Ultimate Meat Lovers Baked Beans with Dorothy Lynch: Your Perfect BBQ Side Dish
Prepare to elevate your grilling experience with these irresistible Meat Lovers Baked Beans! Far from a typical side dish, this recipe transforms humble baked beans into a hearty, flavor-packed meal, featuring savory bratwurst, crispy thick-cut bacon, and a delightful smoky kick from paprika. What truly sets these beans apart is the unique blend of sweetness and tang provided by Nebraska’s own Dorothy Lynch Home Style Dressing & Condiment, perfectly balanced with a touch of raw honey. Whether you’re serving them alongside your favorite grilled specialties or enjoying them as a standalone meal, these beans are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser, especially during summer cookouts.
Summertime calls for delicious food straight off the grill, and these Meat Lovers Baked Beans are designed to be your new favorite go-to. Imagine lingering flavors of slow-cooked meat and beans, harmonized with that signature sweet and tangy finish. Not only are they fantastic fresh, but any leftovers also make for an incredible lunch the next day, proving just how versatile and satisfying they truly are. This recipe is an ideal companion for virtually any barbecue feast, from backyard gatherings to large family reunions, promising a dish that is both comforting and exciting.
These incredible baked beans pair wonderfully with a variety of main dishes. Consider serving them with succulent Crock Pot Pulled Pork Sandwiches topped with Dorothy Lynch Coleslaw, or the legendary Sloppy Dorothy for a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner. For a grander occasion, gather friends and family for a cookout featuring Dorothy’s BBQ Pork Chops or a mouth-watering Juicy Lucy Burger! These beans are so robust, they might just steal the show and become the most talked-about dish on your table.
This post is sponsored by Nebraska’s own Dorothy Lynch Dressing & Condiment. All opinions and my deep affection for their exceptional product are entirely my own.
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Why These Meat Lovers Baked Beans Will Become Your New Favorite
You might be wondering, “What makes these baked beans truly exceptional, surpassing canned varieties or even my cherished family recipe?” The secret lies in a harmonious combination of robust ingredients and a unique flavor enhancer. While many of us have a go-to bean recipe – perhaps like my own Grandma’s Pork ‘n Beans that I grew up with – these Meat Lovers Baked Beans offer a fresh, exciting twist that’s hard to beat. This recipe takes a familiar comfort food and elevates it to gourmet status with minimal effort.
My husband’s family traditionally enjoyed baked beans simply warmed from a can, which is a common practice. However, knowing his fondness for Dorothy Lynch Dressing and all things barbecue, I was inspired to “doctor up” a basic can of beans with these beloved flavors. The idea was simple yet brilliant: introduce the rich, smoky notes of bacon and bratwurst, then infuse them with the distinctive sweet and tangy kick of Dorothy Lynch. The result was nothing short of brilliant! This recipe proves that with a few key additions, you can transform a simple staple into a dish that’s rich, complex, and incredibly satisfying. It’s an innovative approach that marries convenience with gourmet taste, ensuring a dish that’s both comforting and memorable.
Unforgettable Qualities of this Baked Beans Recipe with Brats & Bacon
- Explosive Flavor Profile: The addition of not just crispy bacon, but also savory bratwurst, completely redefines baked beans. This meat-lover’s dream is further enhanced by the inclusion of Dorothy Lynch Home Style Dressing & Condiment. This unique dressing introduces a sweet, tangy, and subtly spicy depth that no other ingredient can replicate, elevating the beans from a simple side to a star attraction. The smoky paprika also contributes to a well-rounded, irresistible taste.
- Effortless Preparation: Despite its sophisticated taste, this recipe is surprisingly easy to make. You won’t need exotic ingredients or complicated spice blends. Just a handful of readily available items, combined with canned baked beans, come together to create culinary magic. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or when you need a reliable, impressive dish for entertaining guests without spending hours in the kitchen.
- Remarkable Versatility: One of the standout features of these baked beans is their adaptability in preparation. You can easily prepare this recipe using a variety of cooking methods: on your stovetop for quick simmering and consolidation of flavors, in your oven for a hands-off approach that develops a rich, even bake, in a slow cooker for a tender, deeply flavored result that’s perfect for meal prepping, or even directly on the grill or smoker for an added layer of authentic smoky deliciousness that perfectly complements any barbecue spread.
- Ideal for Any Gathering: Whether you’re hosting a large potluck, a casual backyard barbecue, a festive holiday gathering, or a quiet family dinner, these beans fit the bill perfectly. The recipe yields a generous amount, making it perfect for feeding a crowd as a memorable side dish that will have everyone asking for seconds. If you’re planning a smaller meal, it can also be easily halved without compromising on flavor, ensuring you always have the perfect portion ready to enjoy.
Essential Ingredients for Dorothy’s Meat Lovers Baked Beans
Crafting these exceptional baked beans doesn’t require a trip to a specialty store or any hard-to-find items. The true beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the masterful combination of readily available, yet impactful, ingredients that create an extraordinary flavor profile. Here’s what you’ll need to create this hearty and unforgettable dish:
- Bratwurst: This is a foundational meat, offering a savory and slightly coarse texture that contrasts wonderfully with the beans. Feel free to choose your preferred type of bratwurst – whether you enjoy classic original for a traditional taste, beer brats for an extra layer of malty flavor, or a spicy variety for an added kick of heat. For this particular recipe, I opted for original brats, which provide a perfectly balanced savory base without overpowering the other ingredients.
- Bacon: A crucial component for both flavor and an irresistible crispy texture. I highly recommend using a nice, thick-cut smoked bacon. Its robust, smoky flavor permeates the beans, and frying it first provides the essential rendered fat to cook the other ingredients, while leaving delicious crispy bits that can be mixed in or used as a garnish.
- Canned Baked Beans (Original Style): To keep things simple and efficient, we start with commercially prepared canned baked beans. The key is to select plain, original-style baked beans, avoiding any pre-flavored varieties (like molasses or brown sugar varieties) that might clash with our unique additions. It’s also important to remember to drain off most of the canning liquid before adding them to the pot for optimal texture and flavor concentration.
- Onion: A humble yet vital aromatic that forms the backbone of many savory dishes. Yellow onions are my preference for their balanced sweetness and pungency, which mellows beautifully during cooking and adds significant depth and complexity to the bean sauce. Finely chopped, they almost disappear into the sauce while contributing rich flavor.
- Paprika: This spice is essential for adding vibrant color and a warm, earthy flavor to the beans. I specifically use smoked paprika (pimentón) to enhance the barbecue notes and perfectly complement the bacon and brats, lending an additional layer of irresistible aroma. However, if smoked paprika isn’t available, regular sweet paprika will also work effectively, contributing a milder, pleasant warmth.
- Honey: A touch of natural sweetness is important to balance the savory meats and the inherent tang of the dressing. I always reach for local raw honey when possible, as it adds a rich, complex sweetness that’s superior to refined sugars and contributes to the glaze-like quality of the sauce.
- Dorothy Lynch Home Style Dressing & Condiment: This is the absolute secret ingredient that truly makes the dish extraordinary. There is simply no substitute for its distinctive sweet and tangy profile, which marries all the flavors together beautifully and provides an unparalleled depth. Its unique character is what elevates these beans from simply good to absolutely phenomenal, giving them a signature taste that will have everyone asking for the recipe.
Simple Steps to Craft Delicious Baked Beans
Creating these hearty Meat Lovers Baked Beans is a straightforward process that yields incredibly satisfying results. By following these simple, detailed steps, you’ll produce a dish that’s rich in flavor, perfectly balanced, and ideal for any gathering or family meal:
- Cook the Bacon to Perfection: Begin by frying your thick-cut bacon, which has been cut into bite-sized pieces, in the bottom of a sturdy cast iron Dutch oven or a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Cook until the bacon is perfectly crispy and has rendered most of its fat. Once done, use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon pieces and transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess grease. Crucially, reserve the flavorful rendered bacon fat in the pan – do not wash it! This fat is essential for building the foundational flavors of the dish.
- Brown the Meats and Onions: To the same Dutch oven with the reserved bacon fat, add your finely chopped onion and the sliced bratwurst. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the brats are almost fully cooked through and have developed a nice golden-brown sear on all sides. The onions should also have softened and become translucent, absorbing the rich flavors from the bacon fat and bratwurst.
- Infuse with Paprika: Once the bratwurst is nearly done and the onions are soft, generously sprinkle the smoked paprika over the meat and onion mixture. Continue to cook for another minute or two, stirring constantly, to lightly toast the paprika and release its smoky, aromatic oils, ensuring it coats the meat evenly. This step significantly enhances the overall flavor profile. Finish cooking the bratwurst completely, then remove the bratwurst and onion mixture from the pan and set it aside with the crispy bacon.
- Deglaze the Pan for Maximum Flavor: Before proceeding, it’s important to deglaze your pan. Pour in a small amount of water or broth (just a few tablespoons) and use a wooden spoon to vigorously scrape up any flavorful brown bits (known as fond) that are stuck to the bottom of the pan. This step is crucial for incorporating all the delicious caramelized flavors from the meats into your sauce and preventing anything from burning. Remove any stubborn black, burnt bits if necessary, as they can impart a bitter taste to the final dish.
- Combine All Ingredients: Return the cooked bacon, bratwurst, and onion mixture to the Dutch oven. Now, add the drained canned baked beans (ensure most of the liquid has been removed), the raw honey, and the star ingredient, Dorothy Lynch Home Style Dressing & Condiment. Stir everything together thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined and coated in the developing sauce.
- Simmer to Perfection: Place the Dutch oven back on the stovetop over medium-low heat. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for approximately 30 minutes, or until the beans are heated through completely and the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency. Remember to stir occasionally during this simmering process to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking, allowing all the incredible flavors to meld beautifully.
- Serve and Savor: Once thickened, piping hot, and bursting with flavor, these Meat Lovers Baked Beans are ready to serve. For an extra touch of freshness and color, you might garnish with a little chopped fresh parsley, if desired. Prepare to receive a wave of compliments as your family and friends enjoy this robust and incredibly satisfying dish!
Flexible Cooking Options for Your Baked Beans
The beauty of these Meat Lovers Baked Beans lies not only in their incredible flavor but also in their adaptability, allowing you to prepare them using various methods to suit your convenience, equipment, and desired flavor profile. After you’ve completed the initial stovetop steps of cooking the bacon and bratwurst as described, the rest of the magic can happen in several versatile ways:
- Slow Cooker Method: For a truly hands-off approach and a dish that develops deep, rich flavors over an extended period, the slow cooker is an excellent choice. After browning your meats and onions, simply transfer all of the cooked meat and remaining ingredients (drained beans, Dorothy Lynch, honey, paprika) to your slow cooker. Stir everything together, cover, and cook on low for 4-6 hours, or until the beans are tender, heated through, and the sauce has thickened to your liking. This method is fantastic for potlucks, parties, or when you want to prepare ahead of time, as it keeps the beans warm and ready for serving.
- Oven Baked Perfection: If you prefer the even, consistent heat of an oven, this method delivers beautifully. After browning the meat and onions on the stovetop, mix all the ingredients together in an oven-safe Dutch oven or a large casserole dish. Cover the dish with a lid or aluminum foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 30-45 minutes. The baking process allows the flavors to meld deeply and the beans to become wonderfully tender. For the last 10-15 minutes, you can remove the lid to allow the top to lightly caramelize and the sauce to thicken slightly more, if desired.
- Smoky Grill or Smoker Preparation: For an authentic barbecue experience, these beans are superb when finished on the grill or in a smoker. Follow the initial stovetop steps precisely to cook the bacon, brats, and onions. Then, combine all ingredients in a heavy-duty, grill-safe pot (like your Dutch oven) or a sturdy disposable aluminum pan. Place the container indirectly on your grill (if using charcoal, offset from the coals; if gas, turn off burners directly below) or in a smoker at a moderate temperature (around 250-300°F or 120-150°C) for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally. The smoky environment will infuse the beans with an unparalleled depth of flavor, perfectly complementing any other meats you’re grilling or smoking. This method also has the added benefit of keeping all the cooking outdoors, perfect for hot summer days!
Serving Suggestions for Your Hearty Baked Beans
These Meat Lovers Baked Beans are incredibly versatile and can accompany almost any meal, making them a true culinary MVP. Beyond being the ultimate grilling side, they also stand alone as a satisfying dish. Here are some creative and classic ideas for serving your delicious beans:
- Classic BBQ Sidekick: The most natural pairing! Serve these hearty beans alongside grilled chicken, juicy pork chops, tender ribs, smoked brisket, or your favorite burgers for the quintessential summer barbecue experience. Their robust flavor holds up perfectly against other grilled meats.
- Hearty Main Course: Don’t underestimate their power as a standalone meal. Enjoy a generous bowl all by itself, perhaps with a warm slice of cornbread or a crusty roll to soak up the flavorful sauce, for a filling and comforting lunch or dinner.
- Sandwich Companion: These beans are a fantastic side to virtually any sandwich. Pair them with pulled pork sandwiches, grilled sausage subs, classic hot dogs, or even a simple grilled cheese for an elevated comfort food experience.
- Picnic or Potluck Essential: Their ability to feed a crowd and hold up well makes them an ideal choice for any potluck, picnic, or outdoor gathering. They transport easily and are always a hit.
- Breakfast or Brunch Twist: For the truly adventurous, don’t shy away from using leftovers! A small serving of these flavorful beans can be a delightful and unexpected addition to a hearty breakfast plate alongside eggs, toast, and other breakfast meats.
Remember, their robust flavor, satisfying texture, and versatility make them a fantastic choice for any occasion where delicious, comforting, and meat-packed food is desired. Enjoy experimenting with different pairings!
Don’t Forget to Pin It!
Loved this recipe for Dorothy’s Meat Lovers Baked Beans? We’re sure it will be a hit in your kitchen! Make sure you save it for later so you can easily recreate this delicious dish. Pin it to your favorite recipe board on Pinterest now, and it will be ready for your next barbecue, family meal, or potluck. Don’t let this fantastic recipe slip away!
Discover the Magic of Dorothy Lynch Dressing & Condiment
Dorothy Lynch Dressing & Condiment is a culinary gem, best described as a delightful sweet and savory dressing with a notably rich, thick, and creamy texture. Often mistakenly classified as a French dressing due to its inviting reddish-orange hue, Dorothy Lynch actually stands in a league of its own, possessing a flavor profile that is truly unique and incomparable. Unlike typical oil-based French dressings, Dorothy Lynch is distinctly tomato-based, giving it a proprietary taste that is homemade in character and cannot be easily replicated by other brands.
The fascinating and charming story behind this iconic dressing began in the 1940s in the small, welcoming town of St. Paul, Nebraska. “The” Dorothy Lynch herself crafted this signature dressing, serving it with immense pride to patrons at the local Legion Club restaurant, which she and her husband so lovingly operated. It quickly became an instant sensation, developing such a loyal following that customers would regularly bring their own bottles to the restaurant, eagerly asking Dorothy to fill them with her beloved dressing to enjoy the unique taste at home. This heartwarming testament to its irresistible flavor has solidified its place as a cherished staple in kitchens across the Midwest and is steadily gaining popularity far beyond.
Dorothy Lynch: A Versatile Kitchen Essential, Beyond Just Salads
While Dorothy Lynch may have originated as a beloved salad dressing, its culinary applications are far more extensive and surprisingly diverse. Its distinctive sweet and tangy profile, coupled with a hint of subtle spice, makes it an incredibly versatile condiment, earning it a permanent and frequently replenished spot in our pantry where it’s used up quickly in countless creative ways. It’s truly not “just another salad dressing” but a dynamic and indispensable kitchen essential that adds a special, unforgettable touch to a multitude of dishes, transforming everyday meals into something extraordinary.
Beyond its role in dressing salads, Dorothy Lynch excels as a flavorful marinade for various meats, tenderizing them while infusing them with its signature sweet and tangy taste that caramelizes beautifully. It also makes an excellent and refreshing vegetable dip, a unique and zesty pizza dip that adds an unexpected burst of flavor, and is particularly outstanding when paired with classic barbecue dishes and crispy fried chicken, where its unique profile truly shines. Both the original Dorothy Lynch Home Style and the Dorothy Lynch Light & Lean varieties are proudly gluten-free, catering to a wider range of dietary needs without ever sacrificing a single bit of that beloved, signature flavor.
Finding Dorothy Lynch is becoming easier than ever! It’s widely available at numerous locally-owned shops throughout its home state of Nebraska and can be found in select grocery stores nationwide, including popular chains like Walmart and Hy-Vee. For those outside these retail areas, or for convenient online shopping that delivers right to your door, you can purchase Dorothy Lynch directly from their official website and through the dedicated online store at Buy Nebraska. Don’t miss out on adding this versatile, flavor-packed condiment to your culinary repertoire – it’s a game-changer!
Enhance Your Meals with Dorothy Lynch Home Style Dressing in Recipes
Beyond these incredible Meat Lovers Baked Beans, Dorothy Lynch Home Style Dressing & Condiment lends its unique, unforgettable flavor to a wide array of savory and sweet recipes, proving its versatility time and again. My most recent culinary creation featuring this exceptional dressing was a super yummy Potato Salad, which perfectly showcased its creamy texture and sweet-tangy notes. Imagine how truly memorable and talked-about your next cookout or family gathering would be if you served both Dorothy’s creamy, flavorful Potato Salad and these hearty, meat-packed Meat Lovers Baked Beans! It’s a combination that promises to delight every guest and leave a lasting impression.
Explore More Recipes That Ingeniously Use Dorothy Lynch:
- Taco Salads with Dorothy’s Homemade Taco Sauce
- Dorothy’s Cranberry Meatballs
- Dorothy’s Pizza Pockets
- Dorothy’s Slow Cooker Glazed Ham
- Juicy Dorothy Burger (an elevated and flavorful take on Juicy Lucy Burgers)
- Dorothy’s Hot Taco Dip
- Sloppy Dorothy Sandwiches
- Dorothy’s Cheesy Bacon Pull-Apart Bread
- Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Dorothy’s Cole Slaw
- Dorothy’s BBQ Pork Chops
- Dorothy’s Impossible Pie with Bacon & Swiss
For even more exciting and delicious ways to incorporate Dorothy Lynch into your everyday cooking and special occasion meals, be sure to visit their official website for a treasure trove of inspiring recipes and culinary ideas!
Ready to create these unforgettable Meat Lovers Baked Beans and become the hero of your next meal? Let’s get cooking! 
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Print Recipe
Meat Lovers Baked Beans
Equipment
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Lodge 6 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven. Classic Red Enamel Dutch Oven (Island Spice Red)
Ingredients
- 8 slices thick cut smoked bacon cut into pieces
- 2 bratwurst sliced
- 1/2 cup onion chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 28 ounce cans baked beans (original style) drain off liquid
- 1/4 cup raw honey
- 1/2 cup Dorothy Lynch Home Style Dressing & Condiment
Instructions
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In a dutch oven, fry the bacon until cooked through. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate to drain off the grease.
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Soak up the grease from the dutch oven with paper towels, but don’t clean the pan. Add in the onion and sliced brats. When bratwurst is almost cooked through, sprinkle with paprika and continue to cook until meat is done. Remove from the pan and set aside.
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Deglaze the pan and remove any of the black burnt bits in the bottom before adding in the remaining ingredients.
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To the pan, add in all of the remaining ingredients, plus bacon and meat and onion mixture and cook on medium low heat until heated through.