Homemade Baked Beans
Oh boy! My mouth is watering just thinking about these baked beans. They are the perfect side dish for any BBQ, potluck, picnic, or family dinner. Sweet, savory, smoky, and packed with flavor, these homemade baked beans are one of those classic comfort foods everyone goes back for seconds of.
Growing up, it was a tradition in our house that the first weekend in April (Conference weekend for the Church Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) we would always have a big BBQ meal on Sunday. We would have grilled chicken, baked beans, deviled eggs, and a fresh salad. It became one of those family traditions that you look forward to all year long.
What makes this baked beans recipe extremely special to me is that I recently found out this recipe originally came from my grandma. My grandma was one amazing lady. I remember her spending hours in the kitchen working on canning projects, throwing the best holiday parties, and making everyone feel loved and welcome. It was guaranteed that you could always find a treat or snack when you went to visit.
Food has a funny way of bringing back memories, and every time I make these homemade baked beans, I think about family gatherings, warm summer evenings, and crowded tables full of laughter and good food.
Growing up, my mom always made baked beans in different ways. Sometimes we would have simple baked beans, and other times she would dress them up with all the good stuff like crispy bacon, bell peppers, onions, and pineapple tidbits. That combination of sweet and savory flavors is absolutely irresistible. It’s like pure joy in every bite.
What Makes These Homemade Baked Beans So Special?
It’s the sauce!
The sauce is rich, savory, sweet, and packed with bold BBQ flavor. In fact, it’s the same delicious sauce I use in my glazed meatloaf and sloppy joes, so you already know it’s going to be a crowd pleaser.
The combination of smoky bacon, tender beans, sweet pineapple, and flavorful sauce creates the perfect balance of flavors. Every bite is hearty, comforting, and full of homemade goodness.
These BBQ baked beans are also incredibly versatile. You can keep them simple for an easy weeknight side dish or load them up with extra ingredients when you want something extra special.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Baked Beans Recipe
- Perfect for BBQs, cookouts, and summer parties
- Easy to make with simple pantry ingredients
- Sweet, savory, smoky, and full of flavor
- Great for feeding a crowd
- Family-friendly and kid-approved
- Can be made ahead of time
One of my favorite things about this recipe is how well it pairs with so many different meals. There is nothing better than grilled chicken with a side of these savory baked beans. They also go perfectly with hamburgers, hot dogs, ribs, pulled pork sandwiches, or even grilled steak.
Tips for the Best Homemade Baked Beans
Don’t Skip the Bacon
Bacon adds so much smoky flavor to the beans and helps give the sauce extra richness. If you love smoky BBQ flavors, this ingredient makes a huge difference.
Let the Beans Bake Long Enough
Allowing the beans to bake gives the sauce time to thicken and lets all the flavors blend together beautifully.
Customize the Ingredients
This recipe is easy to customize based on what your family likes. Add extra bell peppers, onions, or pineapple for more texture and flavor. Some people even like adding ground beef for a heartier version.
Perfect for Family Gatherings
These baked beans are always one of the first dishes to disappear at family gatherings. There’s just something comforting about a warm bowl of sweet and smoky beans sitting next to your favorite BBQ foods.
Whether you’re making them for a summer cookout, holiday gathering, church potluck, or simple Sunday dinner, this easy baked beans recipe is one that people will ask for again and again.
And honestly, recipes passed down from family members always seem to taste a little extra special.
What you’ll need for this recipe:
Instructions:
- Wash the bell pepper and dice. Add the bell pepper to a 8×8 glass pan. Dice the onion and add to the pan with the bell peppers.
- Add in the bacon crumbles
- Add in the Van Camps Beans to the pan with the bell pepper, onion, and bacon.
- Add in the ketchup, worcestershire sauce, mustard and brown sugar. Mix well
- Bake in the oven until warm and bubbly
- serve and enjoy!
Homemade Baked Beans
Equipment
- 1 8×8 Pan
Ingredients
- 1/3 Cup Ketchup
- 1/3 Cup Brown Sugar
- 1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 1/2 tsp Yellow Mustard
- 1 Small Onion
- 1 Small Bell Pepper
- 1/3 Cup Bacon Bits
- 1 28 oz Can Van Camps Pork and Beans in Tomato Sauce
Instructions
- Dice onion and bell pepper and set aside.
- Open can of Beans and dump into 8×8 pan
- Add the onion and bell pepper into the pan and mix
- add in the ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard. Mix until well combined.
- Bake at 375 until hot and bubbly approx. 30- 40 min.
I love the flavor of these!