My roots are from Kansas City, I know a few things about barbeque sides and these beans are perfect solo but amazing with some barbeque!
Recipe Alternatives
For beans, you can use a variation of navy or pinto beans that have been drained and rinsed. Just, make sure to increase the sauce ingredient amounts by ½ since they won’t be starting with any foundational flavors.
For my vegetarians, we’ve got you covered. You can easily make this dish vegetarian by excluding the beef bacon. The baked beans will still have tons of flavor.

Can this recipe be made on a grill?
Baked Beans can definitely be done on the grill. Just make sure to use a cast iron or grill safe dish. Adjust timing as needed. Don’t burn those babies.

Can you freeze bbq baked beans?
Yes. You can freeze baked beans. Make sure to allow them to cool first before putting them into a sealable freezer bag. I’d recommend eating them within 3 months.

Did we just make homemade barbeque sauce?!
Basically, feel free to multiply this recipe minus the beans. Use this delicious brown sugar BBQ sauce at your discretion, wink wink. Two recipes in one, score! You’re Welcome.

Cast Iron Brown Sugar Baked Beans
Ingredients
- 6 strips of crispy bacon browned
- 4 cans pork and beans
- 1 medium onion diced
- 1 jalapeno diced
- ½ large bell pepper diced
- ½ tablespoon garlic minced
- ½ tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
- 3 tablespoons of ketchup
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- salt and pepper to taste
- optional: green onion chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven 325 degrees.
- On medium high heat fry bacon in cast iron skillet on stovetop until browned. Remove bacon from the skillet and place on paper towel to soak up excess grease. Reserve the bacon grease in the pan for the remaining cooking.
- On medium heat and add onions, garlic, bell pepper and jalapeno. Sauté for 5 minutes then stir in all the remaining ingredients and bring to a light boil for an additional 5 minutes. Remove from heat and taste. Add salt and pepper to your liking.
- Place cast iron skillet in middle oven rack for 90 minutes and stir every 20-30 minutes. Increase temperature to 425 degrees and bake for additional 10 minutes. Server warm and add chopped green onion (optional).
Nutrition
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate.
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