This Baked Beans with Hamburger recipe is the perfect BBQ side dish! It is easy, hearty, and ready in about 30 minutes. It delivers the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and smoky flavors.
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When I'm headed to a cookout, backyard BBQ, or family gathering, I am always looking for a side dish that's easy to make and guaranteed to disappear. These Baked Beans with Ground Beef have become one of my go-to recipes. Every time I bring them, I come home with an empty dish. I have learned that the best dishes are simple, full of flavor, and easy to prepare.
If you're planning your next BBQ menu, be sure to check out my other Side Dish Recipes like Coleslaw and Baked Beans with Sausage.
Reader Review: "These baked beans are a game changer. My family loved them and we ate every bite." - Karen
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Hearty and Filling: Adding in the hamburger turns these traditional baked beans into a filling, protein-packed dish.
- Easy to Prepare: Made with simple pantry staples and just a few quick steps. It is a one-pot meal.
- Versatile: Serve it as a side or main dish for family dinners. It is perfect for feeding a crowd.
Equipment
- Flint and Flame Knives - A sharp chef's knife makes chopping so easy, and I love this one.
- Lodge Skillet - Perfect for browning the ground beef and simmering everything together before serving or baking.
- Meat Chopper - Breaks up the ground beef into even crumbles as it cooks, making the perfect texture.
- Can Opener - Perfect for opening up the canned beans.
Ingredients
- Ground Beef: I use 90/10 ground beef to have less grease after browning.
- Colored Bell Pepper: Adds sweetness, color, and a little crunch.
- Onion: A yellow onion is my favorite kind.
- Baked Beans: Use your favorite canned baked beans.
- Worcestershire: Adds a deep, savory flavor.
- Mustard: Yellow Mustard - gives a little tang!
- Hot Sauce: Adds just a touch of heat; feel free to add more if you like extra kick.
- Brown Sugar: Sweetens the sauce and creates BBQ flavor.
- Salt: Enhances all of the flavors.
- Pepper: Adds enough warmth and spice to round out the dish.
Tim's Tip: Don't drain the baked beans! The sauce in the can is packed with flavor and helps create a rich, thick sauce.
How to make Baked Beans with Ground Beef
1. Brown the Beef: Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks. Stir in the diced bell pepper and onion and continue cooking until the vegetables are tender. Drain any excess grease if needed.
2. Add the Remaining Ingredients: Stir in the canned baked beans, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, brown sugar, hot sauce, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything together until well combined.
3. Simmer: Cover and simmer over low heat for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes to prevent sticking. Remove the lid and continue simmering for another 15 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken. Serve warm.
4. Alternate Baked Method: After combining all the ingredients in a Dutch oven, bake at 350°F for 45 minutes until fully warmed through.
Substitutions and Variations
- Swap the Ground Beef: You can use ground turkey, ground chicken, or ground sausage, which works well. Baked Beans and sausage are a perfect example.
- Swap the Brown Sugar: Substitute honey, maple syrup, or even some sweet BBQ sauce for a different touch of sweetness.
- Make it spicer: Increase the amount of hot sauce or add in some crushed red pepper flakes.
Expert Tips
- Don't Drain the Beans - Pour the entire can, including the sauce. The sauce will help create flavor and provide needed moisture to the dish.
- Bake them in the Oven- Baking the beans will thicken the sauce and caramelize the top for that baked bean taste. 350°F oven and bake for 20-30 minutes.
- Make it Ahead - This recipe tastes even better the next day after the flavors have had time to blend.
- Taste Before Serving - Baked beans brands vary in sweetness, so always taste the finished dish and adjust as needed.
What to Serve with Baked Beans with Ground Beef
These baked beans with hamburger are hearty enough to be a meal all by themselves, but they also make an incredible side dish for your favorite BBQ recipes. Pair them with any of these family favorites.
Storage
Refrigeration: Allow leftover baked beans to cool and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezing: Store in a freezer-safe container and store for up to 3 months. Defrost the frozen leftovers overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in the microwave, oven, or on the stove.
FAQs
Yes. Prepare the dish, cover, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. When you are ready to serve, bake it in a preheated oven at 350°F until it's hot and bubbly.
Yes, the slow cooker is a way to cook these. First, brown the ground beef with the onions and bell pepper in a skillet. Then transfer the mixture to your slow cooker and add in the remaining ingredients. Cocer and cook on low for 4 hours, stirring occasionally.
Use your favorite brand! Bush's Original Baked Beans are a classic choice, but any flavor will work well in this recipe!
More Delicious BBQ Side Dishes
Made this recipe? Let me know!
Recipe
Baked Beans with Hamburger
Equipment
- Dutch Oven or Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground Beef
- 1 Bell Pepper Colored, diced
- ¾ cup Onion Diced
- 3 22oz cans Baked Beans
- 2 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Yellow Mustard
- 2 tablespoon Hot Sauce
- ½ tablespoon Brown Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 tsp Pepper
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks. Stir in the diced bell pepper and onion and continue cooking until the vegetables are tender. Drain any excess grease if needed. 1 lb Ground Beef 1 Bell Pepper ¾ cup Onion
- Add the Remaining Ingredients: Stir in the canned baked beans, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, brown sugar, hot sauce, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything together until well combined. 3 22oz cans Baked Beans 2 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce 1 tbsp Yellow Mustard 2 tbsp Hot Sauce ½ tbsp Brown Sugar 1 tsp Salt 1 tsp Pepper
- Simmer: Cover and simmer over low heat for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes to prevent sticking. Remove the lid and continue simmering for another 15 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken. Serve warm.
- Alternate Baked Method: After combining all the ingredients in a Dutch oven, bake at 350°F for 45 minutes until fully warmed through.
Notes
- Don't Drain the Beans - Pour the entire can, including the sauce. The sauce will help create flavor and provide needed moisture to the dish.
- Bake them in the Oven - Baking the beans will thicken the sauce and caramelize the top for that baked bean taste. 350°F oven and bake for 20-30 minutes.
- Make it Ahead - This recipe tastes even better the next day after the flavors have had time to blend.
- Taste Before Serving - Baked beans brands vary in sweetness, so always taste the finished dish and adjust as needed.
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