To me, there’s nothing better than a big batch of sauce-y, flavor-packed Baked Beans at a Summer BBQ! I dress up a few cans of pork and beans with thick slices of bacon, brown sugar, sweet onion, molasses, and some extra seasonings for the best baked beans recipe ever. It’s the perfect side dish for barbecues, cookouts, or any time you have a crowd to feed. People always ask me for the recipe; its a favorite that never disappoints.

a large casserole dish filled with baked beans and slices of bacon.

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What’s in this Baked Beans Recipe?

I absolutely love that this easy Boston-style baked beans recipe only requires a few simple ingredients. There’s nothing quite like sweet and savory beans to round out breakfast or dinner! When I was recently in Paris, every breakfast included beans, and now it’s a staple for our family as well!

  • Bacon: Adds a savory and smoky flavor to the beans.
  • Onion: Sweet onion adds sweetness and a slight bite.
  • Pork + Beans: Using canned pork and beans in tomato sauce makes this recipe super easy to throw together.
  • Worcestershire Sauce: Adds depth to the sauce.
  • Sugar: Brown sugar sweetens the sauce.
  • Mustard Powder: Adds a bit of tang to the sauce.
  • Molasses: Unsulphured molasses adds sweetness and a rich, warm flavor.

Variations on Homemade Baked Beans

I love the balance of sweet and savory in this baked bean recipe. You can adjust the level of sweetness by using more or less brown sugar and molasses. Sauté some garlic, bell peppers, and celery with the onions to add even more depth of flavor. Or make them a little spicy with a dash of hot sauce, chili powder, or red pepper flakes.

homemade baked beans in a casserole dish.
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How to Store and Reheat

Store leftover baked beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in a saucepan set over low heat or in the microwave in 30-second increments until warmed through.

How to Freeze

Freeze homemade baked beans in an airtight container or Ziplock bag for up to 6 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Beans and bacon in a white bowl with a spoon.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these baked beans with classic BBQ dishes, like smoked ribs, hot dogs, or grilled pork chops. Add some favorite BBQ sides like coleslaw or corn for a complete meal.

These beans also make a great side to your favorite breakfast foods, like scrambled eggs with bacon, savory bacon pancakes, or pimento cheese grits.

Notes from the Test Kitchen

If you’re not a fan of molasses, try honey or maple syrup instead!

Recipe Card

Baked Beans Recipe

4.50 from 6 votes
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 1 hour
Total: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 10
Author: Becky Hardin
A casserole dish filled with beans and meat.
Add a few extra ingredients to cans of pork and beans, bake in the oven, and you'll have the best Boston-style baked beans ever!
Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.
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Ingredients 

  • 8 bacon slices cut into 2-inch lengths
  • 1 sweet onion diced
  • 60 ounces pork and beans in tomato sauce (4 (15-ounce) cans); 1 can drained, include the sauce in the other 3 cans
  • teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard powder
  • ½ cup unsulphured molasses

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
  • Add the bacon to a cold nonstick skillet and cook on medium heat until some of the fat has rendered, but the bacon is not fully crisp. Set the bacon aside. Leave the bacon fat in the pan.
    8 bacon slices
    Bacon in a skillet on a marble countertop.
  • To the pan with the bacon fat, add the onions and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
    1 sweet onion
  • Add the onions, pork and beans, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, dry mustard, and molasses to the greased baking dish. Stir until combined.
    60 ounces pork and beans in tomato sauce, 1½ teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, ⅓ cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon dry mustard powder, ½ cup unsulphured molasses
    A casserole dish filled with beans and onions.
  • Arrange the bacon pieces over the beans. Bake, uncovered, for 45 minutes or until the sauce is bubbly and the bacon is crisp.
    Bacon and beans in a white baking dish.

Video

Becky’s Tips

  • You can substitute the dry mustard for 1 tablespoon of prepared yellow mustard.
  • You can add in 1 diced green pepper with the onion, if desired.
Storage: Store baked beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Calories: 363kcalCarbohydrates: 57gProtein: 12gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 875mgPotassium: 874mgFiber: 10gSugar: 21gVitamin A: 9IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 140mgIron: 4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment!

How to Make Baked Beans Step by Step

Cook the Bacon: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Add 8 bacon slices cut into 2-inch pieces to a cold nonstick skillet and cook on medium heat until some of the fat has rendered, but the bacon is not fully crisp. Set the bacon aside. Leave the bacon fat in the pan.

Bacon in a skillet on a marble countertop.

Season the Beans: To the pan with the bacon fat, add 1 diced sweet onion and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the onions, 60 ounces (4 cans– drain 1 can and leave the sauce in the other 3) of canned pork and beans in tomato sauce, 1½ teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce, ⅓ cup of brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of dry mustard powder, and ½ cup of unsulphured molasses to the greased baking dish. Stir until combined.

A casserole dish filled with beans and onions.

Bake the Beans: Arrange the cooked bacon pieces over the beans. Bake, uncovered, for 45 minutes or until the sauce is bubbly and the bacon is crisp.

Bacon and beans in a white baking dish.
What kind of beans are baked beans?

Baked beans are most often made with Navy beans. However, Cannellini or Great Northern beans also work well!

Are baked beans good for you?

These beans are high in protein, fiber, potassium, and iron; however, they also contain quite a lot of sugar and fat, so enjoy them in moderation!

Are baked beans gluten-free?

Unfortunately, this recipe is not gluten-free. Some brands of beans contain gluten, and Worcestershire sauce is not a gluten-free ingredient. To make this recipe gluten-free, use a certified gluten-free brand of beans and Worcestershire sauce.

Why are my baked beans bland?

If your beans are tasting a bit bland, they may be overcooked. The longer beans cook, the more they will start to lose their flavor. Consider baking them for a bit less time.

More Bean Recipes We Love

Meet Becky Hardin

Becky Hardin is a wife and mother living in Saint Louis Missouri. She founded The Cookie Rookie in 2012 as a creative way to share recipes. Now, she is a trusted resource for easy cooking around the world, being featured in Taste of Home, The Kitchn, ABC’s Home and Family, and more. Here at The Cookie Rookie she is the editor in chief of all recipes and continues to enjoy sharing her passion for cooking for busy families. She has since founded two additional food blogs, Easy Chicken Recipes and Easy Dessert Recipes.

4.50 from 6 votes (6 ratings without comment)
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3 Comments
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Wes
Wes
September 13, 2023 10:28 am

How about Crock pot?

Samantha Marceau
September 13, 2023 3:54 pm
Reply to  Wes

Cook on low 5-6 hours or high 3-4 hours!

Samantha Marceau
September 12, 2023 9:04 am

Hi Mick, this is a pretty traditional baked beans recipe. Perhaps you’d be more interested in BBQ baked beans, which are a bit less sweet!