You can make homemade baked beans from scratch, but when you can turn your favorite canned baked beans into an extraordinarily delicious side dish, why bother with all the muss and fuss?
By adding a few simple ingredients, you can make homemade baked beans that your friends and family will rave about!
It’s the perfect side dish for family get-togethers, potlucks, game days, summer cookouts, or busy weeknight dinners. Our almost homemade baked beans are the perfect side dish for just about any occasion.
Nothing goes better with hot dogs, hamburgers, and barbecued chicken than our semi-homemade baked beans.
The savory flavor intertwined with the sweet brown sugar and deep, rich molasses will turn an ordinary can of beans into a culinary masterpiece!
Ingredients to make Baked Beans
Start by gathering the ingredients needed to make our easy baked beans recipe. In culinary terms, this is called the Mise en Place, which translates into “Everything in its Place.”
Setting up your ingredients not only helps speed up the cooking process but also helps ensure you have all of the ingredients on hand to make the recipe.
Can I make substitutions to the ingredients?
Of course. It’s all about cooking to your taste preference.
We love Bush’s original baked beans, but you can use any of their signature flavors or your favorite beans to make the recipe.
You can switch out the red peppers for green bell peppers, or if you’re not a pepper fan, leave them out altogether.
We used Dijon mustard, but you can use yellow mustard or dry mustard. If you like barbecue beans, add your favorite barbecue sauce instead of the ketchup.
To kick up the flavor profile, add Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, or a little cayenne pepper for added heat.
How to Make the Best Baked Beans
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
- Add the olive oil to the bottom of a Dutch oven or cast iron pan (something that is deep enough to hold all of the ingredients that is stove top and oven safe).
*If you don’t have a cast iron pan or Dutch oven, use a saute pan to cook the ingredients, then transfer them to a casserole or baking dish. - Place the pan over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, add the olive oil and onions and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently until the onions have softened.
- Add the bacon and garlic to the pan and continue to cook for 1-2 minutes until the garlic becomes fragrant.
*Leave the bacon grease in the pan. - Add the bell peppers and continue cooking for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Add the canned beans (do not drain) to the pan and stir to blend the ingredients.
- Add the apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and molasses to the pan.
- Stir together to combine, making sure to break up any clumps of brown sugar, and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Add the ketchup, dijon mustard, and black pepper to the bean mixture.
- Stir to combine.
- Place the Dutch oven on the center rack of the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 45- 60 minutes.
*Keep an eye on the beans so they don’t dry out.
I know after one taste, you’ll agree these are the best baked beans you’ve ever made.
Store the leftovers refrigerated in an airtight container for 3-4 days. They can be stored in a freezer-safe container for up to two months,
Recipe FAQ’s
You can use thick sliced bacon, regular sliced, or pork belly to make the recipe. I wouldn’t advise using salt pork as it can make the beans too salty.
Absolutely. Sliced hot dogs, cooked ground beef, or cooked ground sausage make delicious additions.
No, but it’s kind of in the name….baked. Just kidding, you can simmer them on the stovetop for 30-40 minutes or in a slow cooker on low for 3-4 hours or high for 1-2 hours.
You can also make them in a smoker.
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Baked Beans Recipe
Ingredients
- 28 oz baked beans Bush’s original or your favorite brand
- 4 slices bacon sliced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup bell pepper chopped (about ½ pepper)
- 1 cup sweet onion chopped (1 medium onion)
- 1 teaspoon fresh garlic finely diced
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup brown sugar light or dark
- 1 tablespoon molasses
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 2 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
- Add the olive oil to the bottom of a Dutch oven or cast iron pan (something that is deep enough to hold all of the ingredients that is stove top and oven safe).*If you don’t have a cast iron pan or Dutch oven, use a saute pan to cook the ingredients, then transfer them to a casserole or baking dish.
- Place the pan over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, add the olive oil and onions and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently until the onions have softened.
- Add the chopped bacon and garlic to the pan and continue to cook for 1-2 minutes until the garlic becomes fragrant.*Leave the bacon grease in the pan.
- Add the bell pepper and continue cooking for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Add the canned beans (do not drain) to the pan and stir to blend the ingredients.
- Add the apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and molasses to the pan and stir together to combine making sure to break up any clumps of brown sugar and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Add the ketchup, dijon mustard, and black pepper and stir to combine.
- Place the Dutch oven on the center rack of the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 45- 60 minutes. *Keep an eye on the beans so they don't dry out.
- Remove the pan from the oven and serve.
Notes
You can also make them in a smoker. Can I make substitutions to the ingredients? We love Bush’s original baked beans, but you can use any of their signature flavors or your favorite beans to make the recipe. You can switch out the red peppers for green bell peppers, or if you’re not a pepper fan, leave them out altogether. We used Dijon mustard, but you can use yellow mustard or dry mustard. If you like barbecue beans, add your favorite barbecue sauce instead of the ketchup. To kick up the flavor profile, add Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, or a little cayenne pepper for added heat.
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