I grew up learning how to cook by watching my great-grandmother bring Southern staples to life, and these baked beans are straight out of that playbook. With family roots in Louisiana and Mississippi, I’ve held onto the bold, rich flavors she taught me to love, and this recipe is exactly how we made baked beans in our house growing up.
The bacon gets nice and crispy on top while the beans soak up all that rich, tangy sauce. It’s simple to throw together but tastes like you spent all day on it. Let me show you how to make ’em just right.
You will also love our Homemade Pork and Beans and Oven Baked Baby Back Ribs.
Southern Baked Beans Ingredients
- Canned Baked Beans: I always go for the vegetarian variety. We are going to season these up with the best spices, so we don't need much flavor from the beans.
- Bacon
- Onions
- Garlic
- BBQ Sauce
- Ketchup
- Chili Powder
- Brown Sweetener or Sugar
How to Make Southern Baked Beans
Detailed instructions and serving sizes can be found in the recipe card below.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Cook the bacon: Place chopped bacon in a skillet over medium heat. Cook until crisp.
- Sauté the aromatics: Add the chopped onions to the bacon and fat, and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Build the sauce: Reduce heat to low and stir in BBQ sauce, ketchup, chili powder, and brown sweetener (or sugar). Mix until smooth and combined.
- Combine the beans: Add the canned baked beans to the skillet (or transfer everything to a baking dish). Stir to coat the beans evenly in the sauce.
- Bake: Transfer to a baking dish if needed. Bake until hot, bubbly, and slightly thickened.
- Finish and serve.
Want to save this recipe for later?
I'll email it to you, so you can come back to it later! You will also grab your FREE ebook with my best 30-minute one-pot meals! Dinner stress stops here.
Southern Baked Beans
Want to save this recipe for later?
I'll email it to you, so you can come back to it later! You will also grab your FREE ebook with my best 30-minute one-pot meals! Dinner stress stops here.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 slices bacon
- 1 cup chopped onion I use white onion.
- 2 garlic cloves Minced.
- 2 28oz cans baked beans I use vegetarian.
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- ½ cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon chili powder This amount will give the beans a kick. If you don't want a dose of spicy omit it or start with ½ teaspoon and continue to taste and build.
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
- 2-4 tablespoons brown sugar or sweetener I typically use 3. See notes.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- I like to use a cast iron skillet to make everything using one pan. You can use any pan or oven safe baking dish.
- Heat a skillet on medium high heat and add the bacon and chopped onions. Cook until the bacon is crisp and the onions are translucent and fragrant.
- Drain any excess fat. Add in the garlic and stir.
- Add in the beans, ketchup, BBQ sauce, liquid smoke, chili powder, and brown sugar or sweetener. Stir. Taste the mixture repeatedly to ensure the flavor meets your tastes. I don't add any salt because I feel the bacon adds enough. Taste and decide if you want to add salt or any other flavor.
- (Alternatively, you can cook your bacon separately and simply add all of the ingredients to your baking dish without sauteing them on the stove first. Sauteing the onions and garlic first is done to enhance the flavor).
- Bake for 50-60 minutes until the beans are bubbly and the sauce has thickened.
- Bake the beans uncovered. Place a sheet pan under your pan if you fear the mixture will drip over and seep out.
- Remove from the oven and cool before serving.
Video
Notes
- Macros noted assume monkfruit sweetener is used.
- I don't completely drain the beans, but I do pour off the top layer of liquid that forms in the can.
- I don't find chili powder spicy, but some people do! So if you don't want spicy beans omit the chili powder or start with a ½ teaspoon and continue to adjust to taste.
- I like for a moderate taste of sweetness so I use 3 tablespoons of brown sugar or sweetener. If you want them to be really sweet use ¼ cup.
- You can omit the liquid smoke, it's the secret star that adds flavor.
Nutrition
Nutrition Data
Macros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
Frequently Asked Questions and Recipe Pro Tips
I like for a moderate taste of sweetness so I use 3 tablespoons of brown sugar or sweetener. If you want them to be really sweet use ¼ cup.
I love to serve mine with a kick because the combination with brown sugar and bacon is just out of this world! I don't find chili powder spicy, but some people do! So if you don't want spicy beans omit the chili powder or start with ½ teaspoon and continue to adjust to taste.
I love to use a cast iron skillet. That's the traditional Southern way and you can make everything in one pan since cast irons are oven safe.
