Name: Homemade Baked Beans
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ½ pound bacon (diced); 4 cans navy beans (about 15 oz each); 1 tablespoon ketchup; 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard; 1 teaspoon pepper; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; ½ tablespoon chili powder; 2 teaspoons smoked paprika; 1 teaspoon onion powder

Skip the canned versions and discover how easy it is to make rich, flavorfulHomemade Baked Beanswith simple pantry ingredients. This recipe delivers all the sweet, savory goodness you love about baked beans with a homemade flair!

A white bowl filled with homemade baked beans and pieces of bacon, placed on a white surface next to fresh parsley, a white cloth, black spoons, and part of another bowl of beans.

🫘 These beans actually improve with time as the flavors continue to develop. Make them a day ahead for even better taste, and theyreheat beautifully for potlucks, barbecues, or weekly meal prep.

My 2 Best Tips For Making Homemade Baked Beans

Don’t Skip the Bacon:The flavor of these beans is very dependent on cooking the bacon first and using that flavor-infused pan for the rest of the ingredients. Even those little browned bits left in the pan after cooking the bacon add amazing flavor to the final dish!

Just Enough Simmering:Thirty minutes of simmering is usually perfect for this recipe, but watch the consistency. The beans should be very tender but not falling apart, and you want the sauce to thicken enough to coat the beans but not become too dry. (If it reduces too quickly, add a splash more water. If it’s too thin after 15 minutes, simmer a few minutes longer.)

🩷

It seems like every get together I go to has a super yummy dish of baked beans — they’re kind of expected at any kind of potluck style meal!

If you’re wanting a modern baked beans recipe that is close to the brand name you can buy at the store, then this is a great one to try.

Check out the recipe card for some other substitutions you might want to try, too!

How To Make Baked Beans

Ingredients for homemade baked beans arranged on a white marble surface, including bowls of white beans, chopped bacon, ketchup, mustard, dried minced onion, black pepper, chili powder, and garlic powder.

Step 1:Prep ingredients and preheat a large pot over medium-high heat.

A saucepan containing chopped bacon pieces sizzling and bubbling in their own grease on a white marble surface, the perfect base for homemade baked beans.

Step 2:After the pot preheats for a few minutes, add the diced bacon. Cook your bacon for about 5 minutes, or until fully cooked.

A saucepan on a white marble surface filled with homemade baked beans, crumbled bacon, minced garlic, spices, and seasonings, all arranged in separate sections before being mixed together.

Step 3:Add the drained beans and remaining can of beans to the pot along with the rest of the ingredients and stir to combine.

A saucepan filled with homemade baked beans in a thick, reddish-brown sauce, placed on a white marble surface.

Step 4:Cook your baked beans over medium heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Recipe FAQs

Can I make these baked beans ahead of time?

Yes! These homemade baked beans actually taste even better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld together. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Can I make this recipe in a slow cooker?

Absolutely! Brown the bacon first, then combine all ingredients in a slow cooker. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours. This method allows the flavors to develop even more deeply.

Can I freeze leftover baked beans?

Yes, these homemade baked beans freeze beautifully. Allow them to cool completely, then transfer to freezer-safe containers, leaving some headspace for expansion. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.