Hello food enthusiasts! Are you ready to discover the best baked beans recipe out there? Whether you’re hosting a summer BBQ or simply looking for a comforting side dish, our favorite baked beans recipe with beef will steal the show. This dish combines rich flavors from BBQ sauce, dijon mustard, and a hint of smoked paprika, making every bite irresistible. Plus, it’s super easy to prepare and perfect for sharing with family and friends. Get ready to impress everyone with a delicious baked bean dish that’s flavorful, hearty, and oh-so satisfying, now with the extra depth of ground beef!
Ingredients
Scale
½ pound of ground beef
1 small sweet onion, diced
1 bell pepper, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chili powder (adjust to taste)
Preheat the Oven Start by preheating your oven to 400°F. This step is essential to ensure your baked beans are perfectly cooked with a syrupy texture.
Cook the Ground Beef In a large oven-safe skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Break it up with a spatula while cooking to ensure even browning. Drain any excess fat before continuing.
Sauté the Vegetables Add the diced onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften and become fragrant, which usually takes around 5 minutes.
Add the Spices Stir in the smoked paprika, chipotle chili powder, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. Let the spices cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to release their flavors.
Incorporate the Sauces Pour in the apple cider vinegar, BBQ sauce, ketchup, dijon mustard, and brown sugar. Stir the mixture until all ingredients are well combined, ensuring a balanced blend of sweet, tangy, and smoky flavors.
Add the Beans Pour the canned baked beans (liquid and all) directly into the skillet. Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a boil. This step helps the flavors meld together before baking.
Bake the Beans Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the beans are bubbly and syrupy. Remove from the oven and let the dish cool slightly before serving.
Notes
Use Lean Ground Beef Opt for lean ground beef (80/20 or 85/15) to prevent the dish from becoming too greasy. Drain any excess fat after browning the beef.
Adjust the Heat If you prefer a spicier kick, increase the amount of chipotle chili powder. For a milder flavor, use less or omit it altogether.
Don’t Overcook the Beef To avoid dry beef, make sure you cook it just until it’s no longer pink. The beef will continue to cook while baking with the beans.
