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

• 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.
• 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.
• Add the diced onion and pepper to the pan. Season with seasoned salt and black pepper to your taste.
• Cook for 2-3 minutes until beginning to brown then add the minced garlic. Cook for 1 minute.
• Add the ground beef, and continue to cook until no pink remains. Drain any excess fat from the pan.
• Mix the cooked beef with the remaining ingredients. Add half of the crumbled bacon reserving 1/2 for garnishing. Stir well.
• 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.
• Garnish with chopped green onion and remaining bacon.

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.

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