Southern Style baked beans have brown sugar and bacon and will become your go-to recipe. They’re the best you’ve ever tasted!
Are baked beans really southern style?
Well, the answer to that is… I’m not sure. Here in the south most everyone adds bacon to their baked beans and maybe that makes them southern. If it’s Vidalian onion season I would certainly use those and they would no doubt make them southern.
But, Boston Baked Beans are very popular too, and a search through several recipes doesn’t reveal much difference to our southern style ones. To further complicate matters, there is much argument over the origin of baked beans. Some say they’re from South America, some say Europe and some say they’re Native American.
Whatever the case, this baked beans recipe with bacon is the best you will ever try.
Baked Beans go well with what?
To begin with, they are a natural side dish with barbecue of any sort. In fact, we like to add a little barbecue sauce to ours, and that really kicks them up a notch and makes it a match made in heaven. If you want a little more smoke in your beans, try our Smoked Baked Beans recipe.
But, baked beans are really great with anything that is grlled or cooked outdoors. Hamburgers, pork chops, chicken, steak – you name it.
Another favorite that dates back to when I was a young girl growing up in the south is ham. Of course, we even cook our ham outdoors. Have you seen our Smoked Ham on the Big Green Egg?
Speaking of growing up in the south, you’ll want to read our article Southern Food Then and Now. It’s a fun look at traditions, ingredients and even a peek into the future.
What kind of beans are actually in this baked beans recipe with bacon?
We do start with baked beans already in the can. If you want to go all out, you can make yours from scratch. This recipe from A Mindfull Mom looks pretty awesome.
While we do use canned baked beans as the basis for this recipe, we highly recommend starting with a good quality. Bush’s Best Original or Homestyle is hands down our favorite.
THIS RECIPE MADE OUR “BEST OF THE YEAR” LIST. THE OTHERS CAN BE FOUND HERE.
Baked Beans Recipe with Bacon
Ingredients
- 3 strips bacon cut into small pieces
- 1 small-medium onion diced
- 2 28 ounce cans Bush's Best Homestyle or Original Baked Beans drain off about half of liquid.
- 1 Tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 Tablespoon worcestershire sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2-3 Tablespoons barbecue sauce
- ½-1 teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
Instructions
- Cook chopped bacon in skillet over medium heat until done and crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon leaving baon grease in skillet.
- Cook diced onion until transluscent and limp, about 8-10 minutes.
- Stir onion, bacon and all remaining ingredients together and pour into a 9 inch by 9 inch baking pan.
- Bake at 400 for 40-45 minutes.
This recipe made the suggested list for the Backyard BBQ Menu Ideas. You’ll want to visit for lots of other recipes as well as tips, tricks and planning help for your cookout.
If you make this or any of our recipes we’d love for you to leave us a comment and star rating. If you’re into sharing your creations, snap a photo and tag us when you post it to Facebook or Instagram.
More southern recipes you’ll love:
Ambrosia Salad 
Apple Pecan Cheesecake 
Sweet Potato Cornbread 
Classic Pecan Pie 
Bourbon Cocktail with Honey, Sage & Orange 
Mexican Style Biscuits
Beth Neels says
This is the only way to eat baked beans! They are so juicy and moist and flavorful! Thanks for the recipe!
Pam says
Thanks so much, Beth!
Katherine says
Bacon is such a great twist in these southern style baked beans! A million times better than canned baked beans.
Pam says
Bacon makes everything better!
Ayngelina says
I love baked beans but I’ve never tried making them before. You make it look so easy I think this is a good time to try.
Pam says
It’s super simple. Thanks, Ayngelina!
jen says
Perfect recipe for the summer BBQ season.
Pam says
We’re ready! Thank you, Jen.
Alison says
A great baked beans recipe for the summer season.
Pam says
Thanks, Alison!
Margi says
Really close to my recipe but yours is on the menu for tomorrow night but, this is a throwback to when my kids were home, I’m also going to chop up hot dogs and put in them in the beans. I told my son one night that that was what I was having and he said, oh mom even I outgrew that. Nope, not me, still love it.
Pam says
hahaha…. made me laugh! Hope you enjoy them, Margi!
Margi says
Loved it but I did put a little ketchup on the side to dip an occasional bit of hot dog. Had it with the last of the asparagus and a slice of fresh baked artisan bread. Yum.
Pam says
So happy you enjoyed!
Courtney | Love & Good Stuff says
I love all the flavour in this dish! Great recipe, thanks so much for sharing!
Pam says
Thanks so much, Courtney!
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says
What a delicious way to enjoy baked beans – tempted to give it a try, for sure!
Pam says
Thanks, Bintu!
Tawnie Kroll says
These were so good and had so much flavor! A keeper recipe for sure!
Pam says
Yay! Happy you loved it.
Jenn says
I simply LOVE this recipe. I always screw up baked beans, but by starting with a can, I can add homemade flavor to already cooked beans. This recipe is asked for again and again! We love it!
Pam says
Thanks so much, Jenn!
Angela says
It really is the perfect side dish for a BBQ. This recipe is a keeper!
Pam says
Awesome! Thank you, Angela!
Shadi+Hasanzadenemati says
Love how easy this recipe is. It’s perfect for our family!
Beth says
We LOVE bacon and this recipe was our favorite! We served this at our family potluck and everyone loved this recipe! Can’t wait to make this again!
Pam says
Awww.. thanks Beth!
Lyn says
Wow! I loved baked beans as a kid growing up but my mom always just used the ones you buy in a can. I love making homemade versions of canned foods so I can control what goes into my food a bit more. I can’t wait to try out this recipe. Thank you.
Dannii says
Everything is better with bacon, right? These beans look delicious.
Pam says
Absolutely!
Maria says
I love that this dish could pass as side dish and appetizer <3 I'm a sucker for everything with bacon and this recipe is one of my favorites!