Baked Beans with Ground Beef
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef)
(90% or 93% lean is best
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- 1 yellow onion
diced
- 2-3 cloves garlic
minced
- 1.5 teaspoons salt
- ½ - 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
or sweet paprika and a few drops of liquid smoke
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ⅔ cup ketchup
- ⅓ cup BBQ sauce
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- ½ cup apple juice
or water
- 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 14-oz cans kidney beans
drained but not rinsed), (dark red or light red kidney beans
- 2 14-oz cans pinto beans
drained but not rinsed
- Optional veggie add-ins: bell pepper and/or celery
finely diced
Directions
- 1
Preheat oven to 375F.
- 2
Heat a large casserole pan over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and ground beef. Cook over medium-high heat for 5-8 minutes or until the ground beef is cooked through, using a spatula to break up the ground beef and stir frequently. Drain most of the grease off (you can use tongs and a paper towel to absorb the excess grease).
- 3
Add the onion and minced garlic (if adding optional veggies, add them here too—see notes below), and sauté for 5 minutes, or until the onion starts to soften.
- 4
Add the smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Sauté for 2-3 minutes, stirring to combine all the seasonings.
- 5
Either transfer the ground beef mixture to your baking dish, or leave it in the pan if you're using a large oven-safe pan. Add the rest of the ingredients (apple cider vinegar through the beans). Stir well. REALLY well. Taste the mixture and adjust to taste with salt and/or sweetener, if needed.
- 6
Bake in a preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until the baked beans are heated through and bubbly. The longer you bake, the thicker the sauce will be. Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving.
Baked Beans with Ground Beef
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About this Recipe
Craving a hearty, satisfying dish that doubles as the perfect BBQ side or a comforting main meal? These Baked Beans with Ground Beef are exactly what you need, delivering rich, stewy flavors that will become an instant favorite.
This recipe isn't just about combining ingredients; it's about crafting a deep, complex flavor profile that resembles a saucy BBQ chili. The blend of sweet maple syrup and brown sugar with tangy apple cider vinegar and Dijon mustard creates a perfectly balanced sauce that clings to every bean and piece of savory ground beef. Smoked paprika adds an essential layer of smoky depth, making these beans truly irresistible.
Prepare for a wonderfully thick and stewy dish, where tender ground beef and two types of beans are bathed in a rich, deeply flavored sauce. You'll taste the satisfying sweetness of maple and brown sugar, a bright tang from apple cider vinegar and Dijon, and a warm, earthy spice from chili powder and smoked paprika. Each spoonful offers a comforting, savory-sweet experience that feels both familiar and special, making it a truly robust and fulfilling meal or an unforgettable side.
Feel free to personalize your pot of beans. If you don't have smoked paprika, you can use sweet paprika and add a few drops of liquid smoke for that essential smoky note. Instead of apple juice, water works perfectly fine. For an extra layer of texture and freshness, consider adding finely diced bell pepper and/or celery along with the onion. You can also experiment with different types of beans, though kidney beans and pinto beans provide the classic, hearty texture.
These Baked Beans with Ground Beef are incredibly versatile, shining brightly as a robust main dish alongside a simple salad or coleslaw. They also make an exceptional, flavor-packed side dish, pairing perfectly with grilled meats, BBQ platters, or potluck spreads.