Easy Baked Beans with Ground Beef

Hearty, sweet, and savory southern baked beans start with canned baked beans and get doctored up with ground beef, smokey bacon, and brown sugar. They're super easy to make, and I've been told they are the best baked beans (I agree!).

• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Bake time: 30 minutes

These baked beans and my Southern Mac and Cheese are always our top two favorites!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Baked Beans with Ground Beef has all the boxes checked for an easy side dish!

10-minute Prep Time - This recipe is an easy side dish because there isn't a lot of chopping involved.  Use your kitchen scissors to cut or slice the green onions and the bacon.  Also, there's no need to cook the bacon first since it cooks with the beans!

Canned beans - Start with canned baked beans for a true Southern classic - all doctored up with ground beef, crispy bacon, and a sweet-savory sauce that'll have everyone asking for seconds.

Crowd Pleaser - Just about everyone loves baked beans! They go with just about any kind of meat, and this recipe makes 8 servings. Easily double the recipe for a larger crowd.

Hearty Side Dish - The ground beef gives this side dish a hearty texture, and the bacon gives it a wonderful smokey flavor.  And of course, the brown sugar makes it all come together with just the right amount of sweetness.

Ingredients You'll Need

Hamburger meat and bacon add a savory element, providing a rich and meaty flavor that complements the sweetness of the beans.

Ground Beef - makes for a rich and hearty side dish (or main meal!).

Hickory Smoked Bacon - adds a delicious smoked flavor; so no need to add any liquid smoke. Cut the bacon into small pieces about 1-inch squares. You can use either raw bacon or pre-cooked bacon! I love the pre-cooked bacon because it crisps up nicely while baking.

Bush's Original Baked Beans - canned baked beans make this recipe so tasty and easy! Use the barbeque flavored beans if barbeque sauce is more your style. I have not tested this recipe using the barbeque sauce flavor, but I'd have to think they would work just fine.

Dark Brown Sugar - adds sweetness and a hint of molasses flavor.

Worcestershire Sauce - gives this recipe a flavor booster.

Green Onions - wash the green onions, hold them tightly together in a bunch, then use scissors to slice them.

Ingredient Swaps

• Green Bell Pepper - this is an optional ingredient because I know some of you don't like onions at all. So in place of the onions, you can use one small chopped green bell pepper. I recommend cooking them with the ground beef to soften them up.
• Yellow Onion - use minced yellow chopped onion instead of green onion if that's all you have.
• Light Brown Sugar - if all you have is light brown sugar, you can use it in place of the dark brown sugar. The beans won't have as much molasses flavor, but it will work just fine. You could also make your own dark brown sugar by adding 1 tablespoon of molasses to 1 cup of white granulated sugar.
• Ground Sausage - spice it up by using half ground sausage and half ground beef. Thanks for the tip, Jera 🙂

How to Make Baked Beans with Ground Beef

Step by step photos and instructions ensure you will have complete recipe success!

Step 1: Cook the ground beef and drain off the fat.  Add the dark brown sugar, green onions, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, and salt.  Mix well. 

Step 2: Add both cans of beans and gently stir.

Step 3: Pour the mixture into a large baking dish.  Lay the cut bacon strips on top.

Step 4: Bake in a 400F oven uncovered for about 30 minutes.

Recipe Tips

Taste and Adjust - before adding any salt to the beans, do a taste test first. Then if salt is needed, add a small amount at a time, stir, and taste again.

Don't Overmix - to avoid soggy or mushy beans, gently stir or fold in the beans. Less is more when it comes to blending beans.

Make Ahead - you can make this dish the day before. Just cook and drain the hamburger meat, mix in the dark brown sugar, sliced green onions, Worcestershire Sauce, and pepper. Let cool, cover, and place in the refrigerator. Then when you're ready to bake them, fold in the beans and top with bacon. Test for salt; add if needed. Bake as directed.

Easy Meal Plan

My husband can make a meal out of baked beans, but most other humans prefer to have the beans as a side to the main course.  When served as a main meal, serve with French bread, saltine crackers, or Mexican Cornbread. As a side dish, baked beans are fantastic with oven baked brats, juicy steaks, or grilled salmon.

Storing and Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened too much. These beans also freeze beautifully for up to 3 months; just thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat before serving.