If you’ve been searching for a comforting and flavorful dish that’s both simple and satisfying, look no further than this Easy Baked Beans with Bacon Recipe. With tender navy and kidney beans swimming in a rich, smoky sauce loaded with crisp bacon bits, each spoonful delivers a perfect balance of sweetness, smokiness, and hearty texture. Whether you’re planning a cozy family dinner or a backyard barbecue, this recipe comes together effortlessly and will quickly become one of your go-to crowd-pleasers.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this dish is how a handful of straightforward ingredients combine to create layers of richness and depth. Each element plays an essential role, from the savory bacon that adds irresistible smokiness to the molasses and brown sugar that bring a subtle sweetness and beautiful color to the beans.
- Bacon (1 pound, cut into small pieces): Provides smoky, crispy bits that elevate the texture and flavor.
- Onion (1/2 medium, chopped): Adds natural sweetness and a little bite to balance the sauce.
- Navy beans (2 cans, drained): These creamy white beans give a soft, tender base to the dish.
- Red kidney beans (2 cans, drained): Adds heartiness and a contrasting texture to the navy beans.
- Molasses (1/4 cup): Brings deep, rich sweetness with a hint of bitterness that brightens the flavor profile.
- Brown sugar (1/4 cup, packed): Works alongside the molasses to layer in sweetness and caramel notes.
- Dijon mustard (1 tablespoon): Adds subtle tang and complexity to balance out the sweetness.
- Liquid smoke (1/2 teaspoon): Enhances the smoky aroma and taste.
- Worcestershire sauce (1 tablespoon): Packs umami and depth into the sauce.
- Cider vinegar (1 tablespoon): Cuts through richness with a refreshing acidity.
- Smoked paprika (1 teaspoon): Contributes warmth and smoky flavor in a gentle way.
- Garlic powder (1/2 teaspoon): Adds an aromatic background note.
- Black pepper (to taste): Freshly ground for mild heat and earthiness.
- Tomato paste (1 can, 5.5 ounces): Deepens color and adds a savory tomato base.
- Water (1 cup): Helps meld all ingredients and keep the beans tender.
- Salt (to taste): Essential for balancing flavors perfectly.
How to Make Easy Baked Beans with Bacon Recipe
Step 1: Get Your Oven Ready
Start by preheating your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and placing your rack in the middle position. This ensures your beans cook evenly and develop a beautiful, bubbling finish.
Step 2: Cook the Bacon to Crispy Perfection
Using kitchen shears, cut the bacon into small pieces and add them to a large, oven-safe pot like a Dutch oven. Fry over medium-high heat until the bacon is nicely crispy, which usually takes about 20 minutes. This process not only crisps the bacon but also releases flavorful fat that will become the foundation of your dish’s richness.
Step 3: Whisk Together Your Flavorful Sauce
While the bacon is cooking, combine molasses, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, liquid smoke, Worcestershire sauce, cider vinegar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, tomato paste, and water in a medium bowl. Whisk everything together until smooth and well combined. This sauce is the magic that brings your beans to life with its balanced sweet, tangy, and smoky notes.
Step 4: Drain Excess Bacon Fat
Once the bacon is crispy, pour off most of the bacon fat from the pot, leaving just enough to coat the beans and give them that gorgeous depth of flavor. This step prevents the dish from becoming too greasy while still maintaining a luscious mouthfeel.
Step 5: Sauté the Onion
Add the chopped onion to the pot with the reserved bacon fat and cook for a few minutes until it softens and turns translucent. This gentle sauté mellows the onion’s sharpness and adds a hint of sweetness, building another flavor layer.
Step 6: Combine Beans and Sauce
Next, stir in the drained navy and kidney beans along with the prepared sauce. Mix everything thoroughly so the sauce evenly coats all the beans. This step ensures every bite bursts with flavor.
Step 7: Bake Your Beans
If you’re using a Dutch oven, simply place it uncovered in your preheated oven and bake the beans for 45 minutes. If you don’t have a Dutch oven, transfer the mixture to a large baking dish or pan before baking. During this time, the sauce thickens beautifully, and the beans soak up all those delicious flavors.
Step 8: Season to Taste
Once out of the oven, taste your beans and adjust salt and pepper as needed. This final seasoning step perfects the dish, bringing all the flavors together harmoniously.
