The Best Baked Beans
Sweet, smoky, and packed with flavor, these baked beans are the ultimate side dish for BBQs and family dinners.
Ingredients
- 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
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ⅔ cup packed brown sugar
- 15 oz can pinto beans drained and rinsed
- 15 oz can red kidney beans drained and rinsed
- 15 oz can butter beans drained and rinsed
- 15 oz can beans in tomato sauce
Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Bacon
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a heavy skillet, cook the bacon until crispy. Set aside and let cool. Reserve about half of the bacon grease in the pan.
Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables
- To the reserved bacon grease, add diced onion and bell pepper. Sauté over medium heat until soft and translucent, about 5–7 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Step 3: Mix the Bean Base
In a large mixing bowl, combine:
- Cooked onion, garlic, and bell pepper
- Ketchup, molasses, hot sauce (if using), Worcestershire sauce, mustard, pepper, and brown sugar
- Drained and rinsed pinto, kidney, and butter beans
- Beans in tomato sauce
- Half of the crumbled bacon
- Mix everything gently but thoroughly to ensure even coating.
Step 4: Bake the Beans
- Pour the mixture into a greased or parchment-lined baking dish. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 1 hour.
Step 5: Finish with Bacon
- Uncover, sprinkle the remaining bacon over the top, and return to the oven. Bake for an additional 10 minutes until bubbly and slightly caramelized on top.