It’s not a cookout without baked beans, and this easy recipe is my favorite! While canned baked beans can be good, this homemade baked bean recipe is so much better with tons of flavor and a rich, tangy, and slightly sweet sauce. If you’re looking for more amazing recipes for your next cookout, try these grilled veggie kabobs, grilled spatchcock chicken, juicy steak on the grill, or yummy cherry pie! This red, white, and blue layer cake is perfect for July 4th!
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
Ingredients Used
Here’s what you’ll need to make baked beans:
Bacon: Everything’s better with bacon! I always add it to my baked beans. Onion: I love the sweet flavor of sautéed onions. It adds a great savory pop to the baked bean sauce, too. Green bell pepper: Pepper is one of my favorite seasonings, so bell peppers are the perfect vegetable for me. By the time this recipe is done, you’ll barely be able to find the peppers but the flavor remains! Navy beans: I always use canned beans for this recipe because it’s faster. You can always use dried navy beans, pinto beans, or kidney beans, too. Be sure to soak them first! Brown sugar: This is one of the key ingredients for beans that are a little sweet. It also adds that rich brown color to the sauce. Ketchup: The spice blend in ketchup is great for so many sauces and marinades. Ketchup will give you that old fashioned baked beans flavor that we all love. Mustard: You can use dry mustard or Dijon mustard for this baked bean recipe. I usually use dry mustard, but anything works in a pinch. Vinegar: For that perfect slight tanginess, use distilled white or apple cider vinegar for this recipe.
Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
How to Make Baked Beans
Follow these steps for the best homemade baked beans you’ll have all summer long:
Tips and Tricks
If you’re new to making baked beans in the oven, these tips will help you nail this side dish recipe for your family dinner:
Make it the night before. I think the flavors of the sauce meld more into the beans as they sit. Make this the night before your party for an easy side dish in a flash. Use a slow cooker. Want an even easier recipe? Cook the bacon and veggies as directed, then throw everything in the Crockpot and let it simmer for a few hours. Keep stirring every few hours so nothing sticks to the sides. It’s so easy! Make it your own. If you want a sweeter version or a more tangy side dish, you can tweak the ingredients to make your favorite baked beans. Keep it vegetarian. I love baked beans with bacon, but sometimes you need a vegetarian side dish for your guests. Simply remove the bacon! You can always add a dash of liquid smoke to make up for the lost smokiness of the bacon, too.
Other Easy Summer Recipes I Love
Grilled Shrimp Kabobs Creamed Corn Mexican Chicken Marinade Watermelon Salad with Feta Cheese Summer Coleslaw Blackberry Cobbler 4th of July Cupcakes Chocolate Pudding Shots
Now that you’re a pro at making baked beans, you’ll never look back! I make this recipe all year long, but especially in the summer with grilled chicken or hot dogs. Make sure to Pin this recipe so more people can enjoy it too! © Little Sunny Kitchen
