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Root Beer Baked Beans

Root Beer Baked Beans are always the surprising hit at any barbecue or potluck! Three types of beans in a thick, sweet and tangy sauce!

A PERFECT BBQ SIDE DISH

Baked Beans are pretty much a staple side dish for a lot of our meals in the summer. I thought I’d play around with my usual recipe and add more of a variety of beans and flavors. This dish is super filling and you could even add cooked ground beef to this and make it a meal. These will be a huge hit at your next BBQ!

closeup overhead photo of Root Beer Baked Beans in a white and black speckled bowl.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Can you taste the root beer in this?

No. The root beer is just adding depth of flavor. It adds a slight sweetness to the background. It will be the ingredient that no one can quite put their finger on but will definitely taste the difference from just regular ole baked beans!

Do I have to use all the different beans?

Of course not. You can use your favorite style of beans here. I like the combination of flavors it adds but if you just want to go with one type of bean, then go right ahead! Just make sure you’re using about the same amount.

Could I use dried beans?

Yes. Just make sure you soak them overnight before continuing with the recipe. With dry beans, you need to sift through them as well just to get out any non-bean bits.

Can I make Root Beer Baked Beans in the crock pot?

Yes! Just put everything into a 6 quart slow cooker and stir well. Cook on low for about 3-4 hours. Keep in mind, they won’t get as thick in a crock pot as they would in an oven.

How do I store leftovers?

Allow the beans to cool completely then store in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. They can also be frozen. Store in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months.

overhead photo of a bowl of root beer baked beans with a spoon inserted into the beans and a bottle of root beer in the background.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)

  • onion
  • garlic
  • pinto beans
  • kidney beans
  • cannellini beans
  • root beer
  • apple cider vinegar
  • ketchup
  • brown sugar
  • dijon mustard
  • chili powder
  • kosher salt and black pepper
onion, garlic, pinto beans, kidney beans, cannellini beans, root beer, apple cider vinegar, ketchup, brown sugar, dijon mustard, chili powder, kosher salt and black pepper.

HOW TO MAKE ROOT BEER BAKED BEANS:

Preheat oven to 400f degrees. In a large dutch oven (or other oven-safe pot), heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook, stirring frequently, until just browned, about 6 minutes. Add garlic and cook for an additional minute.

diced yellow onions being cooked in a blue dutch oven.

Stir in all the beans

kidney beans, pinto beans and cannellini beans added to the large blue pot along with the onions.

Then add all the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil.

IBC bottled root beer being shown pouring into a large pot with beans in it.

Transfer the pot (uncovered) to oven and bake for about 45 minutes until liquid thickens. 

Stir before serving. Mixture will be thick.

a wooden spoon scooping up some baked beans out of a blue pot.

CRAVING MORE RECIPES?

Originally published: August 2017
Updated and republished: February 2023

Root Beer Baked Beans recipe.

Root Beer Baked Beans

Root Beer Baked Beans are always the surprising hit at any barbecue or potluck! Three types of beans in a thick, sweet and tangy sauce!
4.60 from 20 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 10

Ingredients

  • 1 Tablespoon oil
  • 1 cup diced onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 (15 ounce) cans pinto beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 (15 ounce) cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 (15 ounce) cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 (12 ounce) bottles root beer (like IBC Root Beer)
  • ½ cup apple cider vinegar
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 3 Tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons dijon mustard
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400F degrees.
  • In a large dutch oven (or other oven-safe pot), heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook, stirring frequently, until just browned, about 6 minutes. Add garlic and cook for an additional minute.
  • Stir in beans
  • Then stir in all the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil.
  • Transfer the pot (uncovered) to preheated oven and bake for about 45 minutes until liquid thickens.
  • Stir before serving. Mixture will be thick.

Notes

  • Cooked and crumbled ground beef can be added to the beans to make this a heartier side dish. 
  • Use any type of beans that you enjoy. 
  • If you don’t have an oven save pot, just transfer the beans into a baking dish and proceed with the baking directions. 
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Calories: 316kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 2g | Sodium: 961mg | Fiber: 13g | Sugar: 16g

Nutritional Disclaimer

“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

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Recipe Rating




18 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I was relentlessly teased when I offered to make these for a cookout last week. They patiently and lovingly explained that baked beans already come premade in a can. I got to work in their kitchen with this recipe. They had all the ingredients on hand. Substituted spiked root beer. Added chopped jalapeño and bacon. It seemed to have vanished almost instantly. The “helpful” explainer of beans kinds apologized for her comment.

  2. 5 stars
    Happy Anniversary ! 20years is a milestone. I made the beans yesterday and this recipe is a keeper ! I did use a crock pot and also added 4 slices of cooked chopped bacon, as hubs love bacon in his beans. Thank you so much for sharing,!, I love your site!

  3. 5 stars
    Thank goodness for good husbands who are willing to be thanked with yummy food. I love this idea and it would be perfect for our summer BBQs!

  4. I love what you said about your husband !i feel the same way about my husband!
    My husband is ex-military and he is my everything!
    He loves baked beans and I can wait to make this recipe for him. Thank you very much!