Bourbon Bacon Grilled Baked Beans are smoky, brown sugar–sweetened, tender beans packed with crispy bacon, caramelized onions and a touch of bourbon. This elevated, semi-homemade barbecue favorite comes together quickly and simmers on the grill to a thick, bubbling, flavor-packed finish.
Yes — these Bourbon Bacon Baked Beans are made on the barbecue grill. It’s one of those simple discoveries that elevates a familiar side dish: the grill adds a subtle smoky depth and lets the sauce reduce gently while you tend to the rest of the meal.
Summer on the patio means cold drinks, the sizzle of the grill, the smell of caramelizing onions and bacon, music and family hanging out. When I can make the whole meal on the grill, I do. These beans are the perfect companion to grilled chicken, kabobs, veggies or a crisp berry dessert.
Classic grilled companions I love to serve alongside these beans include Sticky Asian Chicken Thighs, Grilled Asparagus, Teriyaki Chicken Kabobs and a Grilled Triple Berry Crisp — all easy crowd-pleasers for patio nights.
Baked beans have a long culinary history, with early preparations often simmered slowly with molasses and salt pork. Those traditional flavors — sweet, savory and smoky — are exactly what make a great pot of beans. This recipe captures those elements while keeping the process short and approachable.
If you want classic, slow-baked beans from scratch, go for it. But when you need a dependable, flavorful side for a weeknight barbecue, this semi-homemade version delivers big on taste with minimal fuss.
How to make Bourbon Bacon Grilled Baked Beans
This recipe starts with a can of prepared baked beans as the base. I often use Bush’s, but any quality canned baked beans will work.
In a 9- or 10-inch cast iron skillet, cook the bacon and diced onion over direct heat until the bacon crisps and the onion begins to caramelize. Deglaze with bourbon, then stir in brown sugar, barbecue sauce, mustard, Worcestershire and seasonings.
Move the skillet to indirect heat, close the grill lid and simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beans are thick, glossy and bubbling. The result is a rich, slightly sweet, smoky side that pairs perfectly with grilled mains.
More grilled favorites to try:
- Grilled Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Kabobs
- Easy Grilled Parmesan Asparagus
- Grilled Asian Chicken Kabobs
- Grilled Street Corn Salad
- Grilled Goat Cheese Bruschetta
- Grilled Sweet Chipotle Pork Tenderloin with Cilantro Lime Chimichurri
If you try these Bourbon Bacon Grilled Baked Beans, please leave a rating and a comment to let me know how they turned out — I love hearing from readers. Share a photo on social media and tag your creation with #SAVORWITHJENNIFER so I can see your version.
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Bourbon Bacon Grilled Baked Beans
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound bacon, cut into 1/2″ strips
- 1 cup onion, diced
- 16.5 ounce can baked beans, any brand or flavor
- 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
- 1/4 cup bourbon
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons prepared mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder (chipotle or ancho preferred)
- 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 1/2 – 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
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Preheat the grill to medium-low to medium (about 300–350°F).
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In a 9- or 10-inch cast iron skillet, add the bacon and diced onion.
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Cook over direct heat until the bacon begins to crisp and the onion browns and caramelizes.
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Move the skillet off the flame and stir in the can of baked beans and the remaining ingredients until well combined.
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Place the skillet on indirect heat, close the grill lid and let the beans simmer (not over direct flame).
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Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 30 minutes until the beans are bubbly and have thickened to your liking.
Notes
A 9×9 or 10×10 metal baking pan or a large saucepan may be used instead of a cast iron skillet.
Stovetop/Oven Directions:
Crisp the bacon and brown the onion on the stovetop over medium heat. Add the beans and remaining ingredients, then transfer to a preheated 350°F oven for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally until bubbly and thickened.