How to Make the Best Baked Beans from Scratch: A Step-by-Step Guide
There’s nothing quite like a big pot of baked beans to round out a BBQ, summer gathering, or cozy family dinner. This baked beans recipe is loaded with smoky bacon, sweet molasses, and the perfect tang from cider vinegar. It’s the ultimate side dish that’s simple to make but tastes like it simmered all day.
Whether you’re serving it alongside grilled meats or just want a warm, comforting dish, these baked beans are sure to please. Let’s dive into this mouthwatering recipe!
Why You’ll Love This Baked Beans Recipe
1. Smoky, Sweet, and Tangy
The combination of bacon, molasses, brown sugar, and cider vinegar creates that perfect sweet, smoky, and tangy flavor balance that makes baked beans so irresistible.
2. Easy to Prepare
This recipe comes together with pantry staples, and the cooking process is mostly hands-off once it’s in the oven.
3. Crowd-Pleasing
Whether it’s a summer BBQ or a potluck, baked beans are always a hit, and this recipe makes enough to serve a big group.
Ingredients for Baked Beans
- 10 slices of bacon (chopped)
- 1 onion (finely diced)
- ½ bell pepper (any color, finely diced)
- 54 oz of canned beans (drained, such as navy, pinto, or a mix)
- 4 tablespoons of ketchup
- ¼ cup molasses
- ⅔ cup brown sugar (light or dark)
- ¼ cup cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons dry mustard
How to Make Smoky Sweet Baked Beans
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F and get all your ingredients prepped and ready. Dice your bacon, onion, and bell pepper.
Step 2: Cook the Bacon
In a large skillet, cook the 10 slices of bacon over medium heat until crispy. Once cooked, remove the bacon and place it on a paper towel to drain. Reserve a few tablespoons of the bacon fat in the pan.
Step 3: Sauté the Onion and Pepper
Add the diced onion and ½ bell pepper to the skillet with the bacon fat. Sauté for about 5 minutes, until softened and translucent.
Step 4: Mix the Sauce
In a large bowl, whisk together the 4 tablespoons ketchup, ¼ cup molasses, ⅔ cup brown sugar, ¼ cup cider vinegar, and 2 teaspoons dry mustard. This will be the sweet and tangy sauce that gives the beans their signature flavor.
Step 5: Combine Everything
In a large baking dish or Dutch oven, combine the drained 54 oz of beans, sautéed onions and pepper, crispy bacon, and the sauce. Stir until everything is well combined.
Step 6: Bake the Beans
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour. After an hour, remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes to let the top caramelize slightly.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy!
Once the beans are done, give them a final stir and serve hot. These baked beans are perfect alongside ribs, burgers, grilled chicken, or as a standalone dish.
Tips for Perfect Baked Beans
1. Use Canned Beans for Convenience
While some traditional baked beans recipes call for starting with dried beans, using canned beans is a big time-saver without sacrificing flavor. Navy beans, pinto beans, or even a mix of your favorites work great in this recipe.
2. Crisp Up the Bacon
For extra crispy bacon, you can cook it separately in the oven or air fryer and then crumble it into the beans after baking. This method ensures every bite has a nice crunch.
3. Adjust the Sweetness
If you prefer your baked beans a little less sweet, you can reduce the amount of brown sugar to ½ cup. If you love extra sweetness, feel free to add a touch more.
4. Customize Your Beans
Feel free to add more ingredients like diced jalapeños for a little heat, chopped tomatoes for extra texture, or even a splash of whiskey for depth of flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Make Baked Beans Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! These baked beans actually taste better the next day, once the flavors have had time to meld together. Simply store them in the fridge and reheat them on the stove or in the oven before serving.
How Long Will Baked Beans Last in the Fridge?
Baked beans will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. They also freeze well for up to 3 months.
Can I Use a Different Sweetener Instead of Brown Sugar?
Yes, you can swap out the brown sugar for honey, maple syrup, or even agave if you want a different type of sweetness.
What to Serve with Baked Beans
Baked beans are a versatile side dish that pairs well with a variety of main courses. Here are a few ideas:
- BBQ Ribs: The ultimate pairing. Smoky ribs and sweet baked beans are a match made in heaven.
- Grilled Burgers: Classic comfort food that’s perfect for any cookout.
- Pulled Pork: The sweet and tangy flavor of baked beans complements the richness of pulled pork.
- Cornbread: A slice of warm, buttery cornbread on the side is a perfect way to scoop up every last bite of those beans.
- Coleslaw: For a lighter, crunchy side dish, pair baked beans with some creamy coleslaw.
Final Thoughts
Baked beans are one of those timeless dishes that can be made in so many ways, but this recipe hits all the right notes—sweet, smoky, tangy, and just downright delicious. Whether you’re serving them at a BBQ, a family dinner, or bringing them to a potluck, you really can’t go wrong.
So, gather your ingredients, throw on an apron, and get ready to make a batch of baked beans that your family and friends will be raving about!
Baked Beans
Ingredients
- 10 slices bacon chopped
- 1 yellow onion finely chopped
- 1/2 bell pepper any color, finely diced
- 54 oz navy or pinto beans drained
- 4 Tbsp ketchup
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 2/3 cup brown sugar light or dark
- 1/4 cup cider vinegar
- 2 tsp dry mustard
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and get all your ingredients prepped and ready. Dice your bacon, onion, and bell pepper.
- In a large skillet, cook the 10 slices of bacon over medium heat until crispy. Once cooked, remove the bacon and place it on a paper towel to drain. Reserve a few tablespoons of the bacon fat in the pan.
- Add the diced onion and ½ bell pepper to the skillet with the bacon fat. Sauté for about 5 minutes, until softened and translucent.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the 4 tablespoons ketchup, ¼ cup molasses, ⅔ cup brown sugar, ¼ cup cider vinegar, and 2 teaspoons dry mustard.
- In a large baking dish or Dutch oven, combine the drained 54 oz of beans, sautéed onions and pepper, crispy bacon, and the sauce. Stir until everything is well combined
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour. After an hour, remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes to let the top caramelize slightly.
- Once the beans are done, give them a final stir and serve hot.