Best Ever Baked Beans with Smoked Sausage Recipe

The Best Ever Baked Beans with Smoked Sausage is hearty enough to be a complete meal or it can be served as a side dish. Everyone loves baked beans, but how can you upgrade them? You can add two different types of sausage to the beans to give them more flavor and turn these into a delicious, satisfying meal. This recipe combines the smoky richness of barbecue sauce with the hearty satisfaction of mixed beans and perfectly seasoned sausages for a dish that’s guaranteed to become a family favorite.

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Why This Recipe Works

This baked beans with smoked sausage recipe has a strong flavor influence from sweet and smoky elements. The combination of barbecue sauce, onions, mustard powder, and brown sugar creates the perfect balance of sweet and savory. A touch of liquid smoke takes this dish over the edge, while two types of sausage add incredible depth. The hot breakfast sausage provides spice and richness, while the smoked link sausage contributes that essential smoky flavor that makes these beans irresistible.

Ingredients

• Baked beans – Provide classic baked bean flavor and consistency
• Vegetable oil – Provides the cooking fat for sautéing vegetables and sausage
• White onion – Adds a sweet, aromatic base flavor that complements the beans
• Fresh garlic – Contributes savory depth and aromatic complexity
• Salt – Enhances all flavors and seasons the onions properly
• Hot breakfast sausage – Provides spicy heat and rich, meaty flavor
• Smoked link sausage – Adds essential smoky flavor and hearty texture
• Barbecue sauce – Creates the sweet, tangy base that defines baked beans
• Tomato sauce – Adds richness and helps bind all flavors together
• Brown sugar – Provides essential sweetness that balances the savory elements
• Mustard powder – Adds subtle tang and complexity to the flavor profile
• Kidney beans – Contribute hearty texture and protein to the dish
• Pinto beans – Add creamy texture and mild, nutty flavor

Step-by-Step Instructions

To Make the Best Ever Baked Beans:

1. Sauté aromatics: In a large pot, add vegetable oil and heat to medium. Add chopped white onion and sauté for about 1½ minutes. Sprinkle ¼ teaspoon salt on onions, then add garlic and sauté until onions are translucent.
2. Set aside vegetables: Remove onions and garlic from the pan and set aside.
3. Cook breakfast sausage: In the same pot, sauté breakfast sausage until no longer pink, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess grease.
4. Brown smoked sausage: Add smoked sausage and allow it to brown, sautéing for 2-3 minutes until nicely caramelized.
5. Combine ingredients: Add barbecue sauce, tomato sauce, brown sugar, and mustard powder to the pot. Stir to combine.
6. Add beans: Add all beans to the pot and mix thoroughly with the sausage and sauce mixture.
7. Simmer: Return sautéed onions and garlic to the pot. Simmer on low for about 45 minutes before serving, stirring occasionally.
8. Rest for best flavor: These beans taste even better the second day after flavors have had time to meld.

Chef’s Notes

The key to exceptional baked beans is building layers of flavor. Don’t skip browning the sausages as this creates fond that adds incredible depth. The beans will continue to absorb flavors as they cool and reheat, which is why they’re even better the next day.

Crockpot Instructions

Yes, you can easily make this in a slow cooker! After you sauté the onions and garlic, and cook the breakfast sausage on the stovetop, transfer everything to your crockpot. Add remaining ingredients and cook on low for about 4 hours. This method allows for even deeper flavor development and is perfect for busy days.

Storage & Reheating Instructions

• Refrigerator Storage: Store leftover beans in airtight containers for up to 4 days. The flavors continue to develop and improve over time.
• Reheating Method: Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally. Add water or broth if the mixture becomes too thick. Microwave individual portions for 1-2 minutes.
• Freezing: Freeze in portion-sized containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

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How to Cook Black Beans like a Boss
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Copycat Chili’s Black Beans
Durgin Park Baked Beans
Easy Barbeque Baked Beans