This BBQ Beans Recipe with Canned Beans is the perfect side dish for any summer barbecue or family gathering. Whether you’re serving them alongside pulled pork, hot dogs, or grilled chicken, these beans are sure to steal the show. This recipe takes all the goodness of traditional baked beans but simplifies the process by using canned beans so that you can enjoy the comfort of this classic dish without all the prep work.

BBQ baked beans with bacon, ready to be enjoyed at a summer barbecue.

For the perfect summer barbecue, you only need this recipe for the best baked beans, grilled chicken, burgers and hot dogs, creamy potato salad, deviled eggs, and buttery corn on the cob. And of course, don’t forget to finish it with refreshing ice-cold tea, lemonade, and a zesty no-bake key lime pie for dessert!

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Simple and Quick: These BBQ baked beans are easy to make with minimal prep. Using canned beans means no soaking or long cooking times. Just mix, bake, and enjoy a delicious side dish in no time.
Perfect for Picky Eaters: Free from bell peppers and extra onions, this recipe keeps it simple with a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors that even picky eaters will love.
Customizable Spice Level: You can control the heat! Add extra chipotle powder for a kick, or leave it out for a milder flavor.
Versatile and Flavorful: These beans are a great side for any BBQ meal, whether pulled pork, hot dogs, or grilled veggies. The smoky bacon, BBQ sauce, and brown sugar make them a hit at any gathering.
Convenient and Stress-Free: With canned beans, this recipe is a time-saver. No need for long cooking times or complicated steps – throw everything together and bake.

A comforting dish of homemade BBQ baked beans with bacon, perfect for a family dinner.

Warm BBQ baked beans with bacon served in a dish, ready to complement your BBQ spread.

Ingredients for BBQ Baked Beans

Here’s everything you’ll need to make these deliciously easy BBQ baked beans:

8 slices of bacon (partially cooked and released the drippings, or fully cooked bacon if you prefer)
1 tablespoon dried minced garlic
1/2 tablespoon smoked paprika
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup BBQ sauce – use your favorite kind for the best flavor.
2 tablespoons ketchup
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder (this adds heat – feel free to leave it out if you are sensitive to spice, or add more if you like the heat)
1 teaspoon salt – more or less to preferred taste.
2 (22 ounce) cans of beans – I love to use Bush’s Grilling Beans. You can also use great northern beans, butter beans, or navy beans, but drain the beans and increase the barbeque sauce to 3/4 cup and the ketchup to 1/3 cup.

Kitchen Tools (affiliate links): baking dish

Close-up of BBQ baked beans with a rich sauce and crispy bacon, freshly baked and ready to serve.

How to Make BBQ Beans Recipe with Canned Beans

Preheat the Oven: Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C)
Cook the Bacon: Start by cooking your bacon. If you’re using partially cooked bacon, crisp it up in a pan over medium-high heat and let the bacon grease release. If you’re using fully cooked bacon, cook it and chop it into small pieces.
Combine the Ingredients: In a large baking dish, add the entire contents of the can of beans (if using Bush’s Grilling Beans, no need to drain; if using regular canned beans, be sure to drain and rinse them first). Then, add the minced garlic, smoked paprika, apple cider vinegar, BBQ sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and brown sugar. Stir everything together until the beans are evenly coated with the sauce.
Add the Bacon: Stir the cooked bacon into the bean mixture. For extra flavor, you can layer partially cooked strips of bacon on top of the beans before baking.
Bake the Beans: Cover the baking dish with foil. Bake for 1 hour at 350°F. The beans will bubble up during this time, and the sauce will thicken.
Let it Cool and Serve: Once the beans are done baking, let them sit for about 10 minutes to cool and thicken slightly.

Recipe Tips

Adjust the Flavor: Feel free to adjust the sweetness, tanginess, or heat to suit your taste. Add more brown sugar for extra sweetness, a splash of vinegar for more tang, or increase the chipotle powder for a spicier kick. You’re in control!
Smoky Flavor: Add a little smoked BBQ rub to the mix if you want an even smokier flavor.
Make Ahead: These beans are perfect for prepping ahead of time. Make them the day before and store them in the fridge. Reheat before serving for a fuss-free side dish.

Smoky BBQ baked beans topped with crispy bacon, ready for serving at a summer cookout.

