Four Bean Baked Beans
A hearty baked bean dish packed with smoky, savory flavors from bacon, ground beef, and a blend of beans, perfect for family gatherings or casual dinners.
Ingredients
- 2 (16 oz.) cans pork and beans ⓘ
- 1 (16 oz.) can kidney beans, drained ⓘ
- 1 (16 oz.) can butter beans, drained
- 1 (16 oz.) can navy beans, drained ⓘ
- 2 to 3 Tbsp. white vinegar
- 1/2 to 1 lb. ground beef ⓘ
- 1 c. chopped onion ⓘ
- 1 c. ketchup ⓘ
- 1/4 c. brown sugar ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. liquid smoke ⓘ
- 3/4 lb. bacon ⓘ
- salt and pepper ⓘ
Instructions
- Brown ground beef in a skillet and drain excess fat.
- Fry bacon until crisp and break into pieces.
- In a large crock-pot, combine the pork and beans, drained kidney beans, drained butter beans, drained navy beans, cooked ground beef, bacon pieces, chopped onion, ketchup, brown sugar, white vinegar, liquid smoke, salt, and pepper.
- Mix well to combine all ingredients.
- Cook on low setting for 6 to 8 hours without peeking or stirring.
Tips & Substitutions
For a smoky flavor, consider adding smoked paprika or adjusting the amount of liquid smoke to your taste. You can substitute turkey bacon for a lighter option or use vegetarian ground beef for a meat-free version. If you prefer a sweeter profile, increase the brown sugar slightly. This dish is versatile; feel free to add other beans or vegetables like bell peppers.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these hearty baked beans alongside grilled meats or as a filling side for summer barbecues. They pair beautifully with American recipes like cornbread or coleslaw. For a complete meal, consider adding a fresh salad or serving them on baked potatoes for a comforting twist.
Storage & Reheating
Leftover Four Bean Baked Beans can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, simply warm them in a pot over low heat, stirring occasionally, or microwave in short intervals until heated through. If they seem dry, add a splash of water or broth to help moisten them.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Four Bean Baked Beans contains roughly 1964 calories, with 61g protein, 279g carbohydrates, and 71g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (209% of the Daily Value), protein (123% of the Daily Value), and iron (115% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin C. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1657mg per serving (72% 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 dried beans instead of canned?
Yes, you can use dried beans! Just soak them overnight and cook them until tender before adding them to the crock-pot. Keep in mind that this may increase the overall cooking time, so plan accordingly to ensure they are fully cooked.
How can I make this dish vegetarian?
To make Four Bean Baked Beans vegetarian, replace the ground beef with a plant-based meat substitute or omit it entirely. Use vegetable broth instead of any meat-based broth and ensure the bacon is replaced with a vegetarian alternative or simply leave it out for a lighter version.
What can I serve with Four Bean Baked Beans?
Four Bean Baked Beans are great on their own but are delicious served with grilled meats, cornbread, or a fresh garden salad. They also make a hearty filling for baked potatoes or can be served as part of a BBQ spread with coleslaw and potato salad for a complete meal.
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).