Southern Baked Bean recipe

This easy Southern Baked Bean recipe has a ton of rich flavor (sweet and savory!) from the onions, green bell peppers, maple syrup and barbecue sauce!

Turn canned baked beans into a savory southern style side dish with a few additional seasonings! Ready in about 30-minutes! 

Make this recipe in a dutch oven on the stove-top or slow-cooker and serve with burgers, hot dogs, ribs, ham…just about anything

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 onion, bell pepper, dry mustard, garlic powder, paprika, brown sugar, BBQ sauce and maple syrup. 

I usually buy Bush’s Original Baked beans because they already have a rich flavor, then add the “secret ingredients” to make amazing baked beans!

How to make Southern baked beans

Oven method (recommended)

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 covered @350°F for 25-35 minutes, or until beans are bubbly

Stovetop method

In a large Dutch oven, add:

• Canned beans and their juice 
• Chopped onion, green bell pepper, dry mustard, brown sugar, garlic powder, maple syrup and barbecue sauce; combine well; taste for salt and black pepper
• Cover and cook on medium-low heat for 1 hour, until peppers and onions are tender and the sauce has thickened.

Perfect amount for a potluck or group! This is one of the quickest and easiest side dishes you can make and it’s perfect for 4th of July, Labor Day, Memorial Day and Easter. It’s a great side dish with ham, barbecue or burgers!

Slow cooker method

Add all the ingredients to the slow cooker or crock pot with a little bit of water; combine the sauce, onions and bell peppers in a large bowl, then pour the mixture into the slow cooker for about 2 hours on low.

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 maple baked beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, place in 350ºF oven (covered) for 15 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!

More Southern recipes

• Southern Potato Salad
• English Pea Salad
• Restaurant Quality Canned Refried Beans
• Foolproof Oven Baked Ribs
• Sweet Heat Slow Cooker Country Ribs
• Candied Sweet Potatoes
• Southern Cornbread Dressing

 

You can make these as mild or spicy as you prefer and they’re great for a large gathering.