This publish might include affiliate hyperlinks. Please learn our privateness coverage.
These straightforward baked beans are hearty sufficient to eat as a meal and make an awesome dish for potlucks. This recipe begins with canned beans for a dish that’s straightforward to make however tastes prefer it simmered all day lengthy!


July 4th could also be over, however there’s nonetheless loads of summer season left and which means loads of cookouts nonetheless to return.
Uncle Jake’s straightforward baked beans are just about a should for any cookout round right here. I all the time maintain the substances for them readily available as a result of they’re an enormous hit any time I take them to a potluck!
If you happen to’re in search of selfmade taste—savory, candy, and tangy—with out all the effort, you’ve come to the proper place.


Do-it-yourself baked beans utilizing canned beans
Right here within the Midwest, it’s probably not a potluck with out two sides: macaroni salad and baked beans.
Actually, it doesn’t actually matter what protein is being served as the primary dish. Grilled pork chops? Scorching canines? Cheeseburgers? So long as you’ve obtained a plate filled with carbs and beans, you’re set.
Don’t overlook a veggie pizza appetizer and a chunk of pineapple cake for dessert!
Us Midwesterners actually know learn how to occasion.
That being stated…selfmade baked beans are type of a trouble to make from scratch. Remembering to soak dried beans in a single day after which cooking them for hours?
No thanks.
This recipe for simple baked beans is basically extra my fashion. I nonetheless think about them selfmade however they begin with canned beans in order that they don’t take without end to make.
I suppose some individuals may think about these to be “doctored up” baked beans. However I select to name them selfmade as a result of they do take extra effort than simply heating up a can of pork and beans. You with me?
Although most individuals eat baked beans as a aspect dish, this recipe is hearty sufficient to function a predominant dish alongside a salad and a few crusty bread or bisquick biscuits. Hey, don’t knock it ‘til ya attempt it!


Making these straightforward baked beans
These straightforward baked beans use easy pantry substances and have little or no hands-on time. You may even prep them forward of time in case you’re on the brink of host an enormous occasion or cookout!
Components you’ll want
I recommend maintaining the substances for these baked beans readily available all summer season lengthy so you possibly can throw them collectively for any last-minute get-togethers. You will have:
- ½ pound diced bacon
- ½ pound floor beef
- 1 giant diced onion
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup evenly packed mild brown sugar
- ¼ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup barbecue sauce
- 1-2 tablespoons molasses
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- ½ teaspoon crushed pink pepper flakes (optionally available)
- 1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
- 2 (28-ounce) cans Bush’s Unique baked beans


I do know, I do know. We’re beginning with canned baked beans. However I promise that we’re gonna costume them up sufficient that nobody will ever guess you didn’t make every thing from scratch.
I additionally like so as to add a can of kidney beans for slightly little bit of taste and texture variation. If you happen to don’t like kidney beans, navy beans or cannellini beans would work effectively, too.
Probably the greatest methods to bulk up a batch of baked beans is so as to add some bacon and floor beef. I really like utilizing each for tons of taste.
If you happen to don’t eat pork, omit the bacon and use a full pound of floor beef. Ensure that to make use of cans of vegetarian baked beans as effectively, because the authentic baked beans include pork.
I usually use yellow mustard in these beans, however you possibly can swap it for dijon mustard, entire grain mustard, or your private favourite.
Crushed pink pepper flakes add a little bit of a kick to the beans, however be at liberty to go away it out in case you favor.
Making this recipe
Seize a big skillet. When you have an oven-safe skillet, use that to maintain from needing to switch the beans to a baking dish later.
Brown the bacon and floor beef with the diced onion.




Whereas that cooks, combine up a tangy and candy sauce with the ketchup, barbecue sauce, molasses, sugars, mustard and spices. This sauce is what actually makes these straightforward baked beans superb!
As soon as the meat is browned, drain off the surplus fats and return the meat combination to the skillet. Add within the sauce you simply combined together with the beans. Stir to mix.


If you happen to didn’t use an oven-safe skillet, switch the beans to a baking dish. Bake at 350°F for 1 hour and quarter-hour.
When the dish comes out of the oven, it’ll be scorching and bubbly with some caramelized spots on prime and across the edges.
These spots the place the sugars within the sauce caramelize? That’s the place the magic is at!


Simple baked beans within the sluggish cooker
These baked beans are historically cooked within the oven, however you should utilize your sluggish cooker as an alternative in case you’d like.
For a crockpot model, brown the meat and onions within the skillet as described. Drain and mix with the sauce and the beans.
Now, as an alternative of transferring every thing to the oven, add it to the crock of your sluggish cooker. Cook dinner on low for about 4 hours.


Make-ahead and storage ideas
If you happen to’re prepping forward of time for an enormous occasion, you possibly can simply make these baked beans forward of time.
Assemble the beans as written within the recipe. As soon as the meat, sauce, and beans are mixed, switch the bean combination to an hermetic container or disposable baking pan. Let cool, cowl, and refrigerate for as much as 3 days.
Whenever you’re able to bake, let the beans sit at room temperature whereas the oven preheats, then bake as directed.
Retailer leftovers in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 3 days or in a freezer-safe container within the freezer for as much as a month.
-
Preheat oven to 350°F.
-
In a big skillet, brown bacon, floor beef and chopped onion.
1/2 pound diced bacon, 1/2 pound floor beef, 1 giant onion
-
In the meantime, in a bowl, combine collectively each sugars, ketchup, barbecue sauce, molasses, chili powder, salt, pepper, mustard, and crushed pink pepper flakes (if utilizing); put aside.
1/4 cup ketchup, 1/4 cup barbecue sauce, 1-2 tablespoons molasses, 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 2/3 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 cup evenly packed mild brown sugar, 2 tablespoons yellow mustard, 1/2 teaspoon crushed pink pepper flakes
-
Drain off extra fats from the meat combination. Return the meat to the pan and add the beans and the sauce, mixing effectively to mix.
1 can kidney beans, 2 cans Bush’s Unique baked beans
-
If utilizing an oven-safe skillet, you possibly can maintain the baked beans within the skillet. In case your skillet will not be oven save, switch the beans to a baking dish. Bake uncovered at 350°F for 1 hour and quarter-hour.
Energy: 499kcal, Carbohydrates: 73g, Protein: 19g, Fats: 16g, Saturated Fats: 6g, Polyunsaturated Fats: 2g, Monounsaturated Fats: 7g, Trans Fats: 0.3g, Ldl cholesterol: 42mg, Sodium: 1225mg, Potassium: 871mg, Fiber: 12g, Sugar: 30g, Vitamin A: 117IU, Vitamin C: 5mg, Calcium: 124mg, Iron: 5mg
Vitamin info is robotically calculated, so ought to solely be used as an approximation.