To me, there’s nothing better than a big batch of sauce-y, flavor-packed Baked Beans at a Summer BBQ! I dress up a few cans of pork and beans with thick slices of bacon, brown sugar, sweet onion, molasses, and some extra seasonings for the best baked beans recipe ever. It’s the perfect side dish for barbecues, cookouts, or any time you have a crowd to feed. People always ask me for the recipe; its a favorite that never disappoints.
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What’s in this Baked Beans Recipe?
I absolutely love that this easy Boston-style baked beans recipe only requires a few simple ingredients. There’s nothing quite like sweet and savory beans to round out breakfast or dinner! When I was recently in Paris, every breakfast included beans, and now it’s a staple for our family as well!
- Bacon: Adds a savory and smoky flavor to the beans.
- Onion: Sweet onion adds sweetness and a slight bite.
- Pork + Beans: Using canned pork and beans in tomato sauce makes this recipe super easy to throw together.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Adds depth to the sauce.
- Sugar: Brown sugar sweetens the sauce.
- Mustard Powder: Adds a bit of tang to the sauce.
- Molasses: Unsulphured molasses adds sweetness and a rich, warm flavor.
Variations on Homemade Baked Beans
I love the balance of sweet and savory in this baked bean recipe. You can adjust the level of sweetness by using more or less brown sugar and molasses. Sauté some garlic, bell peppers, and celery with the onions to add even more depth of flavor. Or make them a little spicy with a dash of hot sauce, chili powder, or red pepper flakes.
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How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover baked beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in a saucepan set over low heat or in the microwave in 30-second increments until warmed through.
How to Freeze
Freeze homemade baked beans in an airtight container or Ziplock bag for up to 6 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these baked beans with classic BBQ dishes, like smoked ribs, hot dogs, or grilled pork chops. Add some favorite BBQ sides like coleslaw or corn for a complete meal.
These beans also make a great side to your favorite breakfast foods, like scrambled eggs with bacon, savory bacon pancakes, or pimento cheese grits.
Notes from the Test Kitchen
If you’re not a fan of molasses, try honey or maple syrup instead!
Baked Beans Recipe
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Ingredients
- 8 bacon slices cut into 2-inch lengths
- 1 sweet onion diced
- 60 ounces pork and beans in tomato sauce (4 (15-ounce) cans); 1 can drained, include the sauce in the other 3 cans
- 1½ teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard powder
- ½ cup unsulphured molasses
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Add the bacon to a cold nonstick skillet and cook on medium heat until some of the fat has rendered, but the bacon is not fully crisp. Set the bacon aside. Leave the bacon fat in the pan.8 bacon slices
- To the pan with the bacon fat, add the onions and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.1 sweet onion
- Add the onions, pork and beans, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, dry mustard, and molasses to the greased baking dish. Stir until combined.60 ounces pork and beans in tomato sauce, 1½ teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, ⅓ cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon dry mustard powder, ½ cup unsulphured molasses
- Arrange the bacon pieces over the beans. Bake, uncovered, for 45 minutes or until the sauce is bubbly and the bacon is crisp.
Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!
Becky’s tips
- You can substitute the dry mustard for 1 tablespoon of prepared yellow mustard.
- You can add in 1 diced green pepper with the onion, if desired.
Nutrition Information
How to Make Baked Beans Step by Step
Cook the Bacon: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Add 8 bacon slices cut into 2-inch pieces to a cold nonstick skillet and cook on medium heat until some of the fat has rendered, but the bacon is not fully crisp. Set the bacon aside. Leave the bacon fat in the pan.
Season the Beans: To the pan with the bacon fat, add 1 diced sweet onion and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the onions, 60 ounces (4 cans– drain 1 can and leave the sauce in the other 3) of canned pork and beans in tomato sauce, 1½ teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce, ⅓ cup of brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of dry mustard powder, and ½ cup of unsulphured molasses to the greased baking dish. Stir until combined.
Bake the Beans: Arrange the cooked bacon pieces over the beans. Bake, uncovered, for 45 minutes or until the sauce is bubbly and the bacon is crisp.
Baked beans are most often made with Navy beans. However, Cannellini or Great Northern beans also work well!
These beans are high in protein, fiber, potassium, and iron; however, they also contain quite a lot of sugar and fat, so enjoy them in moderation!
Unfortunately, this recipe is not gluten-free. Some brands of beans contain gluten, and Worcestershire sauce is not a gluten-free ingredient. To make this recipe gluten-free, use a certified gluten-free brand of beans and Worcestershire sauce.
If your beans are tasting a bit bland, they may be overcooked. The longer beans cook, the more they will start to lose their flavor. Consider baking them for a bit less time.
How about Crock pot?
Cook on low 5-6 hours or high 3-4 hours!
Hi Mick, this is a pretty traditional baked beans recipe. Perhaps you’d be more interested in BBQ baked beans, which are a bit less sweet!