You can also use a 9x13 baking dish.
This recipe will make 8 servings, but you can easily double or triple that by doubling the ingredients used in the recipe. You will need to bake the beans at least 10 minutes longer, but maybe even a little more. Use your judgment and check in on the texture of the beans to determine if they have finished cooking.
Yes, you can make these ahead. Allow the beans to cool and place them in a tightly sealed container in the fridge. They will last up to 4 days.
Absolutely! This is another common way to make Southern baked beans. You can add in a pound of ground beef at the same time that you add the bacon. If you are omitting the bacon, you can simply add it in it's place.
Make sure to grab vegetarian baked beans. From there, you can simply omit the bacon used in this recipe.
This is probably the most important ingredient in the recipe! Your baked beans need BBQ flavor. Use your favorite sauce! I like to use our local Kansas City Gates BBQ Sauce, but any of your favorite sauce will work.
It’s all about layering flavor, think bacon or smoked meat, something sweet like brown sugar, a little tang from mustard or vinegar, and a rich, thick sauce.
Let them bake long enough for the sauce to thicken up. You can also reduce the amount of liquid you add or uncover them toward the end.
Yes, just load up on seasoning and add a little smoked paprika or liquid smoke for that depth.
This method doesn't make dry beans, because the ratios are intact. If you're having trouble with dry beans, cover them while baking and only uncover at the end if you want to thicken the sauce.
You can freeze these in a tightly sealed container for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight. I love to reheat these in the oven or air fryer on 350 degrees until warm.
I love to reheat these in the oven or air fryer on 350 degrees until warm.
Pair This Dish with These Main Dishes
Air Fryer Ribs
Air Fryer Catfish
Traeger Smoked Salmon
Slow Cooker BBQ Meatballs
How to Grill the Best Burgers
How to Grill Chicken Wings
Grilled Baby Back Ribs
More Southern Side Dishes
Southern Coleslaw
Southern Potato Salad
Southern Mustard Greens
Southern Homemade Cornbread
Easy Spaghetti Salad
Southern Macaroni Salad
Southern Mac and Cheese Recipe
If you want to make beans without using canned, check out my Instant Pot Baked Beans.
Check out a listing of all Southern Soul Food Recipes the Best Authentic Soul Food Recipes here.
Alisan says
Made these for our family cookout over the weekend and everyone kept talking about how much they loved them! This will now be my go to recipe for baked beans. Thank you!!!
staysnatched says
You're welcome! Glad you enjoyed them.
Danielle says
Made these today and they are delicious! Easy and the best baked beans! Found my go to baked bean recipe! Thanks for the recipe Brandi!
staysnatched says
You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed them.
K. Phillips says
Made these for a holiday cookout and they were a hit! If your family doesn't have a designated baked beans person (or, if you feel like choosing violence) bring these to the next cookout! The bbq flavor is everything.
staysnatched says
I'm glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Andreé says
These baked beans were delicious and super easy to make! This will be my go to recipe from now on!!
Thank you for sharing!
staysnatched says
You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed them!
Natalie Go says
These are everything you want baked beans to taste like, I legit wanted to bathe in them. Absolutely delicious and very easy to make.
staysnatched says
haha, I'm glad you enjoyed them.
Bud says
Can I make this in a slow cooker and how long do you cook them
staysnatched says
Probably. I’ve never tried it and have no instructions.
Melis says
These turned out great! I only used half of chili powder called for but will use full amount next time!
staysnatched says
Glad to hear it!
Lucia smith says
Easy southern baked beans are nice to eat. I have tried the recipe with ghee as the baking oil. ghee clarified butter smoke point is higher than any other oil, and I like the ghee favor.
staysnatched says
Thanks for sharing!
Ashley says
These are amazing! Everyone raved about them and said they tasted just like a top tier bbq joint! Thanks for a great recipe!
staysnatched says
I’m glad to hear everyone enjoyed them!
Chene’ says
I made these this weekend and they were PHENOMENAL! My husband and my kids both loved them. I added ground beef along with the bacon and it really just took it to the next level. I will be making this recipe over and over.
staysnatched says
That’s so good to hear!
Kim says
This came out great! (even though I have never been down South!)
:O
I'll definitely be making this again, especially when Fall weather gets here!
staysnatched says
Wonderful! I'm glad you enjoyed them.
Jesse says
Can you make them in a crockpot?
staysnatched says
Probably. I haven’t done it.