Hearty Baked Beans with Ground Beef — Stovetop, Oven or Slow Cooker

This easy Baked Beans with Ground Beef recipe is a flavorful, budget-friendly dish. Hearty, tender ground beef blends perfectly with creamy baked beans, creating a comforting side that’s perfect for family meals, potlucks, and backyard cookouts. These loaded baked beans pair wonderfully with hamburgers, ribs, grilled chicken, or hot dogs and are a go-to for summer gatherings.

Try variations like homemade baked beans, chicken kabobs, sloppy Joe casserole, stovetop mac and cheese, roasted red potatoes, or cheeseburger sliders for other crowd-pleasing options.

Canned baked beans with ground beef

These upgraded canned baked beans taste so close to homemade that guests will never suspect they started with a can. You can prepare them on the stovetop as a one-pot meal, bake them in the oven, or make them in a slow cooker. They’re also great cooked over a summer campfire for an easy cowboy-style meal.

Enhancing canned baked beans with ground beef, bacon, and a few simple seasonings creates a rich, satisfying side. Brown sugar, barbecue sauce, and honey add sweet and tangy depth to the dish.

Recipe Snapshot

EASY: Ready to assemble in about 10 minutes.
FLAVORFUL: Balanced sweet and tangy seasonings.
MAKE AHEAD: Great for camping, potlucks, and reheating for busy weeknights.
This recipe works with several cooking methods and can feed a crowd when doubled or tripled.

For other hearty, comforting dishes, consider beef enchilada casserole, Mexican chicken and rice casserole, chicken enchilada casserole, cowboy cornbread casserole, or taco spaghetti.

Ingredients

• Ground beef – 1 pound (around 93% lean recommended)
• Bacon – about 2.5 ounces pre-cooked bacon, chopped, or cook your own
• Pork and beans – 3 (15-ounce) cans (use your favorite brand)
• Onion – 1 cup yellow onion, chopped
• Ketchup – 1/2 cup
• Barbecue sauce – 1/2 cup
• Brown sugar – 1/4 cup
• Honey – 2 tablespoons
• White vinegar – 1 tablespoon
• Yellow mustard – 1 tablespoon
• Garlic powder – 1 teaspoon
• Onion powder – 1 teaspoon
• Black pepper – 1/2 teaspoon

How to make baked beans with ground beef

In the oven

STEP ONE – Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

STEP TWO – In a large cast iron skillet, brown the ground beef with the bacon over medium heat for 5–7 minutes, or until the meat is cooked through. Drain excess fat.

STEP THREE – Add the drained pork and beans, chopped onion, ketchup, barbecue sauce, brown sugar, honey, vinegar, mustard, and spices to the skillet.

STEP FOUR – Stir until everything is well combined.

STEP FIVE – Bake uncovered for 45 minutes in the oven-safe skillet or transfer to a baking dish and bake uncovered for 45 minutes.

On the stovetop (one-pot)

Follow the steps above through STEP FOUR. Then simmer on medium-low heat for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and flavors meld.

These baked beans are convenient to make at a campsite or picnic: prepare ahead and reheat over a grill or campfire, or finish cooking using the stovetop method at the site.

In the crockpot

Follow the oven method through STEP TWO, then transfer everything to the slow cooker and stir to combine. Cook on HIGH for 1 hour or LOW for 2–3 hours, until heated through and well melded.

Substitutions & variations

Make the dish spicier by adding cayenne or red pepper flakes. Swap the beef for ground turkey, chicken, pork, or Italian sausage. For a different texture, stir in sliced hot dogs or smoked sausage.

Handy tips

You can double or triple the recipe to feed a crowd. Leftovers are perfect for topping hot dogs to make chili dogs, layering into casseroles, or using in meal prep for quick weeknight dinners.

Storage and reheating instructions

Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Reheat in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between bursts, until hot. Alternatively, reheat in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through.