If television commercials are to be believed, a pot of baked beans is so magical it can make a dog talk. While we know that’s pretty unlikely (to say the least), we will agree that baked beans are delicious enough to make just about any summertime gathering that involves, say, a grill or a picnic even better.

A staple of cookouts ever since cowboys cooked them over campfires, baked beans are a must-have at summer barbecues. Nothing tastes better alongside grilled meats. Depending how much time you have, homemade baked beans can be as labor-intensive or as easy as you like. We love the traditional Boston baked beans that take hours to simmer down to melt-in-your-mouth goodness, but for a quicker fix, we’ve also got a recipe that takes only 20 minutes flat. We even have a recipe for those iconic cowboy beans we mentioned before (no open flame required … it’s up to you if you want to belt out “Home on the Range”).

So go ahead — try them all! Your family and guests are sure to love whichever baked bean recipe you choose. And if your dog happens to mention how good the beans are, we’ll never doubt the verity of commercials again!

Cowboy Beans

Smoked ham or salt pork give this savory bean dish great flavor. Serve it alongside grilled brats or hot dogs for an iconic “frank and beans” meal.

Boston Baked Beans

This classic recipe allows the beans plenty of slow cooking time to absorb the flavors of the other ingredients. Start cooking the beans first thing in the morning so they’re ready for an afternoon barbecue.

Go-Anywhere Baked Beans

Ground beef, bratwurst and bacon transform this recipe from a traditional side to a hearty main-dish casserole. As the name implies, this dish is a great addition to a potluck or party.

Saucepan Baked Beans

They take only 20 minutes, but these beans are just as flavorful as more time-intensive variations. You can grill them right alongside your main dish for an easy-to-manage outdoor cookout.

Kick-Off Caribbean Baked Beans

Rum and pineapple transform traditional baked beans into an exotic, island-inspired treat. If you don’t have dark rum handy, you can easily substitute rum extract with no loss of flavor.

Sherry Baked Beans with Chorizo

Who knew baked beans could be so elegant? The sophisticated flavors of sherry and Spanish chorizo are a delicious addition to baked beans in this earthy, filling dish.

Get baked! Explore all our baked bean recipes!

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Categories: Dinner Tonight | Tags: Baked Beans, Beans, Burgers, Grilling, Summer Picnics
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