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!
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.
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.
Stir in the Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, and black pepper, and cook for another 1-2 minutes to toast the spices.
Add the barbecue sauce, canned diced tomatoes (with their juices), brown sugar, and hot sauce to the skillet. Stir well to combine.
Pour in the water or vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a simmer.
Add the canned pinto beans and kidney beans, and gently stir to incorporate them into the sauce.
Allow the beans to simmer uncovered for 30-35 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and the flavors meld together.
Stir in the crumbled bacon just before serving. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional Cajun seasoning or hot sauce if desired.
Serve warm as a side dish or main course. Enjoy!
Calories |
2221 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 50.9 g | 65% | |
| Saturated Fat | 12.1 g | 60% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 8.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 56 mg | 18% | |
| Sodium | 9897 mg | 430% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 365.7 g | 133% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 80.9 g | 289% | |
| Total Sugars | 133.6 g | ||
| Protein | 94.7 g | 189% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 685 mg | 53% | |
| Iron | 30.2 mg | 168% | |
| Potassium | 6429 mg | 137% | |
*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.