How long it takes: just over two hours, mostly hands off Equipment you’ll need: baking dish, small bowl, and a spoon Servings: 8 generous servings Popular at get-togethers! Bring these baked beans to your next family party, reunion, potluck, or picnic. I guarantee you won’t be bringing any home with you. Everyone will be asking for your recipe. They go great with grilled burgers, hot dogs and sloppy Joes. I love to serve baked beans with my Instant Pot Ribs or slow cooker ribs. For a really traditional picnic, serve baked beans with homemade creamy potato salad and classic coleslaw. Love traditional dishes like baked beans? Try homemade meatloaf, tuna casserole, or cheesy potatoes. For dessert, Texas sheet cake is a traditional favorite.
About these baked beans
Better consistency than canned beans. One thing I really like about these beans is that they aren’t super runny. Sometimes you need a bowl for your beans or the juice runs all over your plate. This recipe makes a thicker, more sticky baked bean casserole that stays put on your plate. Easy prep. These beans don’t have a lot of fancy ingredients and are easy to make. It shouldn’t take you more than fifteen minutes to prepare them. Bake time is flexible. Baked beans need to bake awhile, two hours, more or less. Don’t worry about timing things exactly. Baked beans are pretty easy going. If you aren’t ready to serve them, cover the pan with foil and leave them in the oven on low heat until it’s time to eat. Here’s a quick rundown of the recipe with a few extra tips and ideas.
Ingredient Notes
Canned beans: A large jar of great Northern beans, along with over-sized butter beans, gives a nice textural contrast. If you’d prefer to use all great Northern beans, that’s totally fine too. Whatever type you use, make sure to rinse and drain them. Onion: Lots of chopped onion go into these beans. They’ll cook down so don’t worry about finding chunks of onion in the beans. Any type of onion works, but we love a sweet onion. Bacon: Bacon adds a nice smoky salty flavor to the beans. Keep reading for variations. Ketchup: A good amount of ketchup adds tomato tanginess and gives the beans a nice saucy consistency. We like to choose a variety without high-fructose corn syrup, but pick your favorite. Dark Brown Sugar: Light brown sugar can be substituted, too. Adjust the amount according to how sweet you like baked beans. Molasses: You’ll find that molasses adds so much flavor to beans. Don’t skip the molasses! Dijon Mustard: Really, any type of mustard is fine. Even dried mustard would work for this recipe. White Vinegar: Vinegar contributes to the tanginess of the beans. Other types of vinegar are fine, too, especially cider vinegar. Avoid balsamic vinegar.
How to make This baked beans Recipe
Mix the beans, onions, and bacon. Basically, there are two easy steps to prepare the beans for baking. The first step is to mix the beans, diced bacon, and chopped onion in a large baking dish. There’s no need to cook the bacon first. Make the sauce. Using a small whisk, blend the sauce ingredients together in a small bowl or large measuring cup: ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, mustard and vinegar. Combine. Pour the sauce over the beans, bacon, and onions. Stir until everything is good and mixed up. Bake the beans in your oven. Give them a stir halfway through the cooking time. If the beans seem like they’re getting dry, cover them with foil. Sometimes, I cover the beans with foil for the first hour, and then bake them uncovered for the last hour. It’s up to you. It kind of depends on how saucy you like your beans.
Recipe Variations
Vegetarian beans: Omit the bacon. Protein alternatives: If you’re not a fan of bacon but still want meaty beans, try ground beef, turkey, or sausage. Brown before adding it to the beans. Link sausages can be added as well, or even hot dogs. Some people like to place the bacon strips on top of the beans instead of mixing it in. Substitute different types of beans. Choose your favorite variety of canned beans, or use a mixture. If you’d rather start with dry beans, cook them as directed on the package before proceeding with this recipe. An Instant Pot works great for cooking dried beans quickly. Looking for more baked bean recipes? Calico beans with ground beef and bacon are super popular. Cowboy beans are meaty (with kielbasa!) and slightly spicy. Try frijoles borrachos (drunken beans) with a southwestern flair.
Make-Ahead Ideas
Get a head start. While the beans really don’t take too long to put together, if you want to get a jump on things, get them ready to bake up to a day ahead and refrigerate in a covered container. Try Crock Pot Baked Beans. The recipe is very similar but has a lesser amount of sauce ingredients since the slow cooker locks in all the moisture. It’s great for parties because it will stay warm all evening if you leave the slow cooker on warm. If you’re using a glass baking dish, let it come to room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes so that it doesn’t break when you place it in your hot oven.
Storage & Reheating Tips
Store leftover baked beans in a covered container in the fridge for up to 5 days. If they seem a little drier, add a bit of water or broth before reheating. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave until heated through. Quick-Start Guide!
