Kansas City BBQ Baked Beans
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These Kansas City BBQ Baked Beans are a staple for any BBQ or family gathering. We have high standards for our BBQ and baked beans here in Kansas City, and these do not disappoint! They are full of flavor – just the right amount of sweet, savory, tangy, and a little smoky.
My mom got this recipe out of the paper at least 20 years ago and she’s been making it ever since. I may be biased, but these truly are the best baked beans! I’m busting out the family recipes and secrets here – run, don’t walk, to make these baked beans this weekend!
The secret to that iconic Kansas City BBQ flavor is one secret ingredient – molasses. I keep a jar of this around just for these beans (ok and gingerbread cookies at Christmas). I have forgotten to add this magic ingredient a time or two, and the difference is staggering! It adds so much flavor and sweetness that these beans are begging for. This recipe takes just couple minutes to throw together – use the Sloth Shortcuts to have these Kansas City BBQ baked beans any day of the week!
Kansas City BBQ Baked Beans
- Beans (canned pork and beans), drained
- Molasses – the secret ingredient!
- Brown Sugar
- BBQ sauce – use your favorite – ours is Sweet Baby Ray’s.
- Ketchup
- Mustard – any kind- yellow, brown, dijon
- Chili Powder
- Onion Flakes
- Garlic Powder
- Optional- any kind of cooked BBQ meats (pulled pork, brisket) or bacon
Mix everything up – I often mix it up IN THE PAN I’m baking it In (less dishes!) and bake. These baked beans are also very happy to be mixed up ahead of time and hang out in the fridge until you’re ready to bake them. Got leftovers? They also freeze well!
This is my go-to recipe to take to any kind of summer gathering. The recipe below makes about 8 servings, but I usually double (or triple!) it if I’m making it to take a to a BBQ… or at least I used to, before 2020 happened, ha! Maybe I will still triple it and just have leftovers…
A yummy optional take is to add some cooked BBQ meat (chopped brisket, pulled pork) or bacon to really take this to the next level. However, I rarely do this because it is delicious on its own!
Sloth Shortcuts
Sloth Shortcut #1: Keep some canned pork and beans and a jar of molasses around to throw together these Kansas City BBQ baked beans for a quick and delicious side for any BBQ.
Sloth Shortcut #2: Make extra and freeze in dinner-sized portions for a quick weeknight dinner with burgers, hot dogs, or grilled chicken.
Kansas City BBQ Baked Beans
Ingredients
- 2 16 oz cans of pork and beans drained
- 1/4 c molasses
- 3/4 c brown sugar
- 3/4 c BBQ sauce
- 1/4 c ketchup
- 1 T mustard
- 1 T onion flakes
- 1 T chili powder
- 1 t garlic powder
- Optional: chopped cooked bacon pulled pork, cooked brisket meat, etc.
Instructions
- Drain the beans and combine all ingredients in an 8×8 pan.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.