Southern Baked Bean recipe
Turn canned baked beans into a savory Southern side dish with a few additional ingredients and seasonings! This easy recipe has a sweet and savory flavor from the onions, green bell peppers, maple syrup and barbecue sauce!
You can make these as mild or spicy as you prefer and they’re great for a large gathering.
This is an excellent way to dress up a can of Bush’s™ Baked Beans. Their canned beans are white beans (navy beans) that they’ve cooked and contain added ingredients, as well as preservatives.
The additional ingredients deepen the flavor and taste like they’re made from scratch baked beans!
Why you’ll love this recipe
- All-natural – no additives, preservatives or words you can’t pronounce
- Quick and easy – just chop an onion and bell pepper, and combine the remaining ingredients into one big bowl
- Flavorful – homemade maple baked beans taste so much better than store bought!
- Inexpensive – the ingredients aren’t costly so this is perfect for large groups or for your next cookout!
I like to serve these as a side dish with Sloppy Joe’s, Barbecue Ribs or at Easter with Southern Potato Salad!
Here’s what you’ll need
Start with can of baked beans (these are seasoned navy beans) -use plain or some that already have brown sugar in it…it doesn’t really matter! After that, just add a little chopped onion, chopped green bell pepper, dry mustard, garlic powder, paprika, brown sugar, BBQ sauce and maple syrup.
How to make Southern baked beans
- In a large mixing bowl, combine canned beans (with their juice), choped onion, green bell peppers, dry mustard, brown sugar, garlic powder, maple syrup and barbecue sauce; taste for salt and pepper
- Transfer baked bean mixture to a baking dish; bake uncovered @350°F for 50 minutes, or until beans are bubbly and the onions and bell peppers are tender
Recipe tips
- Chop the onion and green bell pepper into fine pieces
- This recipe doesn’t specify a particular amount of salt; after you’ve combined all the ingredients, give it a taste and add a pinch of salt if you want
What can I substitute for maple syrup?
For the best flavor, use a high quality maple syrup; however, if you need a substitute for maple syrup, try using honey, table syrup (from a jar) or agave nectar.
Storage and reheating
Store baked beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, place in 350ºF oven (unccovered) for 15-25 minutes or until they are heated thoroughly or microwave till heated thoroughly.
Variations
- Wanna add a little heat? Sprinkle a little cayenne pepper in the bean mixture and give it a good stir!
- Want a smoky flavor? Put a dash of liquid smoke
- Want it sweeter? Add a little dark brown sugar
- Want it saltier? Add a few strips of raw bacon on top before baking or, cook some bacon in a large skillet and put bacon crumbles on it right before you serve it!
- Want a little more tangy flavor? Add a splash of apple cider vinegar !
This quick and easy recipe is a perfect side dish for your summer cookout, Easter ham or with a burger or sandwich! These take little time and are perfect any time of year!
Southern baked beans are delicious with just about everything!
Related recipes
- Classic Southern Potato Salad
- Texas Coleslaw
- Southern Iced Sweet Tea
- Southern Fried Catfish
- Creamy Southern Corn Pudding
- Southern Fried Okra
- Cream Style Corn
Southern Baked Bean Recipe
Ingredients
- 56 ounces baked beans , any flavor
- 1 cup sweet yellow onion , chopped
- 1 cup green bell peppers , chopped
- 2 teaspoons dry mustard
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar (packed)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1⅓ cup barbecue sauce , any flavor
- ⅔ cup maple syrup
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350ºF
- In a large mixing bowl, add the canned beans and their juice and the remaining ingredients; combine well; taste for salt and add a pinch if you want56 ounces baked beans, 1 cup sweet yellow onion, 1 cup green bell peppers, 2 teaspoons dry mustard, 2 tablespoons brown sugar (packed), 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1⅓ cup barbecue sauce, ⅔ cup maple syrup, salt to taste
- Pour into baking dish
- Bake uncovered @350ºF for 45-50 minutes; allow to rest a few minutes before serving
