Oh, Southern cooking! Is there anything more comforting? And baked beans… mmm, they just scream “cookout” to me! I remember my grandma always making a huge pot for our family reunions. It was the first thing to disappear, every single time. Well, I’ve taken that classic and kicked it up a notch with this recipe for Southern Style Baked Beans with Beef. Trust me, the smoky beef flavor takes these beans from “good” to “OMG, these are amazing!” It’s the perfect crowd-pleaser; everyone always asks for seconds (and the recipe!). Seriously, if you want to be the star of your next BBQ, you HAVE to try these Southern Style Baked Beans with Beef!
Why You’ll Love This Southern Style Baked Beans with Beef Recipe
Okay, so why should you make *these* baked beans? Let me tell you!
Quick and Easy to Prepare
Seriously, this is a dump-and-go kinda recipe. Plus, you probably already have most of these ingredients in your pantry. Score!
Rich and Smoky Beef Flavor
The beef and bacon? Forget about it! They add SO much flavor. It’s smoky, savory, and just plain delicious.
Perfect for Potlucks and BBQs
Take these to your next cookout, and watch them disappear. Seriously, you’ll be the hero of the party!
Ingredients for Southern Style Baked Beans with Beef
Alright, let’s gather our goodies! Here’s what you’ll need to make these amazing Southern Style Baked Beans with Beef. Don’t skimp on the good stuff!
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1/2 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled (yes, ALL of it!)
- 2 (16-ounce) cans pork and beans, undrained
- 1 (28-ounce) can baked beans
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste (don’t be shy!)
How to Make Southern Style Baked Beans with Beef: Step-by-Step Instructions
Okay, ready to get cooking? Here’s how we’re gonna make these Southern Style Baked Beans with Beef, step-by-step. Don’t worry, it’s easier than you think!
Preparing the Beef Base
First, crank that oven up to 350°F (175°C). You want it nice and hot! While that’s warming up, grab a big skillet and brown your ground beef over medium heat. Make sure you break it up as it cooks. Once it’s browned, drain off any extra grease – nobody wants greasy beans! Then, toss in your chopped onion and green bell pepper. Cook them until they’re nice and soft, about 5 minutes or so. You want them translucent, not burnt, so keep an eye on ’em!
Combining the Ingredients
Now for the fun part! Find a big ol’ bowl (seriously, the biggest one you’ve got) and dump in that beef mixture. Then add the bacon (yum!), both cans of beans (don’t drain ’em!), ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, chili powder, and garlic powder. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Don’t be afraid to get in there with a big spoon and mix everything together really well. Make sure all those flavors are happy and combined!
Baking the Southern Style Baked Beans with Beef
Okay, grab a 9×13 inch baking dish (or something similar) and pour that bean mixture right in. Spread it out evenly, and pop it into that preheated oven. Bake for about an hour, or until it’s heated through and bubbly. You’ll know it’s ready when the top is slightly browned and those bubbles are popping like crazy. Careful, it’s hot!
Resting and Serving
Now, this is important: Let those beans stand for about 10 minutes before serving. I know, it’s hard to wait, but trust me, it lets the flavors meld together even more. Then, scoop ’em up and serve ’em hot! Get ready for some serious compliments!
Tips for the Best Southern Style Baked Beans with Beef
Want to take these Southern Style Baked Beans with Beef from awesome to legendary? Here are a few of my secrets!
Don’t Overcook the Beef
Seriously, you just want to brown it, not turn it into shoe leather! Overcooked beef gets tough and dry, and nobody wants that in their beans. Just brown it until it’s no longer pink, then move on. Trust me on this one!
Adjust Sweetness to Taste
Everyone likes their baked beans a little different, right? So, taste those beans before you bake ’em! If you like ’em sweeter, add a little more brown sugar or molasses. If you prefer ’em less sweet, cut back a bit. It’s all about making them *your* perfect Southern Style Baked Beans with Beef!
Let the Southern Style Baked Beans with Beef Rest
Patience, my friend! I know it’s tempting to dive right in, but letting those beans rest for 10 minutes (or even longer!) after baking makes a HUGE difference. The flavors meld together, and they just taste even better. It’s like magic!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Southern Style Baked Beans with Beef
Okay, so maybe you’re missing an ingredient or just wanna mix things up? Here’s the lowdown on swaps for these Southern Style Baked Beans with Beef!
