ground Beef Recipe
Recipe FAQ
Serving FAQ
Storage FAQ
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Table of Contents

Baked beans with ground beef are the ultimate mashup of sweet, smoky, and meaty goodness all in one dish. This hearty classic brings bold barbecue flavor, savory beef, and crispy bacon together for a side—or main—that steals the show.

It’s easy enough for weeknights but tasty enough for any potluck or backyard cookout. Every bite is warm, saucy comfort that keeps everyone coming back for more.

Overhead view of baked beans with ground beef in a cast iron skillet, topped with crispy bacon and green onions, with a wooden spoon scooping a portion; text overlay reads “Baked Beans with Ground Beef with tons of flavor.”

More Recipes ⭐ Red Beans and Rice | Chili with Beans | Apple Pie Baked Beans

Stick around for step-by-step photos, expert tips, and answers to all your ground beef baked beans questions. It’s simple, delicious, and ready to serve in no time!

Ingredients

What you'll need to make this baked beans with ground beef recipe:

1 pound ground beef (85%-15% blend)
¾ cup diced yellow onion
¾ cup diced green bell pepper
2 (28-ounce) cans of baked beans (We used Bush’s Original brand)
½ cup bottled barbecue sauce (We used Sweet Baby Ray’s Original brand)
½ cup ketchup
¼ cup yellow mustard
¼ cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons molasses
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
½ teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
4 slices center-cut smoked bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
Optional Garnish: ¼ cup chopped green onions

Substitutions and Ingredient Notes

Ground beef → Ground turkey or ground pork
Use the same amount for a leaner or slightly sweeter meat option.

Yellow onion → Sweet onion or white onion
Keeps the same balance of flavor and cooks down just as well.

BBQ Sauce → We recommend a thick and sticky, smoky BBQ sauce for this recipe, such as Sweet Baby Ray's. You can add a bit of a kick to this recipe by using a spicy BBQ sauce, too.

Yellow Mustard → Dijon mustard or spicy brown mustard
Both add a more intense mustard flavor.

Pork and beans → Canned baked beans
Choose a similar-style baked bean with a sweet or smoky flavor.

Bacon → Turkey bacon
Crisp it before adding for similar texture and a lighter alternative.

How to Cook Baked Beans with Ground Beef

Before we dive into the details of each step, here's a quick breakdown of how this recipe is made:

You’ll brown the ground beef and sauté the onions, then stir in the beans, bacon, and barbecue sauce. After everything’s mixed and bubbling, bake it until hot and thickened. It’s a simple, one-dish recipe with big, bold flavor in every bite!

Easy Peasy! Let's jump in.

FIRST STEP: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Place a large oven-safe skillet (12-inch wide by 2-inch deep) on the stovetop and turn to medium-high heat.

SECOND STEP: Once the skillet is hot, add 1 pound of ground beef. Cook for until browned and no pink remains, using a wooden spoon to break it until small pieces as it cooks. Use a slotted spoon to remove the cooked ground beef to a plate and set aside, then drain any excess grease from the skillet and return it to the heat.

Pro Tip

If your ground beef is exceptionally greasy, you can drain it in a colander and rinse it with warm water.

THIRD STEP: Add the diced yellow onion and diced green bell pepper to the hot skillet. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are softened and the onions are slightly translucent. Turn off the heat.

diced yellow onion and diced green bell pepper added to the hot skillet

FOURTH STEP: Add the cooked ground beef, 2 cans of baked beans, bottled barbecue sauce, ketchup, yellow mustard, brown sugar, molasses, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper to the skillet with the cooked onions and bell peppers, Give the beans a good stir until all the ingredients are evenly combined.

baked beans, bottled barbecue sauce, ketchup, yellow mustard, brown sugar, molasses, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper added to the skillet

FIFTH STEP: Top the baked bean mixture with 4 slices of center-cut smoked bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces. Make sure the bacon pieces are evenly spread over the surface of the beans without overlapping so they can cook and crisp well in the oven.

baked bean mixture topped with smoked bacon in the skillet

SIXTH STEP: Place the oven-safe skillet into the preheated oven and bake the baked beans with ground beef until the beans are bubbly and the bacon is crisp.

