Easy Baked Beans | A Simple Recipe for Deliciousness
These easy baked beans are hearty enough to eat as a meal and make a great dish for potlucks. This recipe starts with canned beans for a dish that’s easy to make but tastes like it simmered all day long!
Though the Fourth of July has passed, summer cookouts are still on the horizon. Uncle Jake’s easy baked beans have become a staple for any gathering in my household. I always keep the ingredients on hand as they are a crowd pleaser at potlucks!
If you’re aiming for homemade flavor—savory, sweet, and tangy—without the lengthy preparation, you’re in the right spot!
Homemade Baked Beans Using Canned Beans
In the Midwest, no potluck is complete without two essential sides: macaroni salad and baked beans. Honestly, it doesn’t matter what the main dish is—be it grilled pork chops, hot dogs, or cheeseburgers—just serve them with a generous helping of carbs and beans!
Don’t forget a veggie pizza appetizer and a slice of pineapple cake for dessert! Us Midwesterners truly know how to celebrate.
However, making baked beans from scratch can feel like a chore, involving soaking dried beans overnight and cooking them for hours. This easy baked beans recipe, which starts with canned beans, is a game changer.
Some might regard these as “doctored up” baked beans, but I prefer to label them as homemade since they require more effort than simply warming up a can of baked beans. Especially since these beans are hearty enough to serve as a main dish paired with a salad and crusty bread or biscuits. Seriously, don’t knock it until you’ve tried it!
Making These Easy Baked Beans
This recipe utilizes basic pantry ingredients, requiring minimal hands-on time. You can even prepare them ahead for any upcoming parties or cookouts!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Make sure to keep these ingredients on hand throughout the summer, so you can whip them up for any last-minute gatherings:
- ½ pound diced bacon
- ½ pound ground beef
- 1 large diced onion
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup lightly packed light brown sugar
- ¼ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup barbecue sauce
- 1-2 tablespoons molasses
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
- 2 (28-ounce) cans Bush’s Original baked beans
Even though we’re starting with canned beans, I promise that we’re going to elevate them enough that no one will suspect they weren’t made from scratch. I like adding a can of kidney beans for some extra flavor and texture, but if they aren’t your favorite, navy beans or cannellini beans work just as well.
For a heartier batch, adding bacon and ground beef gives these beans tremendous flavor. If pork is off your menu, you can simply omit the bacon and double the ground beef. Just remember to choose vegetarian baked beans as the original varieties contain pork.
I typically use yellow mustard, but feel free to substitute with dijon or whole grain mustard, depending on your preference. For those looking for a bit of spice, adding crushed red pepper flakes can provide a delightful kick while remaining optional.
Preparing This Recipe
Start with a large skillet; an oven-safe skillet is best so you won’t need to transfer the beans to a separate baking dish. Begin by browning the bacon, ground beef, and diced onion. While that cooks, mix together a zesty sauce using ketchup, barbecue sauce, molasses, granulated sugar, and spices. This sauce is what elevates these baked beans to another level!
After the meat has browned, drain the excess fat and return the mixture to the skillet. Next, add the sauce and beans, stirring everything together until well combined.
If your skillet isn’t oven-safe, transfer the mixture into a baking dish. Bake uncovered at 350°F for 1 hour and 15 minutes. When they come out, they’ll be hot, bubbly, and have delicious caramelized spots—where the sugars work their magic!
Easy Baked Beans in the Slow Cooker
You can make these baked beans in a slow cooker if you prefer. Start by browning the meat and onions in a skillet as indicated. Then, combine everything in the slow cooker and cook on low for about 4 hours.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
If you’re prepping for a big event, you can easily make these baked beans ahead of time. Assemble the beans according to the recipe, then transfer the mixture to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
When you’re ready to bake, let the beans sit at room temperature while the oven preheats and then bake as directed. Any leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for a month.
