This baked bean dish is probably one of the most popular dishes I have ever made for family get-togethers and is my go-to side dish for any picnic or BBQ. I can’t count the number of times I’ve been asked for this recipe! And most people have no idea they’re eating wild game.

This recipe is delicious, easy AND you can make it the day before. It’s also Crock-Pot, oven, grill or stovetop friendly.

To be clear, you can easily substitute any ground wild game instead out for venison. I’ve even made it with lean ground beef several times too. It all depends on what you have on hand in the freezer.

BOWHUNTER BAKED BEANS

SERVES ABOUT 10-12 PEOPLE

  • 2 cans of your favorite baked beans (28oz cans)
  • 1 lb. ground venison (or any ground meat)
  • 1/3 cup of diced yellow onion
  • ½ lbs. of cubed bacon
  • ¼ cup of brown sugar
  • ¼ cup of ketchup
  • ¼ cup BBQ sauce
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder

DIRECTIONS:

In a frying pan, cook the ground meat until browned. I like to season with salt and pepper before cooking. Drain any fat/grease.

Cook the bacon until crisp and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain the grease.

Add the ground meat, bacon, and baked beans to the crockpot.

Add the remaining ingredients and stir well.

Cook on low for 4-8 hours, stirring occasionally. If baking, cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake at 350 for 45 minutes.