How to Serve Easy Baked Beans with Bacon Recipe
Garnishes
Top your Easy Baked Beans with Bacon Recipe with freshly chopped parsley or scallions for a pop of color and freshness. For an extra kick, a light sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes or a drizzle of hot sauce can add a delightful contrast to the rich flavors.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs wonderfully with classic barbecue staples like grilled sausages, cornbread, and coleslaw. You can also serve it alongside roasted vegetables or a crisp green salad to add balance to your meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For gatherings, serve your baked beans in individual ramekins topped with a slice of crisp bacon or a dollop of sour cream. Another fun idea is to use the beans as a hearty topping for baked potatoes or as a filling for a savory breakfast burrito to mix things up.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Easy Baked Beans with Bacon Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will keep well for up to 4 days, making them perfect for quick lunches or adding to dinner the next day.
Freezing
These beans also freeze beautifully. Portion them into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge for best results.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave until warmed through. If the beans feel too thick after refrigerating or freezing, stir in a splash of water to loosen the sauce before reheating.
FAQs
Can I use other types of beans in this recipe?
Absolutely! While navy and kidney beans are classic, you can experiment with pinto beans, black beans, or even cannellini beans. Just be sure they’re cooked and drained before adding to the recipe.
Is there a vegetarian version of Easy Baked Beans with Bacon Recipe?
You can omit the bacon and substitute with smoked paprika and a bit of liquid smoke for that smoky flavor. Adding sautéed mushrooms or smoked tofu can also add a savory element to keep it hearty.
Can I prepare this in a slow cooker?
Yes! Brown the bacon and onions first, then add all ingredients to your slow cooker. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours. Just keep in mind the texture won’t be quite the same as oven-baked, but still delicious!
How sweet or smoky is this recipe?
This recipe strikes a lovely balance thanks to the molasses and brown sugar adding sweetness, and the bacon, liquid smoke, and smoked paprika bringing a smoky undertone without overpowering the beans.
Can I make this recipe spicier?
Definitely! Add a pinch of cayenne pepper, chopped jalapeños, or hot sauce either during cooking or as a garnish to give your baked beans some heat.
Final Thoughts
Once you try this Easy Baked Beans with Bacon Recipe, you’ll see why it’s a beloved comfort food classic. It’s rich, satisfying, and surprisingly simple to pull together, packing bold smoky and sweet flavors in every bite. Whether as a hearty side or a main dish, this recipe is sure to become a cherished favorite in your kitchen. Go ahead, treat yourself and your family to some warm, bacon-infused goodness that’s perfect any time of year!
Print
Easy Baked Beans with Bacon Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 65 minutes
- Total Time: 75 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Easy Baked Beans with Bacon recipe delivers a hearty and flavorful side dish perfect for gatherings or comforting meals. Tender navy and red kidney beans are slow baked with crispy bacon, smoky spices, molasses, and a rich tomato sauce, creating a delicious balance of sweet, smoky, and savory flavors.
Ingredients
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound bacon (cut into small pieces)
- 1/2 medium onion (chopped)
Beans
- 2 (15 fluid ounce) cans navy beans (drained)
- 2 (15 fluid ounce) cans red kidney beans (drained)
Sauce and Seasonings
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 (5.5 ounce) can tomato paste
- 1 cup water
- Pepper (to taste)
- Salt (to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and position the oven rack in the middle.
- Cook Bacon: Cut the bacon into small pieces and add them to a large, oven-safe pot such as a Dutch oven. Fry over medium-high heat until crispy, about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Prepare Sauce: While bacon cooks, combine molasses, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, liquid smoke, Worcestershire sauce, cider vinegar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, tomato paste, and water in a medium bowl. Whisk together until smooth.
- Drain Bacon Fat: Once bacon is crispy, drain most of the fat from the pot, leaving a small amount to add flavor.
- Sauté Onion: Add the chopped onion to the pot and cook for a few minutes until softened and translucent.
- Add Beans and Sauce: Stir in the drained navy and kidney beans along with the prepared sauce. Mix thoroughly to coat all the beans.
- Bake Beans: Place the Dutch oven uncovered into the preheated oven or transfer everything to a large baking dish if needed. Bake for 45 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and sauce to thicken.
- Season and Serve: Remove from oven, taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as desired. Serve warm as a hearty side or main dish.
Notes
- Use a Dutch oven for easy stovetop to oven cooking. If unavailable, use a skillet for bacon and onion, then transfer to a baking dish.
- Adjust sweetness by varying molasses and brown sugar amounts.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili flakes.
- This dish can be made ahead and reheated; flavors deepen overnight.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and freeze well for up to 3 months.