Pro Tip

Keep an eye on the beans as they cook. You want the beans to be bubbly and the bacon to be crisp. If the bacon isn’t crispy enough after an hour, you can turn on the broiler for a couple of minutes, but watch closely to avoid burning.

Baked Beans with Ground Beef cooked in a skillet

SEVENTH STEP: Serve and Garnish

Remove the skillet from the oven and place it on a heat-safe surface. You can garnish the baked beans with chopped green onions before serving for a fresh, vibrant touch.

How to Serve Ground Beef Baked Beans

A simple dinner, a potluck dish, a state-fair baked beans entry, or even a show-stopping holiday side - no matter how you serve it, this beans with ground beef recipe is a winner.

Turn your baked beans recipe with ground beef into a full, satisfying meal by pairing them with crowd‑pleasing sides and easy accompaniments:

🧄 Crescent Roll Garlic Knots – Buttery and garlicky, these soft homemade knots are great for scooping up extra sauce and pairing with saucy beans for a spoon‑and-bread combo guests love.

📌 Corn Casserole – This buttery, slightly sweet southern-style corn dish is perfect alongside BBQ‑flavored baked beans and ground beef. The moist, cornbread‑like texture makes it ideal for scooping and soaking up every last sauce drop.

🥔 Cheesy Mashed Potatoes – They're creamy, melty, and indulgent, so they're a cozy complement to bold, smoky hamburger baked beans. They’re perfect for comfort-food dinners and potlucks.

🧈 Smothered Green Beans – Tender canned green beans glazed in butter and bacon make for a rich, savory side that matches the meaty goodness in your baked beans recipe.

Why This Is the Best Baked Beans With Ground Beef Recipe

This might just be your new favorite baked beans recipe. Trust us!

Hearty & Filling 🍴 – Packed with protein for a satisfying meal or side dish.

Big Barbecue Flavor 🔥 – Sweet, smoky sauce makes every bite bold and delicious.

Perfect for Potlucks 🎉 – Crowd-pleasing and easy to double for a hungry group.

Simple to Make ⏱️ – Just brown, mix, and bake—no fancy steps or tools required.

Make-Ahead Friendly 🧊 – Tastes even better the next day and reheats like a dream!

Recipe FAQ

Do I need to drain the beef before adding it to the beans?
Yes! Drain off the grease after browning the beef to avoid a greasy final dish.

Can I use a different kind of beans?
Yes, but stick with canned baked beans or pork and beans for a similar sweet, saucy flavor. Avoid plain canned beans unless you adjust the seasonings.

Should the bacon be cooked before adding?
Yes. Cook the bacon first until crisp, then chop and stir it in. This adds flavor and better texture.

Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Yes! Brown the beef and onions first, then combine everything in a slow cooker. Cook on low for 4–5 hours or on high for 2–3 hours.

What’s the best dish to bake it in?
A 9x13 baking dish works great. Use a deep casserole dish to hold everything without bubbling over.

Serving FAQ

Is this dish a side or a main course?
It can be both! Serve it as a hearty side at barbecues or make it the main dish for dinner with a couple of easy sides.

What goes well with baked beans with ground beef?
Classic BBQ dishes, like burgers, hot dogs, and sausages are always winners. But this recipe is delicious enough to make it to your holiday table, and is hearty enough to be served as a whole meal.

Do I need to garnish it?
Not at all, but a sprinkle of chopped parsley or extra bacon on top adds a tasty finishing touch if you’d like.

Storage FAQ

Can I make baked beans with bacon and ground beef ahead of time?
Yes! Cook the dish fully, then let it cool and cover it. Store in the fridge for up to 2 days before serving.

How do I reheat leftover ground beef baked beans?
Scoop into a baking dish or microwave-safe bowl. Cover and heat in the oven at 350°F or microwave until hot.

Can I freeze this recipe?
Yes! Let it cool, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.

How long does it last in the fridge?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh for about 3 to 4 days.

Should I freeze it before or after baking?
Bake it first, then cool and freeze. This helps lock in the flavor and keeps the texture just right after reheating.

BBQ Side Dish Recipes That Pair Perfectly with Baked Beans!