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Easy Loaded BBQ Baked Beans Recipe for a Quick Crowd-Pleaser

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A quick and flavorful baked beans recipe loaded with smoky bacon, tangy BBQ sauce, and melted cheddar cheese, perfect for gatherings and weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 (28 oz / 800 g) cans navy beans or great northern beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup (240 ml) BBQ sauce
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
  • 1/4 cup (50 g) brown sugar, packed
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, diced
  • 1 cup (100 g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced
  • Optional: 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
  • Optional: 1/2 cup (75 g) diced bell peppers

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Cook the bacon in a medium skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving rendered fat in the pan.
  3. In the same skillet with bacon fat, sauté chopped onion until soft and translucent, about 4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. If using jalapeño or bell peppers, add and cook 2-3 minutes until slightly softened.
  4. In a large bowl, whisk together BBQ sauce, ketchup, yellow mustard, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, and black pepper until smooth.
  5. Add drained beans, cooked bacon, and sautéed vegetables to the sauce mixture. Gently stir to combine without mashing the beans.
  6. Pour the bean mixture into a prepared large oven-safe baking dish, spreading evenly.
  7. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes to meld flavors and thicken the sauce.
  8. Remove from oven, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top, and return to oven. Bake an additional 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
  9. Garnish with sliced green onions before serving.

Notes

If beans seem too thick before baking, add a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce. Watch cheese closely in the final minutes to avoid burning. For vegetarian version, omit bacon and add smoked sea salt or liquid smoke. Use quality canned beans like Bush’s or Goya for best texture. Beans taste better the next day after flavors meld.

Nutrition

Keywords: BBQ baked beans, loaded baked beans, easy baked beans, crowd-pleaser, bacon baked beans, cheesy baked beans, summer recipe

Find it online: https://tastytuck.com/easy-loaded-bbq-baked-beans-recipe-for-a-quick-crowd-pleaser/