Loaded Baked Beans

Name: Loaded Baked Beans with Ground Beef and Sausage
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 12 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 (28 oz) cans original baked beans; 2 tbsp barbecue seasoning; 1 stick salted butter; 1 cup ketchup; 1/4 cup yellow mustard; 2 tbsp ground black pepper; 2 tbsp cayenne pepper; 1/2 cup Kansas City style barbecue sauce; 1 tbsp liquid smoke; 1 tbsp garlic powder; 2 tbsp ground cinnamon; 1 tbsp vanilla extract; 1 (14 oz) link beef sausage, chopped; 1 red onion, chopped; 2 tbsp garlic, chopped; 1 cup mixed bell peppers, chopped; 1 lb ground beef; 1 cup brown sugar; 1 cup granulated sugar

These loaded baked beans combine canned beans with ground beef, sausage, and a complex sweet-savory sauce built on ketchup, mustard, barbecue sauce, and liquid smoke. The result is a hearty, deeply flavored side dish that works for cookouts, potlucks, or weeknight dinners.

🌍American 🏷️Baked beans 🏷️Loaded baked beans 🏷️Ground beef 🏷️Sausage Cookout

🏷️

🏷️Barbecue side

-0:00

TikTok

Total

1h

Servings

12

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$34–$56

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok

-0:00

TikTok

Ingredients

4 (28 oz) cans original baked beans
2 tbsp barbecue seasoning
1 stick salted butter
1 cup ketchup
1/4 cup yellow mustard
2 tbsp ground black pepper
2 tbsp cayenne pepper
1/2 cup Kansas City style barbecue sauce
1 tbsp liquid smoke
1 tbsp garlic powder
2 tbsp ground cinnamon
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1 (14 oz) link beef sausage, chopped
1 red onion, chopped
2 tbsp garlic, chopped
1 cup mixed bell peppers, chopped
1 lb ground beef
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar

19 Ingredients

Delivery in as fast as one hour.^*

Powered by Instacart

Prices vary by store

^*Service fees apply. Instacart^® and the Instacart logo are registered trademarks of Maplebear Inc. d/b/a Instacart.

Instructions

1
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef and cook, crumbling it with a spoon, until browned.
2
Add the chopped beef sausage, red onion, mixed bell peppers, and chopped garlic to the skillet. Cook until the vegetables have softened.
3
Stir in the barbecue seasoning, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder. Cook for another minute until fragrant.
4
Carefully drain the excess grease from the meat and vegetable mixture.
5
In a large baking dish, combine the drained meat mixture with the canned baked beans.
6
Add the remaining ingredients: salted butter, ketchup, yellow mustard, barbecue sauce, liquid smoke, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Stir everything together until well combined.
7
Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 45 minutes, until bubbly and thickened.
8
Let cool slightly before serving.

Was this recipe helpful?

Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Brown the ground beef and sausage fully before combining with beans to develop deeper flavor and prevent steam from making the beans watery.
Toast the spices (black pepper, cayenne, garlic powder) briefly with the butter before adding liquid ingredients to bloom their flavors.
Add the liquid smoke last and taste as you go—it's potent and can overpower the dish if over-applied.
Keep the mixture warm over low heat rather than high heat to prevent sticking and allow flavors to meld.

Substitutions

Kansas City style barbecue sauce → Texas red sauce or Memphis-style sauce (adjust sweetness by adding extra mustard if needed)
Yellow mustard → Dijon or spicy brown mustard (changes flavor profile to more tangy)
Liquid smoke → ½ tsp smoked paprika (milder smoke flavor, less intense)
Salted butter → unsalted butter + ½ tsp kosher salt (for better salt control)

Storage & make-ahead

Store covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of water to restore creaminess, or cover and warm in a 325°F oven for 15–20 minutes.

Common Questions

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes. Prepare the entire dish, cool completely, then refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a 350°F oven or on the stovetop with a splash of water.

Can I use fresh beans instead of canned?

Canned beans are recommended for this recipe as they're pre-cooked. If using dried beans, soak and cook them until tender before mixing with other ingredients.

What type of meat should I use?

Ground beef and sausage work as written. You can use crumbled bacon, diced ham, or adjust the ratio based on preference.

Can I reduce the spice level?

Yes. Start with 1 tbsp each of black pepper and cayenne, then taste and adjust. Liquid smoke can also be reduced from 1 tbsp to ½ tbsp if too strong.

How long does this bake?

The recipe does not specify a baking time or temperature. Prepare on the stovetop or in a covered baking dish at 325–350°F until heated through (approximately 20–30 minutes).