Baked beans are a classic side dish perfect for a crowd. Whether it’s a barbecue or holiday meal, everyone will love this zesty homemade baked beans recipe from scratch that goes beyond the can with sweet and spicy flavors coming together. And with bacon added in, it’s irresistible to my whole family!
Best Baked Beans Recipe
By combining both fresh ingredients and pantry staples, you can make the best baked beans in the oven. It’s great for a potluck or any gathering so get your big baking dish ready and add this side dish to your barbecue or holiday meal!
Ingredients in Baked Beans
- Can of pork and beans – You’ll want a 54-ounce can to feed your crowd.
- Bacon – Everything is better with bacon! Cook it first, then chop.
- Butter – For softening your aromatics.
- Yellow onion – Dice it up.
- Green bell pepper – Dice this up too.
- Jalapeno pepper – Adds a little kick.
- Brown sugar – Brings out that sweet side.
- Apple cider vinegar – Helps digestion and brightens up the flavors.
- Molasses – Another layer of sweetness.
- Ketchup – For that savory side.
- Seasonings – You’ll add dry mustard and onion powder to round this out.
- Fresh parsley – This will be your garnish to give it a final pop.
Keep calm, the beans are cooking.
Megan
Easy Baked Beans Recipe
If you need a side dish that will feed many, turn to this easy baked beans with bacon recipe. They take only 25 minutes to put together and the rest is time you can spend putting your feet up or getting the rest of your party ready!
How do you Make Baked Beans from Scratch
Get your oven preheated to 325F and in a nonstick skillet, cook up your bacon. When it’s halfway cooked, drain it and chop it. Then heat the butter and add the onion and bell pepper until softened. Add everything else and combine well. Let it simmer for a few minutes. Prep your 13×9 baking dish and then add the beans to it. Sprinkle the bacon pieces on top and bake for 2 to 3 hours.
Expert Tips and Tricks for the Perfect BBQ Baked Beans Every Time
- Yes, you can make it meatless. For that, you’d skip the bacon and buy the can of vegetarian beans instead.
- Spice it up! If you want spicier Southern baked beans and you know your crowd can manage it, add more jalapeno in.
- Make sure you soften the onion and pepper. Tempting as it is to skip it and throw it all together, it brings out the flavors more. This will create more of a balance between the savory and sweet tastes in your cowboy baked beans.
What kind of beans are baked beans?
These beans are called navy beans or also haricot beans. They’re like cannellini beans but smaller.
What is the difference between Boston baked beans and baked beans?
The biggest difference is that Boston baked beans include molasses. Regular baked beans use brown sugar and corn syrup.
How can I make canned beans taste better?
Adding little touches like brown sugar, molasses, cooked bacon, jalapeno, onions, bell peppers, and other seasonings can add so much flavor and improve the canned taste.
How do you dress up canned beans?
Simply add some bacon, onions, bell peppers, brown sugar, jalapeno pepper, molasses, and seasonings. Don’t forget to garnish with fresh parsley to give it a homemade look!
How to Cook Homemade Baked Beans?
You’ll need to cook homemade baked beans on the stovetop and then move it to the oven for the remainder of the cook time. This ensure delicious barbecue-joint-style beans.
How Long to Bake Baked Beans?
At 325F, you’ll bake these baked beans for 2 to 3 hours.
How do you keep baked beans from drying out?
Adding those aromatics adds in moisture. With this recipe, you will not wind up with dried out baked beans!
Why are my homemade baked beans hard?
If you used an old can of pork and beans, that may be the reason. Otherwise, with using canned beans like this, it’s a lot harder to run into the problem of having hard baked beans.
What goes well with Baked Beans
Anything barbecue goes great with baked beans! Don’t forget corn on the cob, coleslaw, soft dinner rolls, rotisserie chicken, ribs, burgers, hotdogs, and so many things are just wonderful when enjoyed with these homemade baked beans.
How to Store Baked Beans?
Once they’ve cooled down, you’ll want to move your baked beans to the fridge. They should be kept in an airtight container. If you have a whole baking dish full, you can cover it in foil.
How Long Does Baked Beans Last?
You should use them within 3 to 5 days when they’re in your fridge. After that, they must go in the freezer.
Can You Freeze Baked Beans?
Yes! In fact, if you have a large amount, I suggest you do just that. They’ll be good for up to 6 months as long as you’ve stored them right.
How to Reheat Baked Beans?
Baked beans can be reheated on the stovetop if you only have a little. If you have a lot, heat your oven to 350F and cover your baking dish, then bake for 30 minutes or until hot.
Watch How To Make Baked Beans (Video)
Classic Baked Beans Recipe
Ingredients
- 10-12 bacon strips (chopped)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 medium yellow onion (diced)
- 1 green bell pepper (diced)
- 1/2 jalapeño (diced)
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 1/2 tsp dry mustard
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 5 tbsp ketchup
- 54 oz can pork and beans
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325F. While the oven is heating, in a nonstick skillet, cook the thick bacon strips halfway through on medium heat. Drain the bacon on a paper-towel lined plate, and roughly chop.
- In a large skillet on medium heat, melt 2 tbsp butter. Add the diced onion and bell pepper and saute until softened. Add the remaining ingredients and combine well. Allow the mixture to reach a simmer and simmer for 1-2 minutes.
- Meanwhile, prepare a 13x9 baking dish with grease or cooking spray. Add the beans into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the bacon chunks on top of the beans. Bake between 2-3 hours. Allow the beans to sit for 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
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