My easy-to-make baked beans recipe is rich and smoky, with just the right amount of sweet. Made with bacon, BBQ sauce, and brown sugar, it's a comforting crowd-pleaser that's sure to be a hit at any party or potluck!
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 9x13 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.
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.