The Best Baked Beans

 

Why You’ll Love These Baked Beans

• Flavor-Packed: The sweet molasses, savory bacon, and zing from mustard and Worcestershire sauce make every bite pop.

• Crowd-Pleaser: Serves up to 8 and pairs with everything from ribs to grilled veggies.

• Easy to Prepare: Simple ingredients, minimal prep, and baked to perfection in just over an hour.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what goes into making the best baked beans:

• ½ yellow onion, diced

• ½ pound bacon, cooked and crumbled

• 1 clove garlic, minced

• 1 red bell pepper, diced

• ¾ cup ketchup

• ¼ cup molasses

• 1 tsp hot sauce (optional, for a little kick)

• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

• 1 tbsp yellow mustard

• ½ tsp black pepper

• ⅔ cup packed brown sugar

• 1 (15 oz) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed

• 1 (15 oz) can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed

• 1 (15 oz) can butter beans, drained and rinsed

• 1 (15 oz) can beans in tomato sauce

How to Make Baked Beans

🔥 Step 1: Prep the Oven and Bacon

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a skillet, cook the bacon until crispy. Set it aside to cool, and reserve half of the bacon grease in the pan for extra flavor.

🧅 Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables

Using the reserved bacon grease, sauté the diced onion and bell pepper over medium heat until softened—about 5 to 7 minutes. Add in the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.

🫘 Step 3: Mix the Bean Base

In a large mixing bowl, combine the sautéed veggies with:

• Ketchup

• Molasses

• Hot sauce (if using)

• Worcestershire sauce

• Mustard

• Black pepper

• Brown sugar

• All the beans: pinto, kidney, butter, and beans in tomato sauce

• Half of the cooked, crumbled bacon

Mix gently until everything is evenly coated and combined.

🍲 Step 4: Bake the Beans

Pour the bean mixture into a greased or parchment-lined baking dish. Cover with foil and bake for 1 hour.

🥓 Step 5: Finish with Bacon

Uncover the dish and sprinkle the remaining bacon on top. Return to the oven and bake 10 more minutes, or until the beans are bubbly and slightly caramelized on the surface.

Tips & Variations

• Spice it up: Add chopped jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne if you like a little heat.

• Vegetarian version: Skip the bacon and use a touch of smoked paprika for a smoky flavor.

• Make ahead: This dish tastes even better the next day—perfect for prepping ahead of a gathering!

Final Thoughts

These baked beans are so much more than just a side dish—they’re comfort in a bowl. Rich, smoky, and bursting with bold flavor, they pair beautifully with grilled meats, roasted veggies, or a simple slice of cornbread. Once you make them, you’ll never go back to store-bought versions again.

So go ahead—grab your favorite casserole dish and let these beans steal the show at your next meal!