This Luau Lava Bean recipe is your new go-to side dish for any Hawaiian-themed party, backyard cookout, or summer gathering.
Packed with island flavor, these Hawaiian baked beans are loaded with juicy pineapple chunks and a smoky, sweet blend of two barbecue sauces that gives them an irresistible depth.
The “lava” part? You can turn up the heat by adding chili flakes or your favorite hot sauce for a spicy twist that balances perfectly with the sweetness.
Easy to make and always a hit, this dish brings a bold tropical vibe to your table with every bite.
Jump to:
💖 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Sweet & Smoky: Hawaiian Baked Beans blend brown sugar, pineapple, and smoky spices for tropical BBQ flavor.
- No Fuss Prep: Mix, bake, and serve—super easy with big flavor.
- Loads of Texture: Tender beans with juicy pineapple chunks and crispy bacon on top.
One of the Best Hawaiian Luau Recipes
If you are planning a celebration, Luau Lava Beans are one of the most flavorful Hawaiian side dishes to serve.
In Hawaii, gatherings for birthdays, weddings, or graduations are often called a luau, where food, music, and hula bring everyone together.
You can create the same festive vibe at home by hosting your own Hawaiian-themed party. This luau recipe is a perfect way to start the meal.
These sweet and savory baked beans go especially well with barbecue chicken, pork, or any tropical-style spread.
⭐ Star Ingredients
This recipe takes about 15 minutes to prep and 2 hours and 15 minutes to cook. You can cook it on the stove top or in a slow cooker - which makes it easy to bring along to any party!
It makes 6-8 side servings.
- 3 16-oz cans pinto beans, drained
- 1 cup chopped red onion
- 1⁄2 lb cubed cooked bacon
- ½ cup chopped red bell peppers
- ½ cup chopped green bell pepper
- 1⁄2 cup pineapple chunks, drained
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ¼ cup Lava bbq sauce
- ¼ cup Luau smoked bacon bbq sauce
- ¼ cup Pineapple juice, from the drained pineapple
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
🌈 Substitutions and Variations
- Bean choice: Try Great Northern beans or black beans instead of pinto beans to create a slightly different texture and taste in your dish.
- Meat alternatives: Swap out the bacon for cooked ham or smoked sausage to bring a new layer of smoky flavor to your baked beans.
- Vegetarian option: Skip the meat and add in extra veggies like mushrooms or zucchini to make this a satisfying meat-free side.
- Spice level: Control the heat by adjusting the amount of lava BBQ sauce, or stir in diced jalapeños if you prefer a spicier kick.
🔪How to Make Luau Lava Beans
Add the peppers and onions to a saute pan and cook until tender.
Mix the beans, bacon, pepper – onion mixture, and pineapple juice to a large pot. Stir to combine
Add the brown sugar, lava sauce and Luau bacon BBQ sauce to the mixture. Stir to combine.
Cook on low for 2 hours stirring often. Add your pineapple chunks and stir to combine.
Cook for another 15 minutes to heat the pineapple.
Spicy, Low-Sugar Hawaiian Baked Beans
Making Hawaiian baked beans with pineapple and brown sugar gives the dish a rich, sweet flavor.
If you would rather go for a spicier and lower-sugar option, you can leave out the brown sugar and add about one-quarter to one-half teaspoon of smoked paprika or chilli powder, depending on how much heat you prefer.
Looking to tailor recipes to specific fitness or nutrition goals? FitBudd's AI Recipe Generator makes it easy to create meal ideas that fit any diet plan.
Enjoy!
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Sauté vegetables: Cook the onions and peppers until they are soft and fragrant to enhance their natural sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Colorful peppers: Use both red and green bell peppers to add a bright, festive look that makes the dish more appealing on the table.
- Pineapple timing: Stir in pineapple chunks near the end of cooking to keep them juicy and full of that signature tropical flavor.
💭 FAQs
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove with a splash of water if they’ve thickened up.
Absolutely! Canned beans save time—just drain and rinse them well. You’ll need about 3 cans to match the recipe’s quantity.
They’ve got a little kick, but nothing too wild. Want more heat? Add a chopped jalapeño or a dash of hot sauce. Want it mild? Cut back on chili powder or skip the spice altogether.
You bet! Just toss everything in and cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4. It’s a great set-it-and-forget-it option for parties or potlucks.
💖 Serving Suggestions
These are my favorite dishes to serve with luau lava beans:
- Grilled pineapple slices: Sweet, smoky, and totally island-approved.
- Coconut rice: Creamy and tropical—pairs perfectly with the spicy beans.
- Teriyaki chicken skewers: Juicy, flavorful, and great for soaking up all that saucy goodness.
🍜 More Easy Dinner Recipes
Did you make this recipe? Leave a review and a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below! Alternatively, bookmark it in your browser or save to Pinterest.
Luau Lava Hawaiian Baked Beans
Ingredients
- 3 16 oz Pinto Beans Drained
- 1 Cup Red Onion Chopped
- ½ lb Cubed Cooked Bacon
- ½ Cup Red Bell Peppers Chopped
- ½ Cup Green Bell Pepper Chopped
- ½ Cup Pineapple Chunks Drained
- ½ Cup Packed Brown Sugar
- ¼ Cup Lava bbq sauce
- ¼ Cup Luau smoked bacon bbq sauce
- ¼ Cup Pineapple juice From The Drained Pineapple
Instructions
- Add the peppers and onions to a saute’ pan and cook until tender.
- Mix the beans, bacon, pepper – onion mixture, and pineapple juice to a large pot. Stir to combine
- Add the brown sugar, lava sauce and Luau bacon BBQ sauce to the mixture.
- Stir to combine.
- Cook on low for 2 hours stirring often. Add your pineapple chunks and stir to combine.
- Cook for another 15 minutes to heat pineapple.
Leave a Reply