BBQ Baked Beans with Hamburger

You know that moment when everyone crowds around the picnic table at a summer cookout, forks ready to dive into the first dish? For me, that’s always been my BBQ baked beans with hamburger. It’s the kind of dish that disappears fast, sweet, smoky, and packed with hearty ground beef that makes it a meal on its own.

I’ve been tweaking this recipe for years, from backyard potlucks to cozy winter dinners, and trust me, it’s foolproof. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just craving some comfort food, these baked beans are your new go-to. Let’s get cooking!

If you prefer your BBQ blend, try this homemade BBQ sauce recipe; it’s smoky, sweet, and easy to whip up.

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Why You’ll Love BBQ Baked Beans with Hamburger

This isn’t just another side dish, it’s the superstar of every cookout and weeknight dinner. Here’s why it’s my forever favorite:

• Bold flavor: That smoky-sweet BBQ sauce pairs perfectly with savory beef
• Effortless: Just brown, mix, and bake, no fancy techniques
• Crowd-pleaser: Kids and adults go crazy for it (I’ve seen people sneak thirds!)
• Versatile: Serve it hot at picnics, cold from the fridge at midnight… no wrong way to eat it

Seriously, once you try this combo of tender beans and juicy hamburger, you’ll understand why I make it year-round.

Ingredients for BBQ Baked Beans with Hamburger

Gather these simple ingredients – I promise you probably have most already! The magic happens when humble pantry staples come together. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 lb ground beef – I use 80/20 for flavor, but lean works too (just don’t skip draining the fat!)
• 1 medium onion, diced – About the size of a baseball, nice small pieces so they melt into the sauce
• 2 cans (28 oz each) baked beans – My secret? Bush’s Original – their sauce base is perfect for this
• 1 cup BBQ sauce – Sweet Baby Ray’s is my go-to, but use your favorite bottled or homemade
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar – Pack it in tight! Light or dark both work – dark gives deeper molasses notes
• 1 tbsp yellow mustard – Just the basic yellow kind, no fancy Dijon needed here
• 1 tsp garlic powder – The quick flavor boost that makes all the difference
• 1/2 tsp salt & 1/2 tsp black pepper – Season as you go – taste before baking!

See? Nothing crazy – just good, honest ingredients that transform into something amazing. Now let’s get cooking!

Equipment Needed

Don’t stress – you likely have everything already! Here’s what I grab from my kitchen:

• Large skillet for browning that hamburger (my trusty cast iron works best)
• 9×13 baking dish – glass or ceramic, nothing too fancy
• Mixing bowl big enough to hold all those saucy beans
• Wooden spoon – perfect for scraping up all the good browned bits

That’s it! No special gadgets needed for this down-home deliciousness.

How to Make BBQ Baked Beans with Hamburger

Ready for the easiest, most satisfying dish you’ll make all week? Here’s exactly how I layer flavors for that perfect bite every time – follow these steps and you’ll be scraping the baking dish clean!

Step 1: Cook the Ground Beef and Onions

First, grab that trusty skillet and crank the heat to medium. Toss in your ground beef and break it up with a wooden spoon – I like mine in small, bite-sized crumbles. Once it’s mostly browned (about 5 minutes), throw in those diced onions. Keep stirring until the onions turn translucent and the beef loses its pink color. Here’s my golden rule: drain that excess fat! Tip the skillet carefully into a heatproof bowl lined with foil – nobody wants greasy beans.

Step 2: Mix the BBQ Sauce and Beans

Now the fun part! In your biggest mixing bowl, dump both cans of baked beans (juice and all – that liquid gold flavors everything). Plop in the BBQ sauce, packed brown sugar, mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir like you mean it – get that sauce completely blended. Then, fold in your cooked beef and onions gently. Take a quick taste – this is when I usually add another pinch of salt or splash of BBQ sauce if needed.

Step 3: Bake to Perfection

Pour your saucy mixture into the baking dish and slide it into your preheated 350°F oven. No lid needed – we want that top to caramelize slightly! Set your timer for 45 minutes, but peek around 30 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the edges bubble like a lava pit and the sauce thickens enough to coat your spoon. That irresistible sweet-smoky aroma means success!

Tips for the Best BBQ Baked Beans with Hamburger

After years of perfecting this recipe (and scraping empty baking dishes at every potluck), here are my can’t-miss secrets:

• Taste before baking: Adjust BBQ sauce or brown sugar to your sweetness preference – I often add an extra splash!
• Go lean: 90/10 ground beef means less draining, but 80/20 gives richer flavor (just drain thoroughly).
• Veggie boost: Toss in diced bell peppers or jalapeños with the onions for crunch and color.
• Smoke it up: A dash of liquid smoke or smoked paprika adds incredible depth.
• Rest time matters: Let it sit 5 minutes after baking – the sauce thickens perfectly.

These little tweaks make good baked beans unforgettable – trust me, your guests will beg for the recipe!

Serving Suggestions

Oh, the possibilities! These BBQ baked beans with hamburger shine beside fluffy cornbread (my cast iron skillet recipe is perfect for sopping up sauce). For cookouts, pile them next to smoky ribs or grilled chicken. Weeknight hack? A simple scoop over buttery mashed potatoes or crisp coleslaw makes it a meal. And let’s be real, sometimes I just grab a spoon and eat it straight from the baking dish. No judgment here!

Pair this dish with BBQ chicken sliders or BBQ cauliflower bites for a complete summer spread.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Leftovers? (As if!) But if you somehow have extra, let the beans cool completely before popping them in an airtight container. They’ll keep in the fridge for up to 3 days – though mine never last that long! To reheat, I splash in a tablespoon of water and warm them gently on the stove or in the microwave, stirring often until bubbly again.

Pro tip: the flavors deepen overnight, so these might taste even better the next day!

Nutritional Information

Now, I’m no nutritionist, but here’s the scoop on what’s in this hearty dish! Keep in mind these numbers are ballpark figures – your exact amounts will depend on the brands of BBQ sauce and beans you use (and let’s be honest, whether you sneak an extra spoonful of brown sugar like I sometimes do!).

A typical serving (about 1 cup) of these BBQ baked beans with hamburger gives you that perfect balance of protein from the beef and fiber from the beans. It’s got that comforting richness while still being surprisingly wholesome. The sugar content mainly comes from the natural sweetness of the baked beans and BBQ sauce – nothing artificial here!

For those watching specific dietary needs: this recipe is naturally low in lactose (just check your BBQ sauce labels if you’re sensitive), and you could easily make it gluten-free by choosing the right brands of beans and sauce. Like all good comfort food, enjoy it in moderation – though I won’t judge if you go back for seconds!

Remember folks – home cooking isn’t an exact science. Your mileage may vary depending on ingredients, serving sizes, and how generous you are with that sauce. The most important nutrition fact? Every bite is packed with love and flavor!

Love this kind of hearty, flavorful recipe? You’ll also enjoy our cheeseburger French fry bake, and slow cooker cowboy beans.

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