Our Top Baked Bean BBQ Side Dishes

Baked beans make for an exceptional BBQ side. Explore a variety of bean-based side dishes, each offering a unique twist to complement your BBQ spread.

1. Classic Baked Beans

For the traditionalists, there's nothing like the simplicity of classic baked beans. Sweet and savory, these beans are slow-cooked to perfection with a blend of molasses, brown sugar, and a touch of smoky bacon.

Ingredients:

• 2 cans (28 ounces each) navy beans, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 4 slices bacon, chopped
• 1 onion, finely diced
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
• 1 teaspoon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).
2. In a skillet, cook the chopped bacon until it becomes crispy. Remove excess grease.
3. In a bowl, mix together molasses, brown sugar, ketchup, barbecue sauce, mustard, black pepper, and salt.
4. Combine the beans, diced onion, and bacon in a baking dish.
5. Pour the molasses mixture over the beans and stir to coat evenly.
6. Bake uncovered for 2 hours or until the beans are tender and the sauce has thickened.

2. Maple Glazed Baked Beans

Add a touch of sophistication to your BBQ with maple glazed baked beans. The rich, velvety sweetness of maple syrup pairs harmoniously with the hearty flavor of baked beans, creating a delightful twist.

Ingredients:

• 3 cans (15 ounces each) navy beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup pure maple syrup
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C).
2. In a bowl, whisk together maple syrup, ketchup, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt.
3. Combine the drained beans with the maple syrup mixture in a baking dish.
4. Stir well to ensure the beans are coated evenly.
5. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until the sauce has thickened, and the beans are caramelized.

3. Honey Mustard Baked Beans

For a tangy kick, try the zesty goodness of honey mustard baked beans. The combination of sweet honey and bold mustard creates a flavor explosion that perfectly complements grilled meats.

Ingredients:

• 2 cans (28 ounces each) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a bowl, whisk together honey, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt.
3. Combine the cannellini beans with the honey mustard mixture in a baking dish.
4. Mix well to coat the beans thoroughly.
5. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the beans are golden and bubbling.

4. Bacon and Jalapeño Baked Beans

Turn up the heat with bacon and jalapeño baked beans. The smokiness of bacon and the spicy kick of jalapeños add layers of flavor to your beans, making them a crowd-pleaser at any BBQ gathering.

Ingredients:

• 3 cans (15 ounces each) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• 6 slices bacon, diced
• 2 jalapeños, seeds removed and finely chopped
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C).
2. In a skillet, cook the diced bacon until crispy. Remove excess grease.
3. In a bowl, mix together brown sugar, molasses, ketchup, mustard, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt.
4. Combine the pinto beans, diced jalapeños, and cooked bacon in a baking dish.
5. Pour the molasses mixture over the beans and stir well.
6. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until the beans are bubbly and the top is caramelized.

5. Southern Style Baked Beans

Transport yourself to the heart of the South with southern-style baked beans. Infused with the essence of barbecue, these beans feature a blend of spices, Worcestershire sauce, and a hint of molasses for that authentic Southern taste. BBQ Fav!

Ingredients:

• 2 cans (28 ounces each) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
• 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a bowl, mix together barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, chopped onion, minced garlic, chili powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt.
3. Combine the black beans with the sauce in a baking dish.
4. Stir well to ensure the beans are evenly coated.
5. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the beans are tender and the sauce is thickened.

6. Vegetarian Baked Beans

Catering to everyone's taste, vegetarian baked beans are a flavorful and hearty side dish option when grilling veggie-based meats.

Packed with a medley of vegetables and a savory tomato-based sauce, they offer a delicious alternative for your non-meat-eating BBQ guests.

Ingredients:

• 3 cans (15 ounces each) mixed beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 bell peppers, diced (any color)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a skillet, sauté chopped onion, diced bell peppers, and minced garlic until softened.
3. In a bowl, mix together tomato sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt.
4. Combine the mixed beans with the sautéed vegetables and sauce in a baking dish.
5. Stir well to evenly distribute the ingredients.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the beans are heated through and the top is slightly crispy.

7. Molasses and Bourbon Baked Beans

Indulge in a touch of luxury with molasses and bourbon baked beans. The rich, deep flavors of molasses combined with the smoky sweetness of bourbon create a side dish that's as sophisticated as it is delicious.

Ingredients:

• 2 cans (28 ounces each) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1/4 cup bourbon
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C).
2. In a bowl, whisk together molasses, bourbon, ketchup, Dijon mustard, soy sauce, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt.
3. Combine the kidney beans with the molasses mixture in a baking dish.
4. Mix well to ensure the beans are coated thoroughly.
5. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the beans are bubbling, and the top is caramelized.

Baked Beans Alternatives

Need more side dish ideas? We recommend trying a crisp corn on the cob or delectable coleslaw side with your next BBQ grilling feast.