Gam Gam's BBQ Beans

USA

Smoky & Sweet Baked Beans

SUBMITTED BY

Taylor

In Taylor’s family, no BBQ was complete without his Gam Gam’s baked beans.

Gam Gam’s BBQ Baked Beans are the ultimate Southern-style side dish for any backyard cookout, potluck, or holiday spread. This hearty baked bean recipe combines smoky, sweet, and savory flavors in one irresistible casserole that always steals the show next to grilled meats and barbecue classics.

What sets these BBQ baked beans apart is the meaty trio: browned ground beef, sliced kielbasa, and crispy bacon, all simmered together with a blend of pork and beans, kidney beans, and butter beans. The result is a rich, protein-packed dish with layers of texture in every bite.

The sauce is where the magic happens. Brown sugar and ketchup build a sweet, tangy base, while a splash of liquid smoke delivers that deep, campfire-style flavor without ever touching a grill. A bit of white vinegar cuts through the richness, balancing the sweetness for a perfectly rounded finish.

This baked beans recipe comes together easily: brown the beef and onions, crisp up the kielbasa and bacon, whisk together the sauce, then combine everything in a baking dish. Bake covered at 350°F for about an hour, and let the oven do the rest of the work while the flavors meld into a bubbling, smoky-sweet casserole.

Perfect for summer barbecues, tailgates, or Sunday family dinners, Gam Gam’s BBQ Baked Beans deliver serious comfort food flavor with minimal hands-on effort. Serve alongside pulled pork, brisket, or grilled chicken for a true Southern barbecue feast that’ll have everyone asking for the recipe.

Gam Gam’s BBQ Baked Beans

Servings 12

Ingredients
  

  • ½ lb ground beef
  • ½ lb kielbasa sliced
  • 1 cup onions chopped
  • ¾ lb bacon cut into ½” pieces (optional)
  • 1 30 oz can pork & beans
  • 1 15 oz can red kidney beans drained
  • 1 15 oz can butter beans drained
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1 Tbsp liquid smoke
  • 3 Tbsp white vinegar

Instructions
 

  • Start by browning the ground beef in a hot skillet. Be sure to develop at least some color.
  • Add onions, cook until translucent. Drain into colander, and wipe out pan.
  • Add kielbasa and bacon (if using) to the same pan, and cook until desired crispiness. Remove and drain.
  • Combine brown sugar, ketchup, liquid smoke, vinegar in a small bowl and mix well.
  • Combine all other ingredients into an oven safe baking dish. Mix well. Add in content from the small bowl and mix well to combine.
  • Bake, covered, at 350℉ for ~ 1 hour.
  • Enjoy warm as a BBQ side.
Course: Dinner
Region: North America

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About Beryl

I have been in the film and media industry for the past 12 years and have worked for companies including Great Big Story, ABC, CNN, Martha Stewart, News Corporation, Harper Collins and Fast Company.