Baked beans are a classic comfort food—sweet, savory, and perfect as a side for BBQs, breakfasts, or dinners 🍲🥓
Here’s a simple homemade baked beans recipe:
Baked Beans (Oven Method)
Ingredients
- 4 cups cooked navy or great northern beans (or 2 cans, drained and rinsed)
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp molasses
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- Salt & black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven: 350°F (175°C)
- Cook bacon & aromatics:
In a skillet, cook bacon until crispy. Remove bacon, sauté onion and garlic in bacon fat until soft. - Mix beans:
In a large oven-safe dish, combine beans, cooked bacon, onions, garlic, ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, mustard, Worcestershire, and paprika. Stir well. - Bake:
Cover and bake for 45–60 minutes, stirring occasionally. Uncover for the last 10–15 minutes to thicken sauce if desired. - Serve:
Hot, as a side or main dish.
Tips
- For a sweeter flavor, add more brown sugar or a splash of maple syrup.
- For a smokier flavor, use smoked paprika or add a bit of liquid smoke.
- Canned beans work fine for a shortcut—just reduce baking time to 30–40 minutes.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day!
If you want, I can also give a slow-cooker baked beans version that’s even easier and hands-off.
