Baked Beans with Ground Beef

This Baked Beans with Ground Beef recipe is a fantastic choice for a satisfying weeknight meal. Combining the richness of ground beef with the sweet and tangy flavors of ketchup, honey, and molasses, this dish is both hearty and flavorful as well as perfect for people with Chronic Kidney Disease and needing a low sodium diet. The entire recipe simmers to perfection in a crockpot, making it convenient for busy evenings. Plus, with ingredients like apple cider vinegar and chili powder, it offers a unique twist on traditional baked beans, perfect for any family dinner.

Close-Up Of Baked-Beans with Ground Beef.

This Baked Beans with Ground Beef recipe is ideal for those busy weeknights when you crave a hearty and flavorful dinner. The combination of ground beef and a sweet-savory mix of ketchup, honey, and brown sugar creates a satisfying dish that everyone will love.

This Baked Beans with Ground Beef is a part of our Healthy Picnic Recipes for July Also included with this recipe is Cornbread Taco Bake, Blueberry Coffee Cake, and Spicy Cucumber Salad.

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Ingredients

Follow these easy steps to create a delicious and hearty Baked Beans with Ground Beef dish that’s perfect for any dinner table.

Close-Up Of Baked-Beans with Ground Beef ingredients
  • Low sodium ketchup - Add for a tangy base.
  • Honey - Use to bring in natural sweetness.
  • Brown sugar - Mix in for a deeper flavor.
  • Molasses - Incorporate for a rich, earthy taste.
  • Black pepper - Sprinkle for a slight kick.
  • Chili powder - Add for a hint of spice.
  • Dried mustard powder - Use for a subtle tang.
  • Hamburger - Brown for a hearty component.
  • Onion, diced - Dice for added texture and flavor.
  • Apple cider vinegar - Stir in for a tangy finish.

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create a mouthwatering Southern Baked Beans with Ground Beef that’s perfect for any occasion.

step 1 of Baked-Beans with Ground Beef.

1. Soak the navy beans in a pot full of water overnight. Turn on crockpot to low/ 8 hours.

step 2 of Baked-Beans with Ground Beef.

2. Stir ketchup, maple syrup, brown sugar, molasses, pepper, mustard and chili powder together in a small bowl and add to crockpot.

step 3 of Baked-Beans with Ground Beef.

3. Cook hamburger on stovetop in a pan until no longer pink, and drain fat.

step 5 of Baked-Beans with Ground Beef.

5. Add the ketchup, maple syrup, brown sugar, molasses, pepper, mustard and chili powder mixture to crockpot.

step 4 of Baked-Beans with Ground Beef.

4. Drain and add beans and 4 cups of water to a crockpot. Remember that these are dry beans so they will take a minute to cook.

step 6 of Baked-Beans with Ground Beef.

6. Stir in chopped onion, hamburger, and apple cider vinegar to the crockpot. Stir together until well mixed/blended. Cover and cook for 8 hours.

Hint: For extra flavor, feel free to play around with the seasonings to see what works best for you!

perfectly done of Baked-Beans with Ground Beef.

Substitutions

Looking to customize your Baked Beans with Ground Beef? Here are some creative substitution ideas to suit your taste or dietary preferences:

  1. Turkey or Chicken - Swap the ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
  2. Maple Syrup - Use maple syrup instead of honey for a different sweet flavor.
  3. White Onion - Replace the diced onion with white onion for a milder taste.

Variations

Want to put your own spin on the classic Baked Beans with Ground Beef? Here are three delicious variations to try:

  • Spicy Kick - Add extra chili powder or diced jalapeños for more heat.
  • Vegetarian - Omit the ground beef and add extra beans and chopped vegetables like bell peppers and tomatoes.
  • Smoky Flavor - Incorporate smoked paprika or a dash of liquid smoke for a rich, smoky taste.

Of course, these are just three ideas for you! You can play with the ingredients to this Homemade Baked Beans with hamburger however you'd like!

Storage

  • Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop before serving.
  • Freezer: Place the cooled baked beans in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
  • Individual Portions: Divide the dish into single-serving containers and store in the refrigerator or freezer for convenient, ready-to-eat meals.

Top tip

For a richer flavor, try browning the onions along with the ground beef before adding them to the crockpot. This caramelizes the onions and adds an extra layer of depth to the dish.

bowl of Baked-Beans with Ground Beef.

FAQs for Baked Beans With Ground Beef in Oven

Can I use canned beans instead of soaking dried beans overnight? 

Yes, you can use canned beans. Simply drain and rinse them, then add them directly to the crockpot. Adjust the cooking time to about 4-5 hours on low.

How can I make this recipe gluten-free?

To make this recipe gluten-free, ensure that all your ingredients, especially the ketchup and mustard powder, are certified gluten-free. Most of the other ingredients are naturally gluten-free.

bowl of Baked-Beans with Ground Beef.

Kidney Friendly Salads to Pair

Looking for other salads to go along with your homemade baked beans from scratch? Try these:

Other Kidney Friendly Appetizers

These are my favorite dishes to serve with Easy Baked Beans with Ground Beef:

If you tried this Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a star rating and let me know how it goes in the comments below. I love hearing from you!

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Baked Beans with Ground Beef

Close Up Of Baked Beans with Ground Beef

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4 from 2 reviews

This Baked Beans with Ground Beef recipe is a hearty, flavorful dish perfect for weeknight dinners. Featuring a sweet and tangy sauce, ground beef, and navy beans, it's an easy crockpot meal that the whole family will love.

  • Author: Mathea Ford, MBA, RDN, LD
  • Prep Time: 10
  • Cook Time: 15
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 12 Servings 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Low Salt

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup navy beans, soaked overnight and drained
  • 4 cups water
  • ½ cup low sodium ketchup
  • ¼ cup honey
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp molasses
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp dried mustard powder
  • 8 ounces hamburger
  • 1 cup onion, diced
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

Instructions

  1. Soak the navy beans in a pot full of water overnight. Then drain and add beans and 4 cups of water to a crockpot.
  2. Turn on crockpot to low/ 8 hours. Stir ketchup, maple syrup, brown sugar, molasses, pepper, mustard and chili powder together in a small bowl and add to crockpot.
  3. Cook hamburger on stovetop in a pan until no longer pink, and drain fat.
  4. Stir in chopped onion, hamburger, and apple cider vinegar to the crockpot. Stir together until well mixed/blended.
  5. Cover and cook for 8 hours. Stir well before serving.

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3 Comments

  1. Mathea Ford, MBA, RDN, LD says:

    I loved the ease of making this recipe and I hope you love making it for your family.






  2. Vicki Hanes says:

    I made this but the amount it produced was about 5 cups with lots of juice. Dividing it by 12 servings is approximately 1/3 cup. Lots of flavor but tiny serving. Am I figuring it wrong?






  3. suzanne sherman says:

    is a serving 1/2 cup cooked? should I eat less then recommended with only one kidney? (stage 3b)