Not too long ago my family and I attended a block party where the menu was traditional hotdogs and hamburgers. Among the array of potato chips and brownies was also a very interesting baked beans dish. Although it was served as a side to the main course, this easily could be a meal in itself. I was curious and fascinated at the same time because I’d never seen baked beans quite like this. So I asked the person who’d prepared them how he made it, and then I tweaked it a bit and made it for dinner. You can double or triple this recipe to your heart’s content, but for my family of four I made it as follows.
Ultimate Baked Beans
1 lb ground turkey or chicken
1 tsp EVOO (not necessary if you’re using ground beef)
1 (20 oz) can Bush’s vegetarian baked beans
1 medium onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1 pkg (8 oz) sliced mushrooms
4 slices turkey bacon
1 T brown sugar
1 tsp ground mustard*
1/2 tsp white pepper
1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add EVOO, onions and ground meat. Begin to crumble the meat as it cooks and then add peppers and mushrooms. I would recommend chopping up the mushrooms. Cook until meat is browned, onions are translucent, and veggies are soft.
2. In another skillet cook the bacon and then allow a few minutes to cool before chopping.
3. In a large bowl combine beans, brown sugar, mustard, and white pepper. *You can use regular yellow mustard, or any type that you prefer. I just happen to love ground mustard.
4. Add the meat mixture and the bacon to the beans and combine well.
5. Bake, uncovered, at 350* for 1 hour.
Enjoy! You will be surprised how great this is 🙂
I have been wanting to make my own baked beans for a while, I am trying to stay away from canned food – I might just try your recipe! Thanks for sharing.
I have to admit that I wasn’t real happy about using canned baked beans. Of course, a homemade version is not so hard, just a little time consuming. The rest comes together easily 🙂
yeah, it is nice that you use the can but add to it, it helps make it a little healthier 🙂