Best Baked Beans

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Baked beans are a summer and BBQ staple and this version is packed with great flavor, sweetened with brown sugar, and topped with bacon!

I often serve these as a side to burgers and hot dogs along with our coleslaw recipe.

Baked Beans

I’ve used this recipes for years and years. Nearly 20, to be exact. My nephew was on spring break visiting our hometown with his soccer team. We invited him and as many kids as he could fit in his car to our house for dinner one night.

I can’t recall what we made as the main dish, but these beans were on the menu. It was the first time I’d made homemade baked beans. And, it wasn’t the last. I’ve tweaked the recipe over the years, improving here and there.

It’s a recipe that you can’t really screw up. I’ve doubled it, made it in a 9×13 dish. Placed strips of bacon on top, mixed in cut up bacon, and everytime it turns out great!

I hope this becomes your go-to baked bean recipe too.

Baked Beans Ingredients

bowls of the ingredients for baked beans

pork and beans – don’t buy baked beans. Start with plain pork and beans.

brown sugar – packed brown sugar, this give the perfect sweetness

onion – chop is finely so it cooks well and isn’t in big chunks

ketchup – this will add a layer of rich flavor

mustard – use prepared mustard instead of powdered mustard. If you have to use powdered mustard, be sure to mix it in well

Worcestershire – adds some tang

red wine vinegar – also adds another tangy flavor dimension, without overwhelming

salt and pepper – this is to taste. I recommend seasoning the mixture before putting the bacon on top

bacon – two slices (sometimes I put as many as 5!)

How to Make Homemade Baked Beans

baked beans in dish with onion, brown sugar, mustard, and ketchup.

We take one shortcut and start with a can of pork and beans. Don’t use baked beans or you’ll get too much other flavorings in the final dish. By starting with pork and beans, you’ll get the mildness and not have to worry about soaking beans and starting completely from scratch!

Which Beans Should I Use?

People often ask which beans are used in baked beans? The answers is, it depends. Some people start from scratch and soak beans, then flavor them.

Our recipe keeps it pretty simple and starts with pork and beans. These are just navy beans with a tiny bit more flavor because of the added pork.

What Do You Eat with Baked Beans?

Anything! No, not really. They are best on the side of a picnic-like meal. Think of meat on the grill (steak, hamburgers, hot dogs) and also pulled pork.

casserole dish with servings of baked beans next to it

What Vegetable To Serve with Beans?

You can serve a salad, slices of tomatoes, or any raw vegetable too.

Want More Side Dishes?

Broccoli salad
Instant Pot corn on the cob
Cornbread