Copycat Famous Dave’s Baked Beans Recipe
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| Dig into sweet, smoky, bacon-loaded baked beans with that sticky barbecue sauce flavor everyone wants beside ribs, cornbread, and a backyard cookout plate. |
If you love sweet, smoky, meaty baked beans, this easy copycat Famous Dave’s baked beans recipe is about to become a favorite in your kitchen. These beans are rich, hearty, a little tangy, and packed with that backyard barbecue flavor so many people crave.
The best part? You do not need a smoker, a restaurant kitchen, or a long list of hard-to-find ingredients. You can make these homemade baked beans with simple grocery store staples and get that thick, glossy, barbecue-style side dish that tastes amazing next to ribs, pulled pork, burgers, or grilled chicken.
If you have ever gone back for a second scoop at a barbecue restaurant, you already know why this dish is so popular. Let’s make a version at home that is easy, budget-friendly, and full of flavor.
Why People Love Famous Dave’s Baked Beans
Famous Dave’s is known across the USA for bold barbecue flavors, big portions, and comfort food sides that can hold their own next to smoked meats. Their baked beans are one of those standout dishes people remember. They are not plain or one-note. They are savory, smoky, sweet, and slightly tangy, with a thick sauce that clings to every bite.
What makes this style of baked beans so iconic? It is the mix of textures and flavors. Tender beans soak up a sauce made with barbecue sauce, brown sugar, onion, and pork. Every spoonful tastes like a summer cookout. It is cozy and bold at the same time, kind of like your favorite hoodie paired with a plate of ribs.
This recipe is inspired by that restaurant side dish, but it is our own homemade copycat version. We are not claiming this is the original recipe or that we represent Famous Dave’s in any way.
What These Copycat Baked Beans Taste Like
These copycat barbecue baked beans are thick and saucy, with soft beans, crispy-edged bacon, and little bites of onion throughout. The flavor starts sweet, then you get smoke, salt, and a little zip from mustard and barbecue sauce. As they bake, the top gets darker and richer, and the sauce turns glossy and deep.
In other words, these are not watery beans. They are the kind you pile onto your plate and watch slowly settle next to coleslaw and cornbread.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses easy-to-find ingredients that work well in a home kitchen.
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 cans (28 ounces total) pork and beans
- 1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 ounces) great northern beans, drained and rinsed
- 3/4 cup barbecue sauce
- 1/3 cup ketchup
- 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Optional: 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper for a little heat
Serves: 8
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 45 to 55 minutes
Total time: About 1 hour 10 minutes
Helpful Ingredient Notes
If you want the closest barbecue restaurant flavor, use a sweet and smoky barbecue sauce. A honey barbecue sauce or brown sugar style sauce works especially well here.
Pork and beans are the base that give this dish that classic baked bean texture. The extra kidney beans and great northern beans make it heartier and give it that loaded barbecue side dish feel.
And yes, the bacon matters. It adds smoky depth and salty balance. If you have ever felt like homemade baked beans were missing something, bacon is often the answer.
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
- Large skillet
- Large mixing bowl or casserole dish
- 9x13-inch baking dish or 2-quart to 3-quart casserole dish
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Can opener
- Measuring cups and spoons
How to Make Copycat Famous Dave’s Baked Beans
Do not worry if you are new to cooking. This recipe is very forgiving. Just go step by step.
Step 1: Preheat the oven.
Set your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease your baking dish or casserole dish with cooking spray or a little oil.
Step 2: Cook the bacon.
Place the chopped bacon in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook until the bacon is browned and has some crisp edges, about 6 to 8 minutes. Stir now and then so it cooks evenly.
Food safety note: Pork should be cooked to a safe internal temperature of 145°F with a 3-minute rest, but for chopped bacon in recipes like this, you will usually cook it well past that point until fully browned and crisp.
Step 3: Cook the onion.
Once the bacon is cooked, use a spoon to remove all but about 1 tablespoon of bacon fat from the skillet. Add the diced onion and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, until soft and lightly golden. This step builds flavor, so do not rush it.
Step 4: Mix the sauce.
In a large bowl, combine the barbecue sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, black pepper, and optional garlic powder or cayenne. Stir until smooth.
Step 5: Add the beans.
Pour in the pork and beans, drained kidney beans, and drained great northern beans. Add the cooked bacon and onions. Gently stir everything together so the beans stay mostly whole.
Step 6: Transfer to your baking dish.
Pour the bean mixture into the prepared baking dish. Spread it into an even layer. At this point it may look a little loose, and that is okay. The sauce thickens as it bakes.
Step 7: Bake until hot and bubbly.
Bake uncovered for 45 to 55 minutes. You want the edges bubbling and the top slightly darkened. If you like thicker baked beans, let them go closer to 55 minutes.
Step 8: Rest before serving.
Remove the dish from the oven and let it sit for 10 minutes. This helps the sauce thicken up even more. Think of it like letting lasagna rest. A few minutes makes a big difference.
Step 9: Serve warm.
