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.
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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
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
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.
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
Baked Beans
Ingredients
- 2 15 oz. cans pork and beans
- ½ cup brown sugar packed
- ½ onion chopped
- ½ cup ketchup
- 1 Tablespoon prepared mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 slices bacon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- In a 9×9 baking dish, combine the pork and beans, brown sugar, onion, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and vinegar. Season with salt and pepper and mix together.
- Top with bacon slices.
- Bake at 350 for 1 hour, or until sauce is thickened and bacon is cooked.
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?
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Comments & Reviews
Joyce Hutcherson says
My mother made these beans back in the 40s thru the 80s. Best baked beans ever and I’m 81 yrs old.
Alane says
Such a delicious recipe! One of the best to be honest. My family loved it. This will definitely be our go to for Baked Beans! I highly recommend everyone try this. Thank you for creating and sharing this masterpiece. Love and Aloha from Hawaii!