Annie’s Potluck Beans

Annie’s Potluck Beans are a hearty, savory crowd-pleasing side dish.

There’s a heaping helping of meat in these beans; a pound each of ground beef and bacon. So you could practically call it a hot dish instead of a side dish. But either way, they’re just plain tasty. Other than sauteing the bacon and burger with some onion, it’s simply a matter of opening a few cans and adding the 3 ingredients for the sauce. Whether you’re firing up the grill or need an easy-to-prepare dish to share, you can’t go wrong with Annie’s Potluck Beans.

The Back Story

My sweet, low-key hubby rarely has a request when I’m making out the grocery list. But I still ask, just in case he’s hankering for something. Well, this time, he asked for the bean dish my sister Annie frequently brings to our family picnics and potlucks. Truth be told, I have no idea what the origin of this recipe is other than my sister makes them. So if you are the chef extraordinaire that gave birth to this recipe, my apology for not citing your name.

Tips for Annie’s Potluck Beans

We like our beans on the saucy side. So I added some additional ingredients when I was freezing the leftovers. I added a little extra water, ketchup, and a splash of Spicy V8 (that last one was the hubby’s idea.)

But beans are in the category of what I call “It Ain’t Rocket Science.” So go nuts if you want on the initial batch or when reheating them. In addition to what I added, you can pour in some BBQ or steak sauce or whatever your taste buds fancy.

This is one of those side dishes that tastes even better when made in advance. Feel free to make them a few hours or the day ahead. That gives the flavors extra time to meld.

If you look closely, you’ll see I cut my Butter Beans in half. I was unable to find the Baby Butter Beans at my grocery store. There are other small white beans like Navy or Great Nothern beans, as well as a variety I’ve seen labeled Small White Beans. These are all acceptable substitutes for Baby Butter Beans.

Pot Luck Recipes

If you’d like some other tasty side dishes for sharing at your next potluck or picnic, give these family favorites a try.

Corn Avocado and Tomato Salad

Easy, summery salad of fresh sweet corn, creamy avocado, cherry tomatoes, basil, and green onion with a zesty lime dressing. Great served as a salad or salsa.

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Broccoli Sunshine Salad

Fresh broccoli florets, bacon, sunflower seeds, raisins, red onion, and shredded cheddar in a sweet & tangy dressing

Check out this recipe

Aunt Janice’s Potato Salad

Aunt Janice's Potato Salad features a creamy dressing, plenty of hard boiled eggs and lots of crunch from celery, radishes and sweet onions.

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Annie’s Picnic Beans

A Savory blend of three beans, ground beef, and bacon with a tangy ketchup-brown sugar sauce.

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Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 12

Author: Annie Yourek

Ingredients

• olive oil
• 1/2 cup chopped onion (preferably sweet onion)
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 lb bacon, chopped
• 2 cans pork and beans (16 oz. each)
• 1 can kidney beans (16 oz.)
• 1 can baby butter beans (16 oz.) or other small white bean
• 1 1/2 tbsp. vinegar
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup brown sugar

Instructions

• Heat olive oil in a large saute pan. Cook onion and ground beef until ground beef is cooked through. Remove ground beef mixture and set aside.
• Cook the chopped bacon until fully cooked but not too crispy.
• Combine the burger mixture, bacon, and remaining ingredients in a Dutch oven and simmer until warm (15-20 minutes). Or you can combine everything in a slow cooker and simmer on low until warmed through ( a few hours.)

Notes

Make Ahead – this is a great make-ahead dish for a gathering. The flavors are enhanced when you make it a day ahead and then rewarm them in the slow cooker, on the stovetop, or oven. Add a little more ketchup and water if they start to get dry.