My baked beans recipe is prepped in just 20 minutes and ready to eat in 1 hour! I use canned pork and beans plus a healthy dose of bacon to make it extra easy (and flavorful), and my whole family loves it.
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My Favorite Homemade Baked Beans
Some dishes immediately bring me back to childhood, and my baked beans recipe is one of them! I have so many fond memories of them being at all of my family gatherings. From cookouts to potlucks to backyard birthday parties, there was always a massive pot of beans somewhere on the table.
Now that I’m an adult and often throw my own parties, I can totally see why! They’re incredibly easy to make, so hearty and satisfying, and are always a crowd-pleaser. Even my kids love them… which actually isn’t too surprising when considering all of those tender beans, yummy bacon, BBQ sauce, and brown sugar.
Leah loves to grab an extra bowl just to put a huge spoonful of baked beans on her plate every time I make them. I even catch her sneaking back over for seconds sometimes.
Need more side dish recipes? I’ve got you covered with my grape salad, acorn squash recipe, twice baked potatoes recipe, and Cajun corn on the cob!
Baked Bean Recipe Ingredients
- Canned pork and beans – These typically come in a sweet, tomato-based sauce that is just perfect for baked beans. They’re soft, flavorful, and ready to absorb even more seasoning. VanCamps is my favorite!
- Bacon – Adds a smoky, salty taste to the mix that pairs super well with everything else. I cook it up first so the onion can soak up all of that yummy fat.
- Onion – Also important for flavor, once softened, the onion blends seamlessly into the dish.
- BBQ sauce – For tang, more smokiness, and a bold, complex flavor that will only deepen as the beans bake. Try my homemade BBQ sauce recipe or go for store-bought.
- Dark brown sugar – A touch of sweetness to balance out all of the tangy and smoky ingredients. It also helps thicken the sauce! I’ve also used light brown sugar and granulated sugar with a little molasses with success.
- Dijon mustard – Needed to cut through both the sweet and savory components to enhance the overall flavor.
- Apple Cider Vinegar – Brightens everything up to keep the beans from tasting too heavy!
How to Make Baked Beans
A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.
STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
STEP TWO: Add the bacon strips to a large pot and cook until crispy. Place them on a paper towel-lined plate to soak up any grease, then drain all but 2 tablespoons of the bacon fat from the pot.
STEP THREE: Cook the onions in the same pot with the bacon grease until they’re softened and translucent.
STEP FOUR: Pour the cans of pork and beans, BBQ sauce, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar into the pot. Stir everything to combine, bring the mixture to a simmer, then let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
STEP FIVE: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish, then add the beans. Cook them for 1 hour so the sauce thickens. Once it becomes bubbly and has the consistency of a syrup, remove the dish from the oven to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy!
Tips for the Best Baked Beans Recipe
- Because the pork, beans, and brown sugar components are on the sweeter side, a spicy or vinegar-based BBQ sauce works best here. Easily add vinegar to my recipe, or choose something different!
- I like to reserve a few bacon slices to chop and use as a garnish. I love the extra savoriness and the added texture.
- Keep a close eye on the onion while it sautés. It can go from perfectly caramelized to burnt and bitter in a flash!
- Allow the bean mixture to simmer for about 5-10 minutes before baking. It helps the flavors meld and reduces the liquid so the sauce will come out much thicker.
- Consider placing the baking dish on a baking sheet. Baked beans have a tendency to bubble over as they cook. The sheet pan will catch any overflow instead of the bottom of the oven!
Baked Beans with Bacon Variations and Substitutions
- Bacon is a classic baked beans ingredient, but feel free to switch up the protein if desired. Turkey bacon is leaner but still smoky, while ground beef would bulk the whole thing up.
- Or, skip the meat altogether and use sautéed mushrooms instead to make this vegetarian-friendly!
- Liquid smoke would be a welcome addition for vegetarians who still want that classic BBQ taste.
- Stir in some flavorful extras like Worcestershire sauce for added umami depth, or bring some heat with a splash or two of hot sauce. Canned green chiles or jalapenos would also taste great.
- My kids love it when I go all out and top the beans with cheddar in the last few minutes of cooking. It comes out ooey, gooey, and melty!
What to Serve with Homemade Baked Beans
Whenever I get invited to a cookout, barbecue, or potluck and am tasked with a side dish, I always bring my famous baked beans! And when hosting, I usually pair them with air fryer hot dogs, air fryer hamburgers, pulled pork in the crock pot, and baked chicken tenders… to name a few!
Baked Beans Recipe FAQs
How should I store leftover baked beans?
Once the beans are cooled completely, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. I usually reheat single servings in the microwave with a splash of water, or larger portions on the stove top.
Can I make this baked bean recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely — I think they actually taste even better the next day! Prep and bake the beans as instructed, then refrigerate for up to 2 days before serving. When ready to dig in, cover with foil and reheat in a 350 degree F oven for 20-30 minutes or until warmed through.
More Easy Dinner Recipes
Easy Baked Beans Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 14 ounce cans pork and beans I used VanCamps
- 8 slices bacon cooked
- 1 small onion chopped
- 1/2 cup BBQ Sauce
- 1/3 cup dark brown sugar packed
- ½ Tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a large pot, cook the bacon strips. Place the bacon on a paper towel-lined plate to soak up any excess grease. Remove all but 2 tablespoons of the grease from the pot.
- Cook the onion in the bacon grease until it turns translucent.
- Pour the cans of pork and beans, BBQ sauce, brown sugar, mustard and vinegar into the pot.
- Stir everything to combine and allow it to come to a simmer and then simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Grease a 9×13 dish and then carefully transfer the beans from the pot to the dish.
- Cook the beans for 1 hour as the sauce thickens. It will be bubbly, and the sauce will have the consistency of a syrup.
Notes
- Make the recipe ahead of time by making it as listed, then refrigerating it up to days. When ready to bake, cover with foil, and reheat at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes until warmed through.
- Feel free to reserve a few bacon slices to chop and use as a garnish.
- Keep a close eye on the onion while it sautés. It can go from perfectly caramelized to burnt and bitter in a flash!
- Allow the bean mixture to simmer for about 5-10 minutes before baking. It helps the flavors meld and reduces the liquid so the sauce will come out much thicker.
- Consider placing the baking dish on a baking sheet. Baked beans have a tendency to bubble over as they cook. The sheet pan will catch any overflow instead of the bottom of the oven!
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.
