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A rustic bowl of baked beans garnished with parsley, served on a wooden table

Classic Baked Beans

This classic baked beans recipe combines sweet, savory, and smoky flavors, making it a staple at BBQs, family dinners, and potlucks.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 320 kcal

Equipment

  • Large Skillet
  • Oven-safe Dish
  • Slow Cooker (Optional)

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 4 cups cooked navy beans or canned beans, drained and rinsed
  • 6 slices bacon diced
  • 1 onion diced
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar packed
  • 1 tbsp yellow mustard
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika

Optional Add-Ins

  • 1 jalapeño diced, for heat
  • 1/2 cup pulled pork for BBQ flavor

Instructions
 

  • Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon and set aside, leaving the fat in the pan.
  • Sauté the onion in the bacon fat until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
  • Stir in ketchup, molasses, brown sugar, mustard, and smoked paprika to create the sauce.
  • Add the beans and stir until evenly coated. Simmer for 20–30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • For baking: Transfer to an oven-safe dish and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45 minutes, uncovering for the last 15 minutes.
  • For slow cooking: Transfer to a slow cooker and cook on low for 6–8 hours or high for 3–4 hours.

Notes

For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and use smoked paprika or liquid smoke for flavor.
Keyword BBQ, Comfort Food, Savory