Experience the warmth of home cooking with Mom’s Oven Baked Beans. They’re a delightful mix of sweetness, tanginess, and rich bacon—the perfect BBQ side dish!
I don’t know about you, but there are definitely certain side dishes that I love eating during summertime. For me, it’s fresh fruit, macaroni salad, potato salad, and these baked beans!
My mom’s beans are something we grew up eating a lot. I always looked forward to a big serving of them. They’re hearty and filled with that sweet, savory, and smoky flavor of classic baked beans. Plus they’re super easy to prep, and the rest is done in the oven! For a complete summer meal, pair them with my BBQ Ribs and Corn on the Cob!
Table of Contents
Recipe Ingredients
- Bacon: Adds a smoky, savory flavor and crispy texture to these beans.
- Green Bell Pepper: A fresh bell pepper adds in a mildly sweet and slightly tangy taste.
- Pork and Beans: The main ingredients adding in a rich, meaty taste.
- Heinz Chili Sauce: Offers a sweet and tangy flavor with a mild kick.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations
- Sweeter Beans: Increase the amount of brown sugar, up to ½ cup. For different sugar variations, consider using molasses, light brown sugar, or maple syrup to add unique flavors and sweetness levels.
- Spice it Up: Add small diced jalapeños, hot sauce, or use a spicy chili sauce.
- Vegetarian Version: Use vegetarian beans instead of pork and beans, and omit the bacon.
How to Make Oven Baked Beans
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit (150 degrees Celsius).
Step 2: Set a large skillet over medium heat and cook the bacon until it’s crisp. Then remove it and set it on a paper towel-lined plate.
Step 3: In a large Dutch oven or casserole dish, add the diced bell pepper and onion along with the pork and beans, chili sauce (or Barbecue sauce), brown sugar, and pepper.
Step 4: Crumble the bacon slices over the top, then stir to combine.
Step 5: Place it in the oven and bake for 1 ½ to 2 hours, stirring occasionally. The longer you cook the beans, the thicker they’ll get. Keep in mind that as they cool, they’ll thicken too.
Step 6: Remove it from the oven, stir, then let it cool for 15-20 minutes before serving.
Expert Tips
- Thicker Beans: The longer you cook these easy-baked beans, the thicker they get because more water will evaporate, and the bean mixture will naturally thicken.
- Thinner Beans: To thin out the beans, you will want to add more water, chili sauce, or chicken broth.
FAQs
To make baked beans in an Instant Pot or even a slow cooker, follow a similar process as you would for Instant Pot pinto beans. The exception is to include BBQ sauce and bacon in your recipe as you cook them.
Yes, you can mix in different beans. Replace a can of baked beans with drained canned beans, such as kidney or navy beans, if preferred but note that using different beans will change the taste and texture of the overall dish.
There is an endless amount of additions you can make to this recipe. I have added in garlic, sautéed onions, Worcestershire sauce, ground beef, and even ketchup to change the flavor profile of this recipe. But you can add in anything you want!
Storage Info
To STORE Oven Baked Beans, allow them to cool to room temperature, then place them in an airtight container in your fridge for up to 5 days. To FREEZE, store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2-3 months.
To REHEAT, place the beans in an oven-safe dish and warm them in the oven at a low temperature, around 300°F (150°C), stirring occasionally until heated through. Alternatively, reheat in the microwave in a microwave-safe dish.
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Ingredients
- 4-5 strips bacon
- 1/2 green bell pepper - seeded and diced
- 1/2 small yellow onion - diced
- 1 (53 oz.) can pork and beans
- 1/4 cup Heinz Chili Sauce - or your favorite BBQ sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit (150 degrees Celsius).
- Set a large skillet over medium heat and cook the bacon until it's crisp. Then remove it and set it on a paper towel-lined plate.
- In a large Dutch oven or casserole dish, add the diced bell pepper and onion along with the pork and beans, chili sauce (or Barbecue sauce), brown sugar, and pepper.
- Crumble the bacon slices over the top, then stir to combine.
- Place it in the oven and bake for 1 ½ to 2 hours, stirring occasionally. The longer you cook the beans, the thicker they'll get. Keep in mind that as they cool, they'll thicken too.
- Remove it from the oven, stir, then let it cool for 15-20 minutes before serving.
I have eaten it before and it was fantastic.
Maybe it was meant to be 1/2 tsp of liquid smoke. 1/2 cup would be way overboard. That stuff can kill a batch of jerky. Use sparingly!
Hi Bob,
You are correct, we have updated it to be 1/2 to 1 Tablespoon of liquid smoke.
Oh my, this is something I could eat with every meal!! They are easy to make & always gone within minutes! It seems like everyone loves them!