My Easy Delicious Baked Beans
Introduction
My easy, delicious baked beans can be prepared in a few easy steps, or you can spend hours starting with dried beans. Growing up in the South, I never remember them being made with anything other than canned pork and beans, not only for convenience but also because Van Camp Pork and Beans were always available and had a long shelf life. An era when you made the most of what you had. Yes, we often cook low and slow in the South, but it is not always necessary to produce a complex side dish when a simple one is requested repeatedly for backyard cookouts, BBQs, and fish frys.
This easy, delicious baked bean recipe uses ingredients usually found in most Southern kitchens. You don’t need much equipment: a 9 X 9 baking pan ( I mix it in the pan), a mixing spoon, some measuring cups, and a kitchen knife to chop onions. Don’t have an onion available? Pull out the onion powder, grab the ketchup, and some brown sugar, and you are almost there. So relax and stay a few minutes to see just how easy this recipe is. I promise you will use this recipe repeatedly.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
I love a good sweet-and-savory side dish that complements the main meat. This recipe does that consistently. Whether served with hamburgers, hot dogs, BBQ, or fried fish, this dish is a must-have on the table. Works well during the holidays alongside a gorgeous baked ham and as a perfect side for grilling, and will be appreciated at any potluck or family gathering.
Simple ingredients. minimal prep, crowd-pleasing flavor, and an easy-to-make-ahead dish that your family and guests will ask for again and again. Don’t rush off, stay! Let’s take a look at one of the easiest and most delicious side dishes you will ever make.
Ingredients You’ll Need for My Easy Delicious Baked Beans
- Van Camp Pork and Beans
- Chopped onion
- Ketchup
- brown sugar
- Cooked bacon rough chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
How to Make My Easy Delicious Baked Beans
I always spray my baking pan with no-stick spray first. Then measure and add all ingredients to the baking pan, and mix thoroughly. Sprinkle chopped bacon over the beans. Bake as directed.
My Easy Delicious Baked Bean Recipe
No cookout spread is complete without a big spoonful of baked beans, and My Easy Delicious Baked Beans never disappoint. This quick and easy recipe delivers rich, comforting flavor with just the right balance of sweet and savory. No complicated steps required. Whether you’re planning a fish fry, firing up the grill for a backyard BBQ, or feeding a hungry crowd at a casual cookout, these baked beans fit right in. Simple ingredients. Big flavor. And a side dish that quietly steals the show every single time.
My Easy Delicious Baked Beans
Equipment
Ingredients
- 5 slices pre-cooked bacon chopped coarsely
- ½ cup finely chopped onion
- ⅓ cup Hunts Tomato Ketchup (or your favorite brand) For a smokier taste, substitute with your favorite hickory flavored BBQ sauce
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2-15 oz. cans VanCamp Pork and Beans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375℉
- Spray your baking dish and set aside.
- Mix the onion, ketchup, brown sugar, pork and beans together. Pour the mixture into a casserole dish and top with coarsely chopped pre-cooked bacon.
- Bake at 375℉ in the oven for 35-40 minutes. Remove from the oven and keep warm until ready to serve. The beans should have thickened but not dried out. If the beans need to thicken more, bake an additional ten minutes.
- When cooking for a large crowd, I aim to please as many people as possible. This recipe accomplishes that! Feel free to adjust it to suit your tastes. Sometimes, I like to add my favorite BBQ sauce for a smokier flavor, while others might include yellow mustard. Don’t hesitate to experiment and make it your own!
If you tried this recipe, don’t forget to scroll up and tap those stars! I’d love to know how it turned out for you.
Notes
Nutrition
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Flavor Variations for My Easy Delicious Baked Beans
Baked beans, whether you use canned pork and beans or start with dried navy beans, can be enhanced with various flavor variations to suit different tastes. Here are some popular options.
Spicy Variations
- Jalapenos: Add diced jalapenos to kick up the heat.
- Hot Sauce: Add your favorite hot sauce to taste.
Sweet Variations
- Brown Sugar switchout for Maple Sugar: Stir in for a sweeter profile.
- Pineapple: Mix in crushed pineapple for a tropical twist.
Savory Additions
- Switch Bacon for ham or ground sausage. Diced ham works well, and adding fried ground pork sausage is another great variation.
Herbs and Spices
- Cumin and Chili Powder: Add for a smoky, earthy flavor.
- Thyme or Oregano: Fresh or dried herbs can brighten the dish.
Vegetable Mix-ins
- Bell Peppers: Diced bell peppers will add crunch and sweetness.
Tips for Success
Don’t overthink the sauce. Try this recipe as written the first time so you get the idea what it is supposed to taste like. Next time, tweak the flavors to your taste. This is a sweet-and-savory dish, so the brown sugar’s richness and sweetness should come through. If you want it slightly sweeter, add more brown sugar, and adjust the amount of tomato ketchup. If you would like a smoker flavor, which I sometimes do, I will replace the ketchup with a sweet, smoky BBQ sauce or a combination of ketchup and BBQ sauce. If you have family and friends who don’t like chopped onions in their food, substitute dried onion powder. Flavor consideration: dried onion powder is more concentrated than fresh onions, so start with 1/2 tablespoon and adjust to taste.
What to Serve with My Easy Delicious Baked Beans
- Grilled meats of all kinds think Boston butt
- Picnic foods
- Holiday Hams and Smoked Turkey
- BBQ’s
- Grilled Hot Dogs and Hamburgers
- Fried Fish and Shrimp
If you’re already firing up the grill to go with these baked beans, you’ll want to head over to my Grill Like a Pro post next. It’s packed with simple, confidence-building tips to help you grill with ease—whether you’re cooking for a crowd or just getting started. From setup to timing and flavor, it’s your go-to guide for making everything on the grill turn out just right.
Reheating and Storing Baked Bean Leftovers
Since we are using canned beans for my recipe, note that they can last for years if not opened. Once you make and serve your baked beans, leftovers are best eaten within a couple of days after refrigeration.
- Reheating tips- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Transfer the baked beans to an ovenproof dish. Cover with foil to prevent drying out. You may also need to add a little water or broth, then mix it into the beans before baking if they are dry.
- Freezing leftovers- Transfer cool baked beans to an airtight container or freezer bag, leaving room for expansion. Can be frozen for up to 3 months for the best taste. Freezing may slightly alter the texture, but flavor will remain intact.
Conclusion
Simple. Comforting. Dependable. This is the kind of baked bean recipe that shows up whenever good food and good company matter most. It doesn’t try to be fancy or complicated, it just delivers the sweet-and-savory flavor everyone expects from a true Southern side dish. From backyard cookouts and fish frys to holiday tables and potlucks, these baked beans fit right in. Make them once, and they’ll quietly become one of those recipes you reach for without thinking, because you already know how well they work, and just how quickly the dish comes back empty.
Time to try this easy recipe, so when summer is in full swing, you’ll know exactly what you will be bringing to the cookout.
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