These Southern Style Baked Beans are rich, smoky, sweet, and savory—everything you want in a classic comfort-food side dish. Made with canned baked beans, thick-cut bacon, and a bold blend of barbecue sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard, this recipe is easy to prepare and always a hit at cookouts, potlucks, holidays, and family dinners.
Slow-baked until thick and bubbling, the flavors deepen beautifully, making this dish even better than store-bought or basic baked beans.
Ingredients
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2 cans (28 oz each) baked beans with bacon
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½ cup ketchup
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½ cup barbecue sauce
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¼ cup brown sugar
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1 tablespoon yellow mustard
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1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
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¼ teaspoon garlic powder
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¼ teaspoon black pepper
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5–6 slices thick-cut bacon, diced into ½-inch pieces
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Step 2: Cook the Bacon
In a skillet over medium heat, cook the diced bacon until just starting to crisp. Do not overcook—it will finish cooking in the oven.
Drain excess grease, leaving about 1 tablespoon for flavor.
Step 3: Mix the Beans
In a large mixing bowl, combine:
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Baked beans
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Ketchup
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Barbecue sauce
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Brown sugar
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Yellow mustard
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Worcestershire sauce
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Garlic powder
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Black pepper
Stir until well combined.
Step 4: Add Bacon
Fold the cooked bacon into the bean mixture.
Step 5: Bake
Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish or large oven-safe casserole.
Bake uncovered for 60–90 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until thick, bubbly, and deeply flavored.
Step 6: Serve
Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Tips & Variations
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Extra smoky: Add ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
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Spicy: Stir in diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce
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Sweeter: Add 1–2 tablespoons maple syrup
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Heartier: Add diced onion or bell pepper
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Slow cooker option: Cook on LOW for 4–5 hours
Serving Suggestions
Serve with:
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Barbecue ribs or pulled pork
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Fried chicken
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Burgers and hot dogs
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Cornbread or biscuits
Storage
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Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days
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Reheat in the oven or microwave until hot
Final Thoughts
This Southern Style Baked Beans recipe delivers deep, classic flavor with minimal effort. Sweet, smoky, and loaded with bacon, it’s a timeless side dish that belongs on every Southern-style table.