Spoon into bowls or serve as a side with barbecue favorites like brisket, burgers, hot dogs, grilled chicken, ribs, or pulled pork sandwiches.
Tips for the Best Homemade Baked Beans
- Use a good barbecue sauce. Since it is a key flavor, pick one you already enjoy.
- Do not skip the rest time. The sauce thickens a lot as it cools slightly.
- Want it sweeter? Add 1 to 2 more tablespoons brown sugar.
- Want it smokier? Add a few drops of liquid smoke or a little extra smoked paprika.
- Want more meat? Stir in cooked pulled pork or diced smoked sausage.
Easy Slow Cooker Option
If you need to save oven space, the crock-pot baked beans method works great.
- Cook the bacon and onion first on the stove.
- Mix everything in the slow cooker.
- Cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours.
- Leave the lid slightly cracked during the last 30 minutes if you want the sauce thicker.
This is a great option for potlucks, cookouts, game day, and holiday dinners.
Quick Time-Saving Version
Need an even easier version for busy weeknights? Here are a few shortcuts:
- Use pre-cooked bacon crumbles if you are in a rush.
- Use frozen diced onion to skip chopping.
- Mix everything right in an oven-safe casserole dish to save on cleanup.
- Make the recipe a day ahead and bake it just before serving.
Honestly, baked beans often taste even better the next day, after the flavors get more time to come together.
Allergy, Dietary, and Preference Swaps
This is where home cooking really shines. You can adjust the recipe to fit your table.
For gluten-free baked beans:
- Use a gluten-free barbecue sauce.
- Check that your Worcestershire sauce is gluten free, since some brands are not.
- Always read labels on canned beans and condiments.
For dairy-free:
- This recipe is usually dairy free as written, but still check your barbecue sauce and bacon brand to be safe.
For vegetarian baked beans:
- Skip the bacon.
- Sauté the onion in 1 tablespoon olive oil or vegan butter.
- Add 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke or extra smoked paprika for smoky flavor.
- You can also add diced sautéed mushrooms for a deeper savory taste.
For vegan baked beans:
- Follow the vegetarian swaps above.
- Make sure your sugar is vegan if that matters to you.
- Use a vegan Worcestershire-style sauce or replace it with a splash of soy sauce plus a tiny bit of vinegar.
For lower-sugar baked beans:
- Cut the brown sugar to 2 tablespoons.
- Use an unsweetened or lower-sugar barbecue sauce.
- Skip the ketchup and add a little tomato sauce plus vinegar instead.
For lower-sodium baked beans:
- Choose low-sodium canned beans if available.
- Rinse the extra beans very well.
- Use reduced-sodium bacon or leave it out.
- Pick a lower-sodium barbecue sauce.
For a spicy version:
- Add cayenne, chipotle powder, or diced jalapeños.
- A little hot sauce stirred into the sauce also works well.
For paleo-style inspiration:
- Traditional beans are not paleo, so this recipe is not a true paleo dish.
- If you need similar flavors, try a side made with roasted sweet potatoes, bacon, onion, and sugar-free barbecue sauce.
What to Serve with These Baked Beans
These barbecue baked beans go with almost any cookout or comfort food meal. Try them with:
- Baby back ribs
- Pulled pork sandwiches
- Smoked brisket
- Cheeseburgers
- Hot dogs
- Grilled chicken
- Cornbread
- Mac and cheese
- Coleslaw
- Potato salad
If you are building a full backyard barbecue plate, these beans are one of those sides that help tie everything together.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Let the beans cool, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To reheat:
- Microwave: Heat in 30-second bursts, stirring in between.
- Stovetop: Warm over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water if needed.
- Oven: Cover with foil and heat at 325°F until hot.
Food safety tip: Reheat leftovers to 165°F before serving.
You can also freeze baked beans for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Approximate Nutrition Per Serving
These numbers are estimates and can change based on the brands you use.
- Calories: 290
- Protein: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fat: 9g
- Fiber: 8g
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 690mg
Why This Copycat Recipe Works
A lot of baked bean recipes lean too sweet or too plain. This one hits a better balance. The pork and beans give you that classic base, the added beans make it hearty, and the bacon, barbecue sauce, mustard, and molasses build layers of flavor.
It tastes like something that cooked low and slow for hours, even though it is easy enough for a weeknight. That is always a win in my book.
Make It and Tell Me What You Think
If you try this copycat Famous Dave’s baked beans recipe, I would love to hear how it turned out for you. Did you keep it classic, make it spicy, or toss in extra meat? Did you serve it at a cookout, holiday meal, or weeknight dinner?
Please share your results in the comments and send this recipe to a friend who loves barbecue sides. And if you snapped a photo, even better. Homemade comfort food deserves to be shown off.
Disclaimer
This is a copycat recipe created from publicly available information and personal kitchen testing. It is inspired by the flavors of a popular restaurant dish, but it is not the original recipe, and no knowledge of the actual proprietary recipe is implied. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or representing Famous Dave’s.
Simply Copycat Recipes is also an Amazon affiliate. This means we may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases made through links, at no extra cost to you.
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