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You are here: Home / Side Dish Recipes / Annie’s Potluck Beans

Annie’s Potluck Beans

May 25, 2023 by cathyscooking@gmail.com 2 Comments

Beans with burger, bacon and sauce

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.

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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.

Beans with burger, bacon and sauce

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.
Check out this recipe
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.
Check out this recipe

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.

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Filed Under: Side Dish Recipes Tagged With: backed beans, bacon, beans, burger, crock pot, easy recipe, picnic, potluck, side dish, slow cooker, summer recipe

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Comments

  1. Eileen Halverson

    May 25, 2023 at 1:19 PM

    I very much enjoy your blog and all the fantastic recipes you share. I have made this recipe for my family many times/for years. The kids and grandkids ask for it every time we come to MN. We call it three bean hot dish and serve it with homemade bread.
    Thank you for sharing. God Bless.
    Eileen Halverson

    Reply
    • cathyscooking@gmail.com

      May 25, 2023 at 8:51 PM

      I am delighted to hear you’re enjoying the recipes on the blog and that this bean dish is a beloved family meal. Food is such a great way to celebrate with those we love. Happy cooking and God bless you as well. ❣️

      Reply

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