Recipe Variations

Add Bell Peppers: If you like extra texture and flavor, consider adding a green bell pepper. You can sauté them in the same pan as the bacon or add them raw to the bean mixture for an added crunch.
Make it in the Slow Cooker: If you prefer to let your beans cook slowly, you can easily adapt this recipe for a crock pot. Add all the ingredients and cook on low for 3-4 hours. The flavors will have plenty of time to meld together, and you won’t have to worry about the beans in the oven.
Swap the Bacon for Pulled Pork: For a heartier version, add pulled pork to the beans. This will give the beans a smoky, meaty flavor that’s perfect for a main dish or a filling side for a BBQ feast.
Try Different Beans: While Bush’s Grilling Beans are a favorite for this recipe, feel free to experiment with other types of canned beans like great northern beans, butter beans, or even navy beans. You will want to increase the barbecue sauce to 3/4 cup if you use a plain variety of beans.

How to Store Leftover BBQ Beans Recipe with Canned Beans

Refrigerator: Store leftover BBQ baked beans in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freezer: For longer storage, freeze the beans in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months.
Reheat: To reheat, warm the beans in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water if needed, to loosen the sauce. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating.

BBQ Beans Recipe with Canned Beans

These BBQ baked beans with canned beans are the perfect side dish for any BBQ or family meal. With smoky bacon, tangy BBQ sauce, and a touch of sweetness from brown sugar, this easy recipe is customizable to your taste. A crowd-pleaser that pairs perfectly with grilled meats, burgers, or pulled pork.

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 1

Total Time 1 5

Serving Size 4 servings

Ingredients

8 slices of bacon partially cooked and released the drippings, or fully cooked bacon if you prefer
1 tablespoon dried minced garlic
1/2 tablespoon smoked paprika
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup BBQ sauce – use your favorite kind for the best flavor.
2 tablespoons ketchup
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder this adds heat – feel free to leave it out if you are sensitive to spice, or add more if you like the heat
1 teaspoon salt – more or less to preferred taste.
2 22 ounce cans of beans – I love to use Bush’s Grilling Beans. You can also use great northern beans, butter beans, or navy beans, but drain the beans and increase the barbeque sauce to 3/4 cup and the ketchup to 1/3 cup.

Instructions

Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C)
Start by cooking your bacon. If you’re using partially cooked bacon, crisp it up in a pan over medium-high heat and let the bacon grease release. If you’re using fully cooked bacon, cook it and chop it into small pieces.
In a large baking dish, add the entire contents of the can of beans (if using Bush’s Grilling Beans, no need to drain; if using regular canned beans, be sure to drain and rinse them first). Then, add the minced garlic, smoked paprika, apple cider vinegar, BBQ sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and brown sugar. Stir everything together until the beans are evenly coated with the sauce.
Stir the cooked bacon into the bean mixture. For extra flavor, you can layer partially cooked strips of bacon on top of the beans before baking.
Cover the baking dish with foil. Bake for 1 hour at 350°F. The beans will bubble up during this time, and the sauce will thicken.
Once the beans are done baking, let them sit for about 10 minutes to cool and thicken slightly.

Notes

Adjust the Flavor: Feel free to adjust the sweetness, tanginess, or heat to suit your taste. Add more brown sugar for extra sweetness, a splash of vinegar for more tang, or increase the chipotle powder for a spicier kick. You’re in control!
Smoky Flavor: Add a little smoked BBQ rub to the mix if you want an even smokier flavor.
Make Ahead: These beans are perfect for prepping ahead of time. Make them the day before and store them in the fridge. Reheat before serving for a fuss-free side dish.
Add Bell Peppers: If you like extra texture and flavor, consider adding a green bell pepper. You can sauté them in the same pan as the bacon or add them raw to the bean mixture for an added crunch.
Make it in the Slow Cooker: If you prefer to let your beans cook slowly, you can easily adapt this recipe for a crock pot. Add all the ingredients and cook on low for 3-4 hours. The flavors will have plenty of time to meld together, and you won’t have to worry about the beans in the oven.
Swap the Bacon for Pulled Pork: For a heartier version, add pulled pork to the beans. This will give the beans a smoky, meaty flavor that’s perfect for a main dish or a filling side for a BBQ feast.
Try Different Beans: While Bush’s Grilling Beans are a favorite for this recipe, feel free to experiment with other types of canned beans like great northern beans, butter beans, or even navy beans. You will want to increase the barbecue sauce to 3/4 cup and the ketchup to 1/3 cup if you use a plain variety of beans.

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Services LLC Associates Program participant, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

About Sarah

Wife. Mother. From-Scratch Cook. Homemaker.

I’m Sarah, the creator of Rocky Hedge Farm, where I share my love for simple living, homemade meals, and creating a cozy home. As a wife and mother, I’m passionate about slowing down, cooking from scratch, and finding joy in the everyday moments of life. From DIY projects and family-friendly recipes, I hope to inspire others to embrace a life rooted in simplicity and warmth.

Learn More