Cajun Barbecue Beans

Bring a taste of the South to your table with these irresistibly smoky and flavor-packed Cajun Barbecue Beans! This hearty recipe combines tender pinto and kidney beans with crispy bacon, caramelized onions, and a bold, tangy-sweet barbecue sauce infused with Cajun spices, smoked paprika, and a kick of hot sauce. Perfect as a side dish for your next backyard barbecue or a comforting main course, these beans simmer to perfection, allowing the spices to blend beautifully with the rich tomato base and savory bacon. Ready in just an hour, this one-pot wonder effortlessly balances spice, sweetness, and smokiness. Serve warm and watch these Cajun Barbecue Beans steal the spotlight!

Nutriscore Rating: 79/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 3 cups canned pinto beans
• 2 cups canned kidney beans
• 6 slices bacon
• 1 medium, diced yellow onion
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 1 medium, diced green bell pepper
• 1 cup barbecue sauce
• 1 14-ounce can canned diced tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup water or vegetable broth

Directions

Step 1

In a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook the bacon slices over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon and place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Once cooled, crumble the bacon and set aside.

Step 2

In the same skillet, leaving about 1 tablespoon of bacon grease, add the olive oil. Heat it over medium heat and sauté the diced onion, minced garlic, and diced green bell pepper until they become soft and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 3

Stir in the Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, and black pepper, and cook for another 1-2 minutes to toast the spices.

Step 4

Add the barbecue sauce, canned diced tomatoes (with their juices), brown sugar, and hot sauce to the skillet. Stir well to combine.

Step 5

Pour in the water or vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a simmer.

Step 6

Add the canned pinto beans and kidney beans, and gently stir to incorporate them into the sauce.

Step 7

Allow the beans to simmer uncovered for 30-35 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and the flavors meld together.

Step 8

Stir in the crumbled bacon just before serving. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional Cajun seasoning or hot sauce if desired.

Step 9

Serve warm as a side dish or main course. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2467.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2221.2

Total Fat 50.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 12.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 8.0g
Cholesterol 55.5mg	0%
Sodium 9896.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 365.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 80.9g	0%
Total Sugars 133.6g
Protein 94.7g	0%

Vitamin D 7.7IU	0%
Calcium 685.1mg	0%
Iron 30.2mg	0%
Potassium 6428.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 19.9%

Protein: 16.5%

Carbs: 63.6%