Ground Beef Alternatives
No ground beef? No problem! Ground turkey or sausage works great too. Just brown ’em up the same way before adding the veggies. My family actually loves it with spicy Italian sausage for a little kick!
Vegetarian Option
Wanna make these vegetarian? Easy peasy! Just skip the beef and bacon. Add some extra veggies like diced carrots, celery, or even some mushrooms for extra flavor and heartiness. Yum!
Spice Level Adjustment
Want to bring the heat? A pinch of cayenne pepper will do the trick! Or, add a dash of your favorite hot sauce. Start small and taste as you go – you can always add more, but you can’t take it away!
Serving Suggestions for Southern Style Baked Beans with Beef
Alright, so you’ve got these amazing Southern Style Baked Beans with Beef, but what do you serve with ’em? Here are a few of my favorite pairings!
BBQ Meats
Ribs, pulled pork, brisket… you name it! These beans are the PERFECT side for any BBQ feast. Seriously, they were made for each other!
Cornbread or Biscuits
Nothing says “Southern comfort” like cornbread or biscuits with baked beans. Trust me, you’ll want something to soak up all that delicious sauce!
Coleslaw
A refreshing coleslaw is the perfect way to balance out the richness of the beans. The cool, creamy crunch is just what you need!
Storing and Reheating Your Southern Style Baked Beans with Beef
Okay, so you *somehow* have leftover Southern Style Baked Beans with Beef? Wow! Here’s how to keep ’em fresh and delicious!
Storage Instructions
Pop those leftover beans into an airtight container and stick ’em in the fridge. They’ll be good for up to 3 days. But let’s be real, they probably won’t last that long!
Reheating Instructions
Wanna warm ’em up? You can either zap ’em in the microwave (easy peasy!) or reheat ’em in the oven at 350°F until they’re bubbly again. I like the oven ’cause it keeps ’em from drying out, but the microwave works in a pinch!
Frequently Asked Questions About Southern Style Baked Beans with Beef
Got questions about these Southern Style Baked Beans with Beef? I got answers! Here are a few of the most common things people ask me.
Can I make Southern Style Baked Beans with Beef ahead of time?
Absolutely! In fact, I often think they taste even BETTER the next day! Just make the beans as directed, let ’em cool completely, and then store ’em in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, just reheat ’em in the oven or microwave. Easy peasy!
Can I freeze Southern Style Baked Beans with Beef?
Yep, you sure can! Just let the beans cool completely, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container. They’ll keep in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. When you’re ready to eat ’em, thaw them overnight in the fridge, and then reheat as usual. Just be aware that the texture *might* change a little after freezing, but they’ll still taste amazing!
How can I make Southern Style Baked Beans with Beef spicier?
Oh, you want some heat? I like your style! The easiest way to spice things up is to add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of your favorite hot sauce. You could also throw in some diced jalapeños for extra flavor and kick! Just remember to start small and taste as you go – you can always add more, but you can’t take it away!
Nutritional Information for Southern Style Baked Beans with Beef
Okay, so you’re probably wondering what the damage is, right? Here’s a *rough* estimate of the nutritional info for one serving (about 1 cup) of these Southern Style Baked Beans with Beef. Keep in mind, this is just an estimate, and it can vary depending on the exact ingredients you use.
Expect something around:
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
So, yeah, they’re not exactly health food, but they’re packed with flavor and protein! Everything in moderation, right? Enjoy!
Print
Devour Amazing Southern Style Baked Beans with Beef
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Classic Southern baked beans with a rich, smoky beef flavor. A hearty and satisfying side dish.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1/2 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 2 (16-ounce) cans pork and beans, undrained
- 1 (28-ounce) can baked beans
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large skillet, brown ground beef over medium heat. Drain off any excess grease.
- Add onion and bell pepper to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine the browned ground beef mixture, bacon, pork and beans, baked beans, ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, chili powder, and garlic powder. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Pour the bean mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour, or until heated through and bubbly.
- Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For a spicier flavor, add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- You can substitute ground turkey or sausage for the ground beef.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
