Southern-style baked beans with hamburger aren’t just a tasty side for a BBQ or potluck; by combining baked beans with ground beef and bacon, it transforms the traditional American side into a filling and complete meal – all you need is a buttery chunk of cornbread!
What Can I Add to My Baked Beans?
- Bacon: Add cooked bacon, chopped ham, or sausages to increase the smokiness of the dish.
- Vegetables: Saute onions and green bell peppers in bacon grease to enhance their flavor before adding them to the baked beans.
- Garlic: I suggest using three cloves, but don’t let my recipe tell you how much garlic to use – measure with your heart.
- Spices: Finish our baked beans with hamburger recipe by seasoning it with smoked paprika, cayenne, and ground cinnamon.
- Ground Beef: Ground beef adds protein and savoriness to make the beans a complete meal, more like chili.
- BBQ Sauce: Include BBQ sauce in the beans for added flavor; some recipes use ketchup or tomato sauce instead.
- Brown Sugar: Balance the savoriness of the beans with brown sugar, maple syrup, or molasses.
- Mustard: I prefer yellow mustard, but use Dijon if you enjoy a more tangy flavor.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Worcestershire adds depth and umami to the baked beans with ground beef mixture.
- Bush’s Southern Baked Beans: Start the recipe with Bush’s Baked Beans and doctor them with other tasty ingredients.
Additions and Substitutions
- Dice jalapeños or serrano chilies instead of green bell pepper for a spicier variation.
- Replace half or all of the brown sugar with molasses or honey.
How to Make Baked Beans with Hamburger and Bacon
The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350℉ (176℃). Cook the bacon according to the package in a Dutch oven or a large cast-iron skillet. Set the bacon aside to drain on a plate with paper towels.
Step 2: Pour out some of the oil from the bacon and add onion and bell pepper to the pan. Saute over medium heat until the onions become translucent and soften, for about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
Step 3: Stir in the smoked paprika, cayenne, and ground cinnamon.
Step 4: Then, add the ground beef, breaking it up with a meat chopper until finely minced. Cook the beef until brown and heated through for about 10 minutes.
Step 5: Add in the BBQ sauce, brown sugar, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce.
Step 6: Return the bacon to the skillet and stir in the baked beans until everything is combined.
Step 7: Cover the pan with foil and bake in the oven for 40 minutes.
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What are the Best Side Dishes That Compliment Baked Beans
Baked beans with hamburger is a complete meal all on its own, but other tasty sides and dinner entrees are an excellent way to balance the meal.
- Homemade Coleslaw with Mint and Cilantro, Vinegar Coleslaw
- Healthy Potato Salad
- Grilled Zucchini, Air Fryer Zucchini and Squash, Corn on the Cob
- Dutch Oven Macaroni and Cheese
- Vegetable Chopped Salad
- Air Fryer Chicken Burgers, Hotdogs, Air Fryer Turkey Burgers, Turkey Smash Burgers
- Roasted Potatoes
- Biscuits, Dinner Rolls, Cornbread
- Beef Ribs, Instant Pot Beef Ribs
What to do With the Leftovers
- Refrigerate – Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
- Can you freeze baked beans with hamburger meat? Let the beans cool, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. Baked beans with hamburger freeze for up to 3-6 months.
- Thaw – Defrost the frozen baked beans in the refrigerator overnight.
- Reheat – Warm leftovers on the stovetop or microwave, and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
What meat goes with baked beans?
• Bacon: Increase the salty, smoky flavor of the beans by including crispy bacon.
• Pork: Pork and beans, I mean, name a more classic duo; you can add pulled pork, pork ribs, pork chops, and even smoked pork sausages to the baked beans.
• Beef: While not as common as pork, beef options like beef sausages, grilled steak, or even meatloaf can complement the flavors of baked beans. You can also use ground turkey or chicken instead of ground beef.
• Ham: Like some versions of black-eyed peas, you can include ham hock or sliced ham to increase the bean’s flavor.
• Sausages: Sliced smoked sausages, chicken sausage, bratwurst, or hot dogs are a tasty addition to beans.
• Grilled Chicken: Grilled or barbecued chicken provides a lean protein option that pairs nicely with the saucy baked beans.
What kind of beans to use for baked beans?
The most common option for making baked beans is navy beans, also called Boston or pea beans. The small, oval-shaped navy beans have a mild flavor and a creamy texture once they finish cooking – making them perfect for baked bean recipes.
Our recipe calls for Bush’s Baked Beans, also made with navy beans and other ingredients to give the beans their signature flavor.
Can you make this recipe ahead of time?
If you need to make the beans in advance – begin by cooking the bacon, sautéing the vegetables, and browning the ground beef. Then, add the remaining ingredients to a baking dish or oven-safe pan. Cover and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake the beans according to the instructions.
How do I make baked beans thicker?
To make baked beans thicker, you have a few options. First, simmer the beans uncovered to allow some liquid to evaporate. Or gently mash some beans against the pot’s side to release natural starches.
More Ground Beef Recipes:
Baked Beans with Hamburger
- 6 strips bacon, cooked and roughly chopped
- 1 medium white onion, finely diced
- 1 medium green bell pepper, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 pound ground beef
- ⅓ cup BBQ Sauce
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 3 cans Bush's Southern Baked Beans, 15-ounce, drained
- Preheat the oven to 350℉ (176℃). Cook the bacon according to the package in a Dutch oven or a large cast-iron skillet. Set the bacon aside to drain on a plate with paper towels.
- Pour out some of the oil from the bacon and add onion and bell pepper to the pan. Saute over medium heat until the onions become translucent and soften, for about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
- Stir in the smoked paprika, cayenne, and ground cinnamon. Then, add the ground beef, breaking it up with a meat chopper until finely minced. Cook the beef until brown and heated through for about 10 minutes.
- Add in the BBQ sauce, brown sugar, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Return the bacon to the skillet and stir in the baked beans until everything is combined.
- Cover the pan with foil and bake in the oven for 40 minutes.
- The nutritional information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for professional advice.