Best In The South Beans
A hearty Southern-style baked bean dish featuring ground beef, bacon, sausage, and a smoky, sweet sauce, perfect for family gatherings or comfort food favorites.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef ⓘ
- 1 lb chopped bacon ⓘ
- 1/2 lb sausage ⓘ
- ham (optional) ⓘ
- 1 onion, chopped ⓘ
- 1/2 cup catsup ⓘ
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 4 tablespoons molasses ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon chili powder ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon pepper ⓘ
- 1 can baked beans ⓘ
- 1 can pinto beans ⓘ
- 1 can Northern beans ⓘ
- 1 can pork and beans ⓘ
- 1/3 cup brown sugar ⓘ
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef in a skillet.
- Fry the bacon, sausage, and chopped onion until cooked.
- Drain off excess fat from the meat and bacon.
- Combine the cooked meats, onion, baked beans, pinto beans, Northern beans, pork and beans, ketchup, barbecue sauce, salt, molasses, chili powder, pepper, and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl.
- Stir well to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
- Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 1 hour.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding a splash of Worcestershire sauce or a dash of hot sauce to the mixture. If you're short on time, you can substitute the ground beef with pre-cooked shredded beef or use a mix of beans for variety. You can also experiment with different types of sausage for a unique twist. This recipe is perfect for potlucks or family gatherings.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Best In The South Beans hot, garnished with chopped green onions or shredded cheese for added flavor. This dish pairs beautifully with cornbread or a fresh garden salad for a complete meal. For a hearty option, consider serving alongside beef recipes like Beef Foldovers to satisfy larger appetites.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply place in a microwave-safe dish and heat on medium until warmed through, stirring occasionally. Alternatively, you can reheat in a skillet over low heat, adding a little water if needed to prevent sticking.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Best In The South Beans contains roughly 345 calories, with 15g protein, 44g carbohydrates, and 13g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (38% of the Daily Value), protein (30% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (28% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1152mg per serving (50% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different types of beans in this recipe?
Absolutely! Feel free to mix and match your favorite beans. You can use black beans, kidney beans, or even white beans for a different flavor profile. Just ensure that the total amount of beans remains similar to maintain the dish's consistency.
Is there a vegetarian version of this recipe?
Yes, you can easily make a vegetarian version by omitting the meat and using additional beans or lentils. Swap the bacon for smoked paprika and add some diced bell peppers for extra flavor. The other ingredients can remain the same for a delicious meat-free dish.
How can I make this dish spicier?
To add some heat, consider incorporating diced jalapeños or a splash of hot sauce into the bean mixture. You can also increase the amount of chili powder or add crushed red pepper flakes to suit your spice preference.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).