Famous in Memphis as a side or appetizer, Beale Street Baked Beans are loaded with savory, peppery, sweet & spicy flavor that makes them the best baked beans you’ll likely ever eat.

Beale Street Baked Beans are hands down the best-baked beans I’ve ever eaten. They are savory, spicy and zesty~and they have no bacon at all.

This recipe is found in Heart & Soul, a Memphis, Tennessee, junior league cookbook that contains some of my favorite recipes.  Beale Street Baked Beans are a nod to the famous Beale Street in Memphis, where good food can be found at every turn.

In Memphis, these baked beans are often served a an appetizer with large corn chips (i.e. Fritos scoops). I’ve tried this, and oh my stars, it is DELICIOUS! It is like a savory spicy bean dip; men love it.

Below is a photo of one of our fave meals which includes this famous Beef Brisket You Won’t Believe, Vinegar Slaw for BBQ, and French Onion Potato Casserole. Every time I serve this meal, I get accolades from friends and family. Give these recipes a try; you’ll get kudos too!!!

Beef or turkey? I’ve used ground beef and turkey in this recipe, and the ground beef tastes much better (although turkey would obviously be healthier. To make the beef version, I just make sure I drain as much fat as possible before mixing the beans.

How to Prepare Beale Street Baked Beans

These beans can be prepped ahead in more than one way. 1). The beans can be fully prepped, poured into baking dish, and refrigerated a day ahead. Bake just before serving. 2). The beef or turkey can be fully browned (with the seasonings and onion) a day or two before making/serving the beans.

In the video below, I show how I am making the Beale Street Baked Beans using meat that was browned the day before. Because I am making the beans for a Sunday night small group, I decided to prep on Saturday (because Sundays are busy with church and small group). There is a blooper in the video, so be prepared LOL:-)

If you try these Beale Street Baked Beans, please leave your thoughts in the comments! I love hearing from readers. As always, thanks so much for stopping by. Have a joyful, blessed, and savvy day!!!

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Beale Street Baked Beans

Yield: 10-12 servings

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Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef (or turkey)
• 3/4 cup chopped onion (chopped frozen is fine)
• 1 tablespoon lemon-pepper seasoning
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 1/4 cups Ketchup
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon dry mustard (I've used yellow mustard also)
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 2 (16-oz) cans plain pork and beans in tomato sauce

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In skillet, brown ground beef and onion until meat begins to brown; sprinkle with lemon-pepper and garlic powder seasonings.
3. Continue browning until meat is completely cooked through. Drain fat; transfer meat to a bowl.
4. In small bowl, mix ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire, mustard and pepper until well combined.
5. Pour sauce over meat; mix well.
6. Stir in beans until well mixed.
7. Spread beans in casserole dish.
8. Bake, uncovered, 30 minutes or until bubbly.

Nutrition Information

Yield 12 Serving Size 1
Amount Per Serving Calories 247Total Fat 10gSaturated Fat 4gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 5gCholesterol 52mgSodium 669mgCarbohydrates 22gFiber 2gSugar 14gProtein 17g