Ahhhh, baked beans!! What’s a better side at a BBQ then beans? I’ve tasted a lot of baked beans in my day, and my baked beans just might be The Best Baked Beans. And since 4th of July is possibly the biggest BBQ day of the year, I figured it was the perfect time to share my recipe.
I got this recipe from a friend back when my girls were in elementary school (20+ years ago), and I’ve been making them ever since. They’re still a favorite and one of my most requested BBQ sides. And the best thing about these is that they are so easy to make for a large crowd (I’ve made them for 100+ on multiple occasions), and, you can make them the day before (bake the day of serving).
Back in the day, I made these every 4th of July. We used to host a large 4th of July party (swim/bbq/fireworks), but now that the family is grown and it’s just my hubby and I this year, there will be no beans. Now don’t be getting too sad for me, I made them last week when we had company for dinner 🙂
Whether or not we host a 4th of July party, I need to decorate! After Christmas, 4th of July is my favorite holiday. I love BBQ’ing with friends, being out in the sunshine, and all things red/white/blue! I just can’t help myself, I have to decorate. This year I kept it fairly simple, but ……. a few of my favorite red/white/blue and stars/stripes items make an appearance!
Here’s a peek into my 4th of July decor….
And finally, my Baked Bean recipe…..
Lots of ground beef, beans, fresh chopped onions, ketchup (or is it catsup?), brown sugar, and crispy bacon are gently mixed together.
Topped with more bacon and brown sugar. Cover with foil and bake them for a really long time!!!!
Trust me on this, line the bottom of a large baking sheet with multiple layers of foil. Place your baking dish on top. Then bake. Do you see the mess under the pan? That sugary sticky mess would have been burnt on the bottom of the oven if I skipped this step.
Grab a big serving spoon and get ready to dig in!!
Oh YUMMY! Baked beans and a side of cornbread, what could be tastier??
And don’t forget, if you love this recipe, please PIN it. 
- 4 28 oz cans Campbell's Pork & Beans (drained)
- 1¾-2# 80-20 ground beef (browned)
- 1# bacon (cooked crispy and chopped). Reserve 4 slices (chopped) for topping.
- 1 lg yellow onion (finely chopped)
- 1 cup dark brown sugar (reserve ¼ cup for topping)
- 1 20oz bottle ketchup
- Brown the ground beef in large frying pan (season with salt and pepper), drain fat if needed.
- In a separate frying pan, cook the bacon till crispy.
- Chop or crumble bacon, reserving 4 crumbled slices for the topping.
- Drain the beans.
- Finely chop the yellow onion.
- Add beans to cooked ground beef. Gently stir in ketchup, chopped onion, chopped bacon, and brown sugar.
- Put mixture into large oven proof casserole.
- Top with reserved brown sugar and chopped bacon.
- Cover with foil.
- Place casserole dish onto foil lined rimmed baking sheet (you do not want this to over flow onto the bottom of your oven).
- Bake at 350• for 45 minutes, then reduce heat to 200* and cook for another 2 hours.
Looking for me delicious side dishes??
Pineapple Fried Rice 
Loaded Smashed Potatoes 
30+ Delicious Summer Salads 
Noreen Pera-Schwartz says
July 1, 2015 at 10:17 amOh wow… these look yummy and will try when not hosting my vegetarian daughter and future son-in-law.
Thanks so much for sharing a vegan option for the 4th BBQ!
Healing Tomato says
July 1, 2015 at 7:50 pmI Love a good hearty meal. Great recipe idea for 4th of July.
Veronica @ seefoodplay.com says
July 2, 2015 at 12:30 amWhat a fabulous recipe, perfect for summer entertaining & the 4th of July!! I’ll definitely be making this over the weekend for my in-laws — it’ll be their very first 4th of July BBQ since they’re French, so this will be a great introduction for them to a classic American recipe 🙂
Deepika@EasyBabyMeals says
July 2, 2015 at 11:47 pmWhat a wonderful meal, perfect for an upcoming holiday weekend. Thanks for sharing.
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
July 3, 2015 at 1:53 amI love that you put bacon in your beans. It’s different from how we do it here in the UK, but just as good 🙂
Byron Thomas says
July 3, 2015 at 6:13 amI want this right now! Without the bacon, of course. 🙂
Jen says
July 3, 2015 at 9:51 amThese look really good. Anything with bacon…..
Suzanne Holt says
July 3, 2015 at 10:40 amCould you substitute another kind of pork & beans? I know that Campbells are not gluten free, and that is what my family need.
Gretchen Garrison says
July 3, 2015 at 10:42 amLove your 4th of July decorations. Although they did cause me to remember that I have decorated at all for summer yet. Maybe this will inspire me … (By the way, the recipe also looks delicious and one added to my list of recipes to try!)
Suzanne Holt says
July 3, 2015 at 10:43 amCould you substitute another kind of pork & beans? I know that Campbells are not gluten free, and that is what my family need.
Lydia @ Suitcase Fooidst says
July 3, 2015 at 5:21 pmIt really isn’t the 4th of July without baked beans, is it? Love your recipe!
Sara Borgstede says
July 3, 2015 at 7:17 pmThis recipe looks great! I shared on my Facebook page. Your 4th of July decorations look amazing too. I’m ready to head right over to your house for the celebration. 🙂
Rachel @ Simple Seasonal says
July 6, 2015 at 5:40 amI think baked beans are one of my favorite parts of a 4th of July meal. I actually like the more than hot dogs and hamburgers, which I guess is a little weird… Your decorations for the 4th our gorgeous! Can you come an decorate my home?? I recently moved and I’m having difficulty in the decorating department!
Sara | Belly Rumbles says
July 11, 2015 at 5:33 amThese look so yummy!
Jen says
July 12, 2015 at 3:28 amThose beans looks great and perfect for celebrating!
Erica @ The Crumby Cupcake says
July 14, 2015 at 3:43 pmYou know, I keep meaning to make my own baked beans! I really do. Usually, my idea of homemade baked beans is putting them in a dish and NOT eating them straight from the can, lol. These looks so yummy, and easy! It’s gonna happen…one day!
Lane & Holly @ With Two Spoons says
June 21, 2016 at 12:10 pmYum, yum! The bacon looks heavenly!
Amanda says
June 25, 2017 at 7:41 pmWhat’s the serving size for this recipe? I need to make enough for 20+ people…help!
Renee says
June 26, 2017 at 7:42 amI’m not at home to check the serving size on the bean can, but if you’re serving as a side dish, this recipe should make plenty. If you’re serving it as more of a main course, you might want to increase the recipe.