Homemade Baked Beans

These smoky Homemade Baked Beans are the consummate Summer side dish. They’re made by simmering them slowly in the oven covered with a sauce that’s perfectly seasoned flavored with molasses and bacon. They’re the ideal choice for any celebration.

Easy Homemade Baked Beans Recipe

Baked beans have many faces and people tend to season them in many different ways. It’s a forgiving dish that allows plenty of room to get creative. I have several different variations in the recipe index. Easy Slow Cooked Country Ribs and Barbecue Beans filled with tender fall apart pork rib meat as well as Root Beer Baked Beans with a sweet sauce. Southern style Barbecue Baked Beans are filled with ground beef and bacon which practically turns them into a complete meal when paired with hot buttered cornbread. How to make Homemade Baked Beans: (Scroll down for full printable recipe.)

• Bacon – In a large skillet cook bacon over medium-high heat until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain, leaving drippings in skillet. Crumble or cut into bite size pieces.
• Vegetables – To the drippings add onion, poblano and red bell pepper. Cook over medium-high heat for 5 minutes or just until softened and beginning to brown. Add garlic, cook for 1 minute longer. Remove from heat.
• Combine – To a large mixing bowl, add beans, ketchup, molasses, mustard, vinegar, liquid smoke, brown sugar, pinto bean seasoning, salt and lemon pepper. Add cooked vegetables and crumbled bacon. Mix until fully combined.
• Prepare Dish – Preheat oven to 325°F. Spray a 3 quart baking dish or oven safe skillet with cooking spray. (Round or rectangular)
• Transfer to Pan – Pour bean mixture into the dish. Top with reserved uncooked bacon slices.
• Bake – Bake per the recipe until bubbly and reduced. Check at 1 hour and lay foil on top if needed, to prevent bacon from over browning.
• Let stand 5 minutes, then serve garnished with chives, if desired.

How to Make the Best Homemade Baked Beans Recipe

These beans are simple as they begin with fully cooked navy beans to keep prep down to a minimum. I always like to include just a few pointers to help you make them:

• Ingredients you’ll need to make easy Homemade Baked Beans: Bacon, diced onion, green bell pepper or poblano pepper, red bell pepper, minced garlic, canned navy beans, ketchup, molasses, yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, light brown sugar, pinto bean seasoning, liquid smoke, light brown sugar and chives.
• Kitchen tools you’ll need: A Dutch oven or 13 x 9 inch baking dish, chopping board and sharp knife, measuring cups and spoons, mixing bowl and large spoon to spread into the dish for baking.
• Should you prefer to make your own navy beans, you can certainly do so. See the next section for the how-to.
• Three cans of beans are needed for this recipe. There’s no need to rinse them, but I typically drain two cans and keep the juices from the third can. If you like soupy baked beans, you may opt to use the juice from two cans.
• Please note: This recipe uses classic molasses and not blackstrap molasses which can leave a bitter after taste.
• If you like heat, consider adding a chopped jalapeno to the mix of peppers for kick.
• You can use more, or less bacon to your personal taste.
• You can make these in any similar size baking dish. When baking in a round skillet as pictured, slice the bacon slices in half so, they’ll fit better.
• Check the beans at the 1 hour point and lay foil loosely on top to prevent the bacon from over browning.
• These beans can be completely assembled in advance then chilled until you’re ready to bake them.
• You can also bake, cool and freeze leftovers for another meal. Store Baked Beans frozen for up to 2 months.
• Store Baked Beans in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in single servings in the microwave or in a saucepan over medium heat.

How to Make Navy Beans from Scratch for Homemade Baked Beans

If you prefer to make the beans needed for this recipe from scratch, you can. To do so, plan ahead so, they’ll have time to soak and soften.

• Wash and pick through beans removing any debris or blemished beans.
• Place into a large bowl or pot and cover with cold water. Keep in a cool place or chill for 8 hours up to overnight.
• Drain the water then place into a deep pot. Allow 3-4 cups of cold water or chicken stock for each cup of dry beans.
• Bring to a boil then lower the heat and simmer covered for 60-90 minutes, just until tender.
• Be prepared to add more water or stock while cooking, if needed to prevent them from boiling dry.
• Add desired amount of salt, herbs or bay leaves for flavor.
• See also how to make The Famous Senate Navy Bean Soup here on United States Senate.gov website.

More Southern Style Beans Recipes to Make

• Keep your grocery budget on track and simmer a big pot of the Best Pinto Beans for supper.
• Easy Slow Cooked Country Ribs and Barbecue Beans are delicious with a side of cornbread.
• Red Beans and Rice are packed with flavor.
• Homestyle Green Beans and Red Potatoes are a summer classic.
• Sweet and tangy 5 Bean Salad.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• Dutch Oven
• Mixing Bowls
• Measuring Set
• Kitchen Utensils