Sweet and Savory Southwest Beans

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Sweet and Savory Southwest Beans are the perfect side dish for BBQs and family dinners. Loaded with bold spices, smoky flavor, and just the right hint of sweetness, they pair perfectly with ribs, brisket, or burgers.

Are Southwest Beans the Same as Baked Beans?

These beans are similar to a traditional baked beans dish, but they’re elevated–both in texture and taste. The best part about this recipe is you won’t need to heat up your oven. That’s especially good on a hot day in the Texas heat.

Traditional baked beans start with simple canned pork and beans. You add onion, bacon, brown sugar, and usually a little ketchup or mustard.

Lots of times people put the bacon across the top to decorate the beans.

Southwest Beans are Set Apart

What makes my recipe so special is that it starts with five different kinds of beans. Yep, you read that right. Five kinds: light red kidney beans, dark red kidney beans, pinto beans, Ranch Style Beans, and canned baked beans.

That’s a lot of beans.

Instead of bacon, this recipe calls for Jimmy Dean sausage and onion. And it’s not baked in a casserole dish. I make my Southwest Beans on the stovetop and they come together perfectly every time. This is a very forgiving recipe.

By the way, I got the recipe from a family member who always brings this dish to family get-togethers. It’s always a big hit.

Little kids, teens, and adults. . .everyone seems to love these beans.

At a Glance
• Main Ingredients: Five bean mix, sausage, brown sugar, barbecue sauce, yellow onion
• Prep & Cook Time: Approximately 10-15 minutes active simmer time after browning
• Flavor Profile: Sweet, smoky, rich texture, with contrasts from soft and firm beans
• Best Served With: Barbecue meats, game day spread, or any cookout gathering

Southwest Beans Ingredients

You will find a full printable recipe card at the bottom of this post but here’s a quick look at what you’ll need. These are simple ingredients you can find at any grocery store.

You will find a full printable recipe card at the bottom of this post but here’s a quick peek at what you’ll need. These are simple ingredients you might already have in your pantry and refrigerator.

• Jimmy Dean sausage
• chopped yellow onion
• brown sugar
• barbecue sauce (sweet or spicy, your choice)
• Canned Light red kidney beans, drained
• Canned Dark red kidney beans, drained
• Canned Pinto beans, drained
• Canned Ranch style beans, with sauce
• Canned Bush’s baked beans, with sauce
• tablespoon vegetable oil

How to Make Sweet and Savory Southwest Beans

These come together so easily. And like I said above, they’re hard to mess up!

Chop onions and set aside.

Place tube of meat in a large saucepan with vegetable oil. Chop up. (I use a Pampered Chef meat chopper.)

Add the onions.

Cook ground sausage and onion together over medium heat, stirring frequently.

After it browns, drain and set aside. 

Drain and rinse the kidney beans and pinto beans. 

Dump the drained beans into the saucepan with the meat and onions.

Add the canned beans, (including sauce/juice).

Stir well.

Stir in the brown sugar and barbecue sauce. 

Stir well. Bring to a simmer and lower heat. 

Cook until all of the flavors merge together, stirring frequently so they don’t stick. (I usually cook mine for about 10 – 15 minutes.)

Serve and enjoy! We ate ours with our Delicious Butter Burgers and Cheesy Potatoes with Bacon. (It was an amazing meal.)

Alternatively, you can place bean mixture, spices, and cooked sausage and onions in a 9×13-inch casserole dish and bake at 350 until bubbly. (Probably about 30 minutes or so.) They could even be cooked on the grill in a heat-safe casserole dish or cast iron pot.

Store leftovers in refrigerator in an airtight container or covered in plastic wrap. They will stay good for 4 – 5 days. You can freeze them up to two months.

What to Expect from this Dish

These beans are loaded with texture and flavor. The brown sugar adds a layer of sweetness that balances well with the spice in the barbecue sauce.

I loved the crisp bite of the kidney beans. They were the perfect complement to the baked beans, which were softer. The combination of beans is what sets this dish apart.

The sausage was perfect in this dish. So were the onions. All in all, I’d say we have a real winner here.

Looking for food pairing ideas? These beans would be perfect with (literally) any barbecue dish–from our Reverse Seared Steaks to our Drunken Chicken to our St. Louis Ribs, to our Breakfast Fatty (which is great for lunch or dinner, not just breakfast).

You could serve these beans at a BBQ, on game day, or even as a main course for a family dinner. They’re that kind of good. (Trust me when I say I ate enough of them to call it a complete meal!)

