Name: Best and Easiest Southwest Baked Beans Recipe: Slow Cooker, Stovetop, or Oven!
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 4 h
Total time: 4 h 15 min
Yield: 12
Ingredients: 1 28-ounce can Bush's Baked Beans Original; 1 28-ounce can Bush's Baked Beans Homestyle; 1 28-ounce can Bush's Baked Beans Country Style; 1 24-ounce jar Pace Chunky Salsa, we like medium for a bit of a kick; 1 pound ground meat, browned and drained; 3 tablespoons applesauce

This easy southwest baked bean recipe has a classic flavor with a hint of spice from salsa when you are craving something sweet and smoky!

Perfect for busy cooks! Just toss everything in the slow cooker and let it work its magic. But whether you use a slow cooker, make it on your stovetop, or in the oven, we know your family will love this recipe!

Table Of Contents

1 Variations

2 Tips and Tricks

3 FAQs

4 Supplies Needed for Our Baked Beans

5 Making Our Southwest Baked Beans Recipe

5.1 Ingredients

5.2 Instructions for our Baked Bean Recipe

6 Best and Easiest Southwest Baked Beans Recipe: Slow Cooker, Stovetop, or Oven!

6.1 Ingredients

6.2 Instructions

6.3 Notes

6.4 Variations

6.5 Tips and Tricks

Variations

To make it vegetarian, omit the ground meat and use all beans for a vegetarian version.
Spice it up by adding chili powder, cayenne pepper, or your favorite hot sauce.
Add BBQ sauce to add a smoky flavor.
Stir in cooked sausage, shredded chicken, strips of bacon, or chopped hot dogs.

Tips and Tricks

This is a great make-ahead-dish! Prepare it the night before, store in the refrigerator, and reheat gently.
Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freeze individual portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Baked beans freeze beautifully!

3 bowls of baked beans sitting on blue plates and a striped napkin on a white countertop

FAQs

Can I use dried beans?
I would probably use a different recipe since these will not have things like tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, maple syrup, garlic powder, dry mustard, or barbecue sauce and will lack flavor.
How many cups of cooked beans does 1 cup of dry beans make?
One cup dry = three cups cooked, drained beans. You can soak the dry beans overnight in a large bowl of water with a pinch of baking soda.
What’s the best way to reheat leftover baked beans?
Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. You may need to add a splash of water if the sauce of the baked beans is too thick.

Supplies Needed for Our Baked Beans

Large skillet or pot
Slow cooker (crock pot)
Wooden spoon or spatula

3 bowls of baked beans sitting on blue plates and a striped napkin on a white countertop, with a soda, lemon wedge, and a salt and pepper holder

Making Our Southwest Baked Beans Recipe

Ingredients

1 28-ounce can Bush’s Baked Beans Original
1 28-ounce can Bush’s Baked Beans Homestyle
1 28-ounce can Bush’s Baked Beans Country Style
1 24-ounce jar Pace Chunky Salsa, we like medium for a bit of a kick
1 pound ground meat, browned and drained
3 tablespoons applesauce

browned hamburger meat in a hexclad frying pan, a jar of pace chunky salsa, three cans of bush's best baked beans, and a small bowl of applesauce

Instructions for our Baked Bean Recipe

1. Brown the meat: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground meat. Drain off excess fat.

hamburger being put into a white crock pot

2. Combine: In your slow cooker, combine the browned meat, beans, salsa, and apple sauce.

adding bush's best baked beans into a crock pot

adding a jar of salsa into the slow cooker

3. Cook:

Slow Cooker: Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F. Transfer the mixture to an oven-safe dish, cover, and bake for 45-60 minutes.
Stovetop: Simmer the mixture over low heat for 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally.

heart shaped wooden spoon with baked beans and hamburger over a crock pot of southwest baked beans

This versatile baked beans recipe is sure to become a family favorite. It’s packed with flavor, incredibly easy, and perfect for potlucks, picnics, and busy weeknights. Let me know what you think in the comments below!

To see more of our amazing side dishes that you can serve for lunch or dinner, see Air Fryer Twice Baked Potatoes, Niçoise Salad, Cheesy Bacon Ranch Potatoes – The Ultimate Side Dish the Whole Family Will Love.

Best and Easiest Southwest Baked Beans Recipe: Slow Cooker, Stovetop, or Oven!

Yield: 12 seervings

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours

Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes

Craving something sweet and smoky? This easy southwest baked bean recipe has a classic flavor with a touch of spice from chunky salsa. Perfect for busy cooks! Just toss everything in the slow cooker and let it work its magic. The perfect side for all of your meals, especially those summer parties, BBQs and potluck gatherings! Best of all, this is a recipe for all skill levels that comes together easily and is also an affordable and delicious addition to any of your meal and/or party planning!

Ingredients

1 28-ounce can Bush's Baked Beans Original
1 28-ounce can Bush's Baked Beans Homestyle
1 28-ounce can Bush's Baked Beans Country Style
1 24-ounce jar Pace Chunky Salsa, we like medium for a bit of a kick
1 pound ground meat, browned and drained
3 tablespoons applesauce

Instructions

1. Brown the meat: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground meat. Drain off excess fat.

2. Combine: In your slow cooker, combine the browned meat, beans, salsa, and apple sauce.

3. Cook:

Slow Cooker: Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F. Transfer the mixture to an oven-safe dish, cover, and bake for 45-60 minutes.
Stovetop: Simmer the mixture over low heat for 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally.