Southern Peach Baked Beans

There's nothing like a good Southern side dish that shows up to the BBQ and quietly steals the show. These peach baked beans are sweet, smoky, savory, and made in a Dutch oven with bacon, bourbon, peach preserves, navy beans, and a homemade-style sauce that tastes like it simmered all afternoon.

Peach season and BBQ season hit at the same time here in the South, so it only makes sense to bring them together in one cozy pot of beans. As a dietitian and Southern cook, I love taking a classic cookout side and adding a produce-forward twist that still feels familiar, comforting, and perfect for sharing.

If you love easy Southern-inspired sides, be sure to try my Mexican smashed potatoes, ranch slaw, and quick pasta salad next.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Sweet, smoky, and savory: Peach preserves and a little brown sugar bring that classic baked bean sweetness, while the rest of the ingredients keep the flavors balanced.
• Made in a Dutch oven: Everything cooks in one pot, and the Dutch oven helps the beans turn thick, saucy, and cozy without needing a bunch of extra dishes!
• Perfect for summer gatherings: These peach baked beans are made for BBQs, potlucks, picnics, tailgates, and backyard dinners with family.
• Easy to make ahead: The flavor gets even better as it sits, so this is a great side dish to prep before a party or cookout.

Ingredients for Peach Bourbon Baked Beans

This recipe uses simple, flavorful ingredients to build a sweet and smoky baked bean sauce without relying on canned baked beans.

• Navy beans: Navy beans are small, creamy, and classic for baked beans. I like using canned for a budget-friendly and time-saver option! 
• Turkey bacon: Turkey bacon adds smoky flavor with a lighter touch than traditional bacon.
• Yellow onion: Onion gives the beans a savory base and helps balance the sweetness from the peach preserves and brown sugar.
• Chicken broth: Broth helps loosen the sauce so the beans can bake without drying out.
• Bourbon: Bourbon adds warm, caramel-like flavor that pairs so well with peaches, brown sugar, and smoked paprika.
• Tomato sauce: Tomato sauce gives the beans body, tang, and that classic baked bean-style base.
• Peach preserves: Peach preserves are the key ingredient for easy, consistent peach flavor.
• Brown sugar: A little brown sugar gives that classic BBQ-style sweetness.
• Worcestershire sauce: Worcestershire adds savory depth and helps balance the sweet ingredients.
• Dijon mustard: Dijon cuts through the sweetness and gives the sauce a little tang.
• Smoked paprika: Smoked paprika brings that cozy BBQ-style smokiness without needing a smoker.
• Garlic: Fresh garlic adds depth and keeps the sauce from tasting flat.

See the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and measurements.

Substitutions & Variations

This recipe is flexible, so you can easily make it work for your cookout, pantry, or family's taste.

• You can use regular bacon in place of turkey bacon for a richer, smokier flavor.
• To make it alcohol-free, swap the bourbon for extra chicken broth, apple juice, or peach nectar.
• Stir in diced ripe peaches near the end if you want to add fresh peaches for extra texture and peach flavor.
• Add diced jalapeño, cayenne pepper, chipotle powder, or hot sauce to make it spicy without changing the base recipe.
• You can use a different bean like Great Northern beans, cannellini beans, or pinto beans if that is what you have on hand.
• Stir in your favorite BBQ sauce to add BBQ flavor and give the beans a deeper cookout-style taste.

How to Make Peach Baked Beans

Here's how to bring these Dutch oven baked beans together.

Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a 5 to 6 quart Dutch oven over medium heat.

Step 2: Add the chopped turkey bacon and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until crisp and golden. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and set it aside.

Step 3: Add the diced onion to the Dutch oven and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes, or until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 to 60 seconds, just until fragrant.

Step 4: Add the remaining ingredients, including the cooked turkey bacon, and stir until everything is well combined.

Step 5: Reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for 40 to 50 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and clings to the beans.

Step 6: If the beans thicken too quickly, stir in a splash of broth or water.

Step 7 Remove the Dutch oven from the heat and let the beans rest for 10 minutes before serving so the sauce can settle and thicken slightly.

Slow Cooker Bourbon Peach Baked Beans Method

Want to free up stovetop space for a cookout or holiday meal? You can easily make these baked beans with peaches in the slow cooker.

• Cook the turkey bacon in a skillet until crisp, then transfer to the slow cooker.
• Sauté the onion and garlic in the bacon drippings for 3 to 4 minutes, then add them to the slow cooker.
• Add the remaining ingredients and stir well.
• Cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours or HIGH for 2 to 3 hours, stirring once or twice if possible.
• If the beans seem too thin at the end, remove the lid and cook for another 20 to 30 minutes until the sauce thickens.

Tips For Best Bourbon Peach Baked Beans

A few simple tips make these baked beans extra flavorful and cookout-ready.

• Make sure you cook the onion and bell pepper first so they soften and build a savory base for the sauce.
• Don't skip the Dijon because Dijon mustard balances the sweetness from the peach preserves and brown sugar.
• For the best texture and flavor, use peach preserves, not jelly because preserves melt into the sauce and add more body.
• Give the beans a few minutes to sit because letting the beans rest helps the sauce settle before serving.
• Always taste and adjust at the end since different brands of turkey bacon, broth, and peach preserves can change the saltiness and sweetness.

What to Serve with Peach Baked Beans Recipe

These bacon peach baked beans are made for summer plates, BBQ spreads, and easy Southern-style dinners.

• Serve peach baked beans with pulled pork for an easy Southern BBQ plate.
• Pair them with grilled peach chicken for a simple summer dinner.
• Add them next to pimento cheese burgers or hot dogs for a classic cookout spread.
• Serve them with ribs when you want a sweet and smoky side.
• Pair them with corn dog bites for a hearty, no-fuss meal.
• Add coleslaw, potato salad, or cornbread to round out the plate.
• Serve them with grilled corn or a simple green salad for extra freshness.

Storage

These baked beans store well, which makes them perfect for make-ahead cookouts and leftovers.

• Refrigerator: Store leftover peach baked beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
• Freezer: Let the beans cool completely, then freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
• Reheating: Reheat on the stovetop, in the microwave, or covered in the oven at 300°F until warmed through.