No matter what you serve them with, these beans are going to be a big hit because they’re a tasty side dish filled with flavor!

Make it Your Own

There are so many ways you could make this dish your own. Here are a few suggestions:

Bacon in place of Sausage. This is an easy swap. Just add a pound of cooked (chopped) bacon in place of the Jimmy Dean sausage.

Baked instead of cooked on the stove. As I mentioned above, this is a fun way to change up this dish. Cook it in the oven or on the grill.

Maple sausage in place of regular. Since this dish has a sweet side you can easily swap out maple sausage for the regular. (You could even go spicy, if you like!)

Bell pepper: Add diced bell pepper to this dish to add more spice to the dish.

Ground beef in place of sausage. No sausage? No problem! Just use a pound of ground beef in its place! You probably won’t even notice the difference. This would also make an easy chicken dish if you want to use ground chicken (or turkey).

Make them in the Instant Pot or Slow Cooker: Your method of cooking can change. These could also be made in a cast iron skillet (a deep one) on the grill.

Garlic powder: You can always add a teaspoon or two, or add minced garlic.

Southwestern Black Beans: You could make black beans using this recipe. (Or add a can of black beans to this recipe, along with the others.)

Chili Beans: Wanting traditional spicy beans? Add one teaspoon chili powder to the mix to spice things up and give these the best southwestern flavors. Black pepper is good, too. You could also add a bit of salsa or tabasco if you’re really feeling brave.

Go Spanish! Cut back on the sweetness. Add more spice, as well as lime juice, fresh cilantro, and a dollop of sour cream. Serve with tortilla chips. (Sounds great!) You could even turn this into a burrito bowl (or a traditional burrito). We love our Mexican food and this would be a great option.

Healthy Eating: If you’re trying to eat clean, cut the sugar and add honey or maple syrup. You can also swap out the sausage with ground turkey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use dry beans instead of canned?

You can, but it takes considerably more time. Cook your dry beans in water until they’re almost (but not quite) tender, then proceed with the recipe as written. Keep in mind that Ranch Style beans and Bush’s baked beans both bring a lot of built-in seasoning and sweetness in their sauce, so if you’re swapping those out with plain cooked beans, you’ll want to adjust your spices to compensate.

What else can I add for more savory flavor?

Diced peppers are a great addition — green, red, or even jalapeño if you want a kick. Fresh or canned tomatoes will push it in a more chili-like direction. A clove or two of minced garlic really amps up the depth of flavor, and a dash of Worcestershire sauce wouldn’t hurt either!

Can I use white beans in this recipe?

It’s not our first recommendation — white beans tend to be softer in texture, which can get lost among all the other beans. But if white beans are what you have, go for it! The flavor will still be great.

Can I swap out the Jimmy Dean sausage for something else?

Absolutely. Bacon (cooked and chopped) is a delicious swap, and maple sausage plays up the sweet side of the dish beautifully. Ground beef or ground turkey both work well too. If you want to go spicy, try a hot Italian sausage — it takes things in a whole different direction.

Can I make this in a slow cooker or Instant Pot?

Yes! Brown your sausage and onion on the stovetop first, then transfer everything to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 4–6 hours or high for 2–3 hours. For the Instant Pot, use the sauté function for the meat, then add everything else and use the slow cook setting, or just pressure cook for about 5 minutes with a natural release.

Can these be cooked on the grill?

They sure can! Transfer everything to a deep cast iron pot or a heat-safe casserole dish and cook on the grill with the lid closed over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until everything is bubbling and the flavors have melded — about 20–30 minutes.

How do I store and reheat leftovers?

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4–5 days. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally, or microwave in 60-second intervals. These also freeze beautifully for up to 2 months — great for meal prep!

How many people does this recipe serve?

This recipe yields about 12 servings, making it perfect for cookouts, game day spreads, or potlucks. It’s easy to double if you’re feeding a crowd!

Thanks for Stopping By!

That’s it for this post, friends! We hope you enjoy the sweet and spicy southwest flavors in these beans! This is a brand-new recipe and we happen to love it!

Wondering what to make for dessert? Try out these Pecan Toffee Cookies with Salted Caramel from Out of the Box Baking! (They’re delicious and perfect with a grilled meal.)

About the Man Behind the Grill

Zach Morrow was born and raised in Texas and has always had a passion for great barbecue. He’s at home behind the grill and loves to feed his friends and family home-cooked favorites as often as he can. He especially loves trying new things and is excited to produce recipes like this one for Backyard Texas Grill.