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This easy baked beans recipe is not just your average side dish. I’m talking layers of flavor like smoky bacon, sweet molasses, tangy mustard, and just enough BBQ sauce to make it feel like you put your foot in it. We are using canned beans because we’re not spending all day soaking dry ones, but trust these taste anything but basic.
Serve these beans along side some ribs and corn bread. Don’t forget to wash it down with some sweet tea and have peach cobbler for dessert.
This simple baked beans recipe takes canned beans to a whole new level. I start by crisping bacon and cooking down red onions in that smoky fat. Then, I stir in the beans with a bold mix of spices, BBQ sauce, Dijon mustard, brown sugar, and molasses to give them serious depth. Everything bakes together until the beans are thick, bubbly, and packed with flavor. It’s easy, it’s quick, and it always hits whether you’re serving it at a cookout or just want something cozy on the side.
Baked Beans Ingredient Breakdown
- Bacon – Adds that smoky, salty depth right from the jump.
- Red Onion – Slightly sweet and holds up well to the heat.
- Baked Beans (canned) – The shortcut that lets us build flavor fast.
- Salt & Black Pepper – Just enough to balance out the sweetness.
- Garlic Powder & Onion Powder – Basic pantry powerhouses that round out the flavor.
- Cumin – Adds a little warmth and depth.
- Brown Sugar – For that rich, molasses-y sweetness.
- BBQ Sauce – Adds a smoky-sweet note that makes the beans pop.
- Dijon Mustard – Sharpens the flavor with just a touch of heat and tanginess.
- Molasses – Deepens the sweetness and makes these beans unforgettable.
The full recipe with measurements is below on the recipe card.
Commonly Asked Questions
Yes, you can make baked beans a day in advance. Just reheat on the stove or in the oven before serving.
I use canned baked beans. Bush’s baked beans are my favorite. I like to use the BBQ or vegetarian variety.
You can, but that smoky flavor adds a lot. Try a little liquid smoke or smoked paprika instead for a vegetarian version.
Baked Beans Recipe
Ingredients
- 5 slices bacon , chopped, thick cut
- ½ cup red onion, diced
- 28 oz can baked beans
- Pinch of salt
- Fresh cracked black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 ½ tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp bbq sauce
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp molasses
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Heat a medium oven safe pan over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook until crispy. Remove from the pan and set aside. Remove half of the bacon grease as well, you can save or dump it.
- To the same pan add the diced onions and cook for about 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the canned beans to the pan and stir together to incorporate the onions. Next, add all of the seasonings and brown sugar. Give this a few stirs to combine.
- Now add the bbq sauce, mustard and molasses. Stir this together well. Lastly, add in the bacon and stir to combine.
- Place the pan into the oven and bake for 30 minutes. If your pan isn’t oven safe, transfer the beans to an oven safe dish.
- Once finished, remove from the oven, let cool for a bit and serve warm.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
