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Tasty Loaded Baked Beans

Delicious Tasty Loaded Baked Beans recipe with step-by-step instructions.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 35 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 52 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 3200
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

For the meats
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 1/4 cups smoked pork sausage (Jimmy Dean style)
  • 3/4 lb bacon
For the base
  • 28 oz baked beans (Bush's Original)
  • 1 large yellow onion (diced into 1/4-inch pieces)
  • 1 large green bell pepper
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1/3 cup light brown sugar (packed firmly)
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp cracked black pepper
  • 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 1/2 tbsp BBQ seasoning
  • 1 tbsp yellow mustard
  • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar

Method
 

  1. Dice the yellow onion into 1/4-inch pieces, dice the green bell pepper, and cut the bacon into 1/2-inch pieces. Slice the smoked pork sausage into 1/4-inch rounds. Have all these prepped ingredients ready before you start cooking. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the bacon pieces until crispy, about 8-10 minutes, then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. In the same skillet with the bacon fat, brown the ground beef, breaking it apart as it cooks and seasoning it with salt, pepper, and garlic powder (about 8-10 minutes). Drain excess grease if needed, then set the cooked beef aside.
  2. Return the skillet to medium heat and add the sliced sausage, cooking for 3-4 minutes to render some of the fat and add flavor. Add the diced onion and bell pepper, sautéing for 5-6 minutes until they begin to soften and develop flavor. This aromatic base is crucial for building depth—I find that letting the onions caramelize slightly makes a huge difference in the final taste.
  3. Add the cooked ground beef and crispy bacon to the skillet with the sausage and vegetables. Pour in the baked beans (undrained), maple syrup, brown sugar, water, BBQ seasoning, mustard, and apple cider vinegar. Stir everything together thoroughly until well combined and the brown sugar begins to dissolve. The mixture should have a rich, saucy consistency with visible chunks of meat and vegetables.
  4. Transfer the bean mixture to a large baking dish (9x13 inches or similar). If using a smoker, cook at 225°F for 1 hour to develop deep smoky flavors, then increase heat to 350°F for 30-40 minutes, stirring halfway through. If using a standard oven, bake covered at 350°F for 30-40 minutes, stirring once about halfway through. The longer, lower cooking time allows the flavors to meld and intensify—I always stir the beans at the midpoint to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking on the bottom.
  5. Remove the beans from heat and give them a final stir. The mixture should be bubbly around the edges, deeply colored, and have a saucy, cohesive texture. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed with additional salt or BBQ seasoning. Serve warm directly from the dish or transfer to a serving bowl.