Root Beer Baked Beans

These beefy Root Beer Baked Beans are summer picnic ready. Filled with ground beef, onion, peppers and a blend of kickin’ seasonings that are smothered in a root beer barbecue sauce. It’s perfectly acceptable to adapt using your favorite brand of thick barbecue sauce for the most tasty result. Serve them as a main dish or a side, either way they’re sure to fill hungry tummies in no time flat.

Baked beans are usually considered a side dish. These hearty root beer baked beans are filling enough to be served as a main dish.  Ideally with a side of fresh from the oven buttered cornbread, of course.  In reality I most often serve barbecue baked beans as a potluck or picnic side dish and the “secret” ingredient is always a great conversation starter.  The root beer gives the base a pop of flavor but they’re not overly sweet.I love to prepare these beans in my cast iron skillet, but a 9 x 13-inch baking dish will work as well.  The root beer base isn’t overpowering in fact it gives just a tasty hint of flavor to the barbecue sauce.  It’s a fun twist on a classic dish and tends to spark conversation and that’s always a good thing.

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Helpful Kitchen Items: 

• Cast Iron Skillet
• Insulted Carrier
• Ceramic Soup Bowls
• Wooden Spoons Set

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Root Beer Baked Beans

Servings 12

Author Melissa Sperka

Ingredients

• 6 slices bacon
• 1 medium onion diced
• 1 small poblano or green bell pepper seeded and diced
• 2 clove garlic minced
• seasoned salt and black pepper
• 1 lb extra lean ground beef
• 2 [16] oz can baked beans
• 1 [16] oz can pinto beans drained
• 1 cup root beer
• 3/4 cup honey barbecue sauce
• 1 Tbsp Dijon or brown mustard
• 1 Tbsp dark chili powder
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• dash ground cinnamon
• 3 green onion sliced

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly oil a 12-inch cast iron skillet or spritz a 9 x 13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
2. In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium-high until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain. Discard all but 3 Tbsp drippings from the pan.
3. Add the diced onion and pepper to the pan. Season with seasoned salt and black pepper to your taste.
4. Cook for 2-3 minutes until beginning to brown then add the minced garlic. Cook for 1 minute.
5. Add the ground beef, and continue to cook until no pink remains. Drain any excess fat from the pan.
6. Mix the cooked beef with the remaining ingredients. Add half of the crumbled bacon reserving 1/2 for garnishing. Stir well.
7. Pour into the skillet and bake for 1 hour. After baking, stir well and rest for 5-10 minutes on the counter before serving to allow the sauce to thicken.
8. Garnish with chopped green onion and remaining bacon.

Recipe Notes

Want to add more heat? Use a jalapeno in place of the poblano pepper or add hot sauce in desired amounts to the sauce.