This post contains affiliate links.
Are you looking for an easy baked beans recipe that will please the whole family? This homemade pork and beans recipe is simple to make and it takes canned pork and beans up to the next level.Â
Ahhhh, summertime! It’s the perfect time of year for potluck dishes like creamy potato salad and Amish pasta salad to shine.
And while we all want to bring a delicious dish to the potluck or party, sometimes we need side dish recipes with a little shortcut.
Because if you're at all like me, you don't always have the time or energy to cook from scratch.
But no one has to know our little secret. You can still show up with an original dish with sweet tangy beans that will impress your friends and family.
My mom took this recipe to family reunions and summer picnics for years and she shared the recipe with me.
Tip: For another variation try this cowboy baked beans recipe.
Baked Bean Recipe
Baked beans are a classic summer dish, don’t you think?
They can be enjoyed on their own or as a side dish, and they're perfect for picnics and BBQs. And lucky for us, baked beans are also relatively easy to make!.
The key ingredient is, of course, beans. I betcha saw that one coming. Depending on the variety of pork and beans you purchase at the grocery store, they may contain navy beans, pinto beans or great northern beans.
They're all mild tasting, thin skinned varieties of beans.
Most recipes also call for sugar, molasses, and spices such as onion, garlic, and mustard. The beans are typically cooked in a saucepan with the other ingredients until they're soft and the sauce has thickened.
Then they're baked in the oven until they're brown and bubbly. In this instance, I’m giving you the choice of the oven or the slow cooker.
How to make Baked Beans with pork and beans
We’re combining all our ingredients in one of two vessels. If you’re baking these in the oven, you’ll need a casserole dish.
Alrighty, we’re using a big can of beans and we’re adding some spices and seasonings to doctor it up. Bacon, of course. My recipe calls for two bacon slices, but you can of course add more if you like.
Some chopped onion, prepared yellow mustard, molasses, brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce all go into the pan.
The recipe is super easy, right? I promise it’s easier to make than it is to pronounce Worcestershire.
Cover with foil and bake it for 90 minutes in the oven or cook in the slow cooker for 6-8 hours!
Can you put canned beans in slow cooker?
Absolutely! You can make the entire recipe in the slow cooker. I like to cook the bacon ahead of time in a skillet.
If you notice the beans seem runny, thicken baked beans in a crock pot by removing the lid about 30 minutes before serving. This allows some of the liquid to evaporate.
You can find instructions to make the baked beans slow cooker recipe below!
How do you reheat baked beans in a crock pot?
Do you know how sloppy joe sandwiches and spaghetti sauce taste even better the next day?
Well, the same goes for baked beans recipes!
You can totally make these a day ahead and reheat them in the slow cooker until warmed through.
FAQS
Yes, you can assemble all the ingredients and store covered, in the refrigerator for 24 hours. Allow a little extra cook time since the baked beans will be chilled.
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container up to four days.
Yes, cooked and cooled baked beans can be portioned into freezer safe containers and frozen up to three months. To serve, thaw and reheat.
What to serve with baked beans:
I love making baked beans for a crowd, especially at summertime BBQs. These beans are great with BBQ pulled pork, turkey burgers, beef, air fryer bratwurst, burgers - really as a side to anything you'd throw on the grill.
Coleslaw and a creamy potato salad recipe seem like a natural foodie match too!
Cook these in the oven or make the best baked beans using the slow cook method. Either way, you should make them. Your family and friends will love them when you kick off your grilling season!
Other summertime and potluck recipes you'll love:
- Roasted Asparagus and Green Beans Salad
- Orange Fluff Jelly Salad
- Easy Cucumber Tomato Salad
- Honey Basil Veggie Kabobs
- Summer Corn Salad
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
If you make these easy baked beans, leave a recipe review or comment below. I'd love to hear from you!
This post was originally published April 2017 and updated April 2022.
Canned Baked Beans Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 strips cooked bacon chopped and pre-cooked
- 40 oz can of pork and beans
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 Tablespoon yellow mustard
- ¼ cup molasses
- 1 Tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
To Make in the Oven
- Combine all ingredients in a 1 ½ quart casserole dish. Stir to combine.
- Cover and bake at 350 for 90 minutes. Uncover the last 30 minutes to brown beans and remove excess liquid.
Slow Cooker Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in crock pot. Cook 6-8 hours, until onions are tender and mixture has thickened.
Fisher Terri
I have been making this family favorite for years and have constant requests for it. I am now alone and would like to make a large batch and pressure process it in small half pint or pint containers for my own use from the shelf. May I do this?
Deanne Frieders
I can't speak to how to process it or can it, but you can also freeze pork and beans!!
Tammy Longmire
Great recipe! I use browned ground round to top it. Not one bean left in the dish and request for future dishes made the same.
Bonnie A
Almost the same way I've mad them for years,but I have always drained the can liquid,personal (personal preference,I think they taste "fresher?") so I add a little more catsup. One of my baked bean meals we called corn dog casserole. Assemble the beans pour into pan,lay hot dogs on topand bake till hot dogs are starting to brown, Then mix 2 boxes of cornbread mix according to directions,scoop over top of hot bean mix till lightly browned. I raised 8 kids and this was more economical (read cheap) than trying to buy that many corndogs!....Loving you site and recipes. Thanks from central Illinois
Deanne Frieders
Sounds yummy Bonnie! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Ann Huffman
This is like my recipe except I don’t use molasses. Instead I use ketchup and crumbled bacon over the entire top. Everything else is the same.
Deanne Frieders
That sounds delicious, too!
Leta
I make my baked beans like this except I reduce the mustard to 1 tablespoon (just personal preference) 😊, add a few tablespoons ketchup and a teaspoon of instant coffee. You would be surprised how that bit of coffee adds to the taste. Love your recipes!
Deanne Frieders
Oohhh, that would be a great way to use a little leftover coffee too 😉