Take this baked beans with ground beef recipe to a gathering and you’ll be the life of the party! It easily landed on our list of the best baked bean recipes for a potluck, because everybody likes the balance of sweet and savory, and it’s an ideal side for cooked and grilled meats. Mix the ingredients together and then, on the day you want to enjoy, toss them into a slow cooker.
Prep time is only 15 minutes, making this recipe an easy lift, although you do need to allow for three to four hours in the slow cooker. The good news is that you don’t need to transfer the recipe to another dish if you plan to bring it to an event: simply pack up your slow cooker and go.
Ingredients for Baked Beans with Ground Beef
- Ground beef: Bringing the texture and flavor, ground beef is the king of this recipe.
- Onion: Choose a yellow onion, not white, as yellow onions hold heat and flavor better than their white counterparts.
- Baked beans: These are sold in a can at grocery stores and come in many options, from vegetarian to beans with pork added. No matter which you choose, it’s likely there is tomato (paste or sauce) and onion within, for even more flavor in your recipe.
- Butter beans: Like baked beans, you can easily find these in a can at the grocery store. They are tan in color and high in protein.
- Ketchup: The ketchup builds on the baked beans you’ve already added, acting as a mild sweetener.
- Brown sugar: Adding brown sugar injects a molasses-like flavor and texture, because when brown sugar meets heat it turns into a thick syrup. This also adds sweet notes to the recipe.
- Barbecue sauce: Barbecue sauce from a jar adds a tangy zing to this recipe—and you should not try to go without it!
- Worcestershire sauce: This condiment staple invented in Worcestershire, England, in the early 19th century is a must for this recipe because it contains all the spices you need (vinegar, molasses, tamarind extract, garlic, chili pepper extract, sugar and salt), even if you add just the 1/4 teaspoon called for in the recipe.
Directions
Step 1: Cook the onion and beef
Chop a medium-sized onion into pieces that aren’t finely diced but also aren’t huge. Then, in a large skillet, saute the onion and beef on medium-high heat. Once the meat is no longer pink, drain the pan. The onion should be tender and close to translucent.
Step 2: Add everything to the slow cooker
Add the cooked onion and beef to a 5-quart slow cooker, then stir in the baked beans, butter beans, ketchup, brown sugar, barbecue sauce and Worcestershire sauce.
Editor’s Tip: When measuring out brown sugar, it should be packed tightly before adding to the recipe. The easiest way to do this is to dump 1-1/2 cups of brown sugar into a measuring cup, then take the back of a spoon and press the surface down until the brown sugar is packed.
Step 3: Cover and cook
Cook on high for three to four hours, or until everything is completely heated through.
Recipe Variations
- Try it meatless: If you have a vegetarian in your family or at a gathering, swap out the ground beef for meatless crumbles, found in the freezer aisles at your local grocery store.
- Make it lower-fat: If you want to make this recipe healthier, substitute cannellini beans for butter beans, as they contain zero fat.
- Bake it in the oven: Few things smell better than beans and beef cooking in the oven, so if you’ve got the time (or don’t have a slow cooker), pop this recipe into the oven instead. Bake at 350°F for 45 minutes.
How long do baked beans with ground beef last in the fridge?
Should you have leftovers, simply move them to a covered dish and refrigerate for three to five days. If you have enough room in your fridge, you can also store these right in the slow cooker.
Can you freeze baked beans with ground beef?
If you don’t think you can eat leftovers within the next few days, don’t worry, because this recipe holds up well in the freezer for up to six months, as long as it’s in a covered container or a resealable freezer bag. When it’s time to enjoy, reheat in the microwave, the slow cooker or the oven.
Can I make baked beans with ground beef ahead of time?
You can absolutely make this recipe ahead of time. Prepare everything up until the cooking step in the slow cooker, then store covered in the refrigerator. Prepare no more than two days ahead of the time you plan to heat, serve and enjoy.
Baked Beans with Ground Beef Tips
What should I serve with baked beans with ground beef?
Our favorite cornbread recipe (we like it because it’s super simple to make and delightfully moist) is a good pairing, as are smashburgers hot off the grill.
Do I have to use baked beans and butter beans to make baked beans with ground beef?
We know it can be tempting to use what’s already in the pantry, but we do not recommend removing the baked beans, as they are the star here. You could use cannellini beans, navy beans or Great Northern beans instead of butter beans, if you wish, and it will not drastically change the recipe’s flavor profile.
