BBQ Beans and Greens

This easy BBQ Beans and Greens recipe is smoky, tangy, and packed with flavor. A budget-friendly one-pot meal perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep. The post BBQ Beans and Greens appeared first on Budget Bytes.

May 16, 2025 - 15:36

This recipe is one of my favorites because it’s crazy cheap, feeding a family of 6 for just over a buck per person, and it’s a flavor explosion thanks to a mix of Southern greens and tangy BBQ sauce. This one-pot meal is packed with protein and color and makes the best leftovers. I serve it as a main dish or a side, so you’re going to love it no matter what! These spicy, sweet, totally vegetarian BBQ Beans and Greens need to be in your meal prep rotation this summer.

Overhead view of a skillet of bbq beans and greens with a wooden spoon.

Easy Recipe for BBQ Beans and Greens

If you love bold, saucy comfort food with barely any cleanup, you’re going to be all over these BBQ beans and greens. It’s easy, tangy, just the right amount of sweet, and loaded with tender greens, creamy pinto beans, and pops of corn. I simmer everything in one pot for max flavor and minimal effort, and it all comes together in about 30 minutes. It’s just as simple and budget-friendly as my buffalo beans and greens, and it makes a ton, meaning it’s perfect for meal prep or feeding a crowd on the cheap.

Overhead view of a skillet of bbq beans and greens.

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BBQ Beans and Greens Recipe

This easy BBQ Beans and Greens recipe is smoky, tangy, and packed with flavor. A budget-friendly one-pot meal perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Total Cost $6.15 recipe / $1.03 serving

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 30

Total Time 35

Servings servings (1 cup beans + ½ cup rice)

Calories 317kcal

Author Jess Rice

Equipment

Large Sauté Pan

Ingredients

3 cups cooked rice $0.44
1 Tbsp olive oil $0.19
½ large onion, diced (1 cup) $0.39
½ tsp ground black pepper $0.05
½ tsp salt $0.01
2 x 10 oz cans mild diced tomatoes with green chilies (with juices) $1.92
2 x 15.5 oz cans pinto beans, drained and rinsed $1.72
1 cup frozen corn* $0.40
2 cups Southern greens mix (collard/mustard/turnip chopped)** $0.75
¼ cup BBQ sauce of choice*** $0.19
1 cup vegetable broth**** $0.09

Instructions

Gather your ingredients. (1 cup of dry rice yields 3 cups cooked, so you can get that started while you’re preparing your beans and greens!)
In a large sauté pan, add olive oil, diced onion, pepper, and salt. Cook over medium high heat until soft and glossy, about 5 minutes.
Then, add canned tomatoes (with juice), strained and rinsed pinto beans, and frozen corn. Stir to combine and cook for another 5 minutes.
Then, add greens, BBQ sauce, and vegetable broth. Stir and let this simmer on medium-low heat for 20 minutes, covered. The greens will be tender and wilted once done. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed!
Serve over cooked rice.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Notes

*You can use canned corn, too. Just be sure to strain and rinse. I find frozen corn has a fresher flavor than canned, but use what you have on hand.

**If you can’t find the Southern mixed greens at your grocery store, straight collards, Swiss chard, or kale will work just fine. Spinach will also do, but if you’re opting for spinach, you will need to use more, as it shrinks significantly when cooked, and greens should be a prominent part of this dish! I prefer the Southern mixed greens because of their texture and peppery flavors.

***I like to use Sweet Baby Ray’s. You can also try making a homemade BBQ sauce and use that.

****We like to use Better Than Bouillon to keep broth costs low.

Nutrition

how to make BBQ Beans and Greens step-by-step photos

Gather all of your ingredients: You’ll also need 3 cups of cooked rice (1 cup of dry rice yields 3 cups cooked). Use our guide on how to cook rice and get it started while you prep your BBQ beans and greens.

Sauté the onion: Add 1 Tbsp olive oil, ½ large diced onion, ½ tsp ground pepper, and ½ tsp salt to a large sauté pan and cook over medium-high heat until the onions are soft and glossy. This will take about 5 minutes.

Diced tomatoes, corn, and beans added to sauteed onions in a skillet.

Add tomatoes, beans, and corn: Once the onion has softened, add two 10 oz cans mild diced tomatoes with green chilies (with juices), two 15.5 oz cans strained and rinsed pinto beans, and 1 cup frozen corn. Give everything a stir to combine and cook for a further 5 minutes.

Southern greens, BBQ sauce, and broth added to a skillet to make BBQ greens and beans.

Add the greens, broth, and sauce: Now add 2 cups greens, ¼ cup BBQ sauce of choice, and 1 cup vegetable broth (I use Better than Bouillon). Stir everything together, cover with a lid, and simmer over medium-low heat for 20 minutes. Your greens will look tender and wilted when ready. Taste and adjust the seasonings to your liking.

Finished BBQ beans and greens in a skillet.

Serve: Divide the cooked rice between each plate and top with your homemade BBQ beans and greens. Enjoy!

Overhead view of a plate of bbq beans and greens with rice.

Serving Suggestions

This BBQ beans and greens recipe already includes rice, but if you want to add some extra sides, serve it with homemade cornbread (I like to use our recipe to make corn muffins) or, if you’ve got the grill going, add some grilled vegetables. For even more BBQ flavor, I usually drizzle a little extra sauce over the top before serving. You can also cook up a few strips of bacon in the oven (or your favorite veggie alternative) while the beans simmer, then crumble it over the top for a crispy finish.

Storage & Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. I think the flavors get even better as these barbecue beans and greens sit! To reheat, microwave in 30-second bursts until warmed through, or heat on the stovetop over medium-low with a splash of broth or water to loosen it up. This one should also freeze well. Let it cool completely, portion into freezer-safe containers, and freeze for up to 3 months.