Sweet and Smoky Baked Beans (Classic BBQ Side Dish)
The ultimate comfort food that’s perfect for cookouts and potlucks.
KEY INFO
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2.5 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Servings: 8-10
- Difficulty: Easy
- Dietary: Can be made vegetarian/vegan (see variations)
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
- 9×13-inch baking dish or large cast-iron skillet
- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Whisk or wooden spoon
- Baking sheet (to catch drips)
INGREDIENTS
Base:
- 4 (15 oz) cans baked beans, drained
- 8 slices bacon, diced (225g)
- 1 large onion, finely diced (about 1.5 cups)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce:
- 1 cup ketchup (240ml)
- ½ cup molasses (120ml)
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed (100g)
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
METHOD
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large skillet, cook diced bacon over medium heat until crispy (about 8-10 minutes).
- Remove bacon with slotted spoon, leaving 2 tablespoons fat in pan.
- Sauté onions in bacon fat until translucent (5-7 minutes).
- Add garlic and cook until fragrant (30 seconds).
- In large bowl, combine all sauce ingredients, whisking until smooth.
- Add beans, bacon, and onion mixture to sauce, stirring gently.
- Transfer to baking dish, cover with foil.
- Bake for 2 hours, removing foil for final 30 minutes to thicken.
- Let rest 10 minutes before serving.
CRUCIAL TIPS
- Don’t skip draining beans – prevents soupy results.
- Taste before baking – adjust sweetness/heat to preference.
- Check halfway – add splash of water if too dry.
STORAGE & VARIATIONS
Storage:
- Refrigerate up to 4 days.
- Freeze up to 3 months.
- Reheat covered at 325°F until hot.
Variations:
- Vegetarian: Omit bacon, add 1 tablespoon liquid smoke.
- Spicier: Double chipotle powder, add diced jalapeños.
- Bourbon: Add ¼ cup bourbon to sauce mixture.
Common Mistakes:
- Over-stirring (makes beans mushy).
- Skipping the cover (beans dry out).
- Not tasting before baking.
This recipe delivers perfectly balanced sweet, smoky, and tangy baked beans every time. The bacon adds depth while molasses provides that classic rich sweetness. Perfect alongside pulled pork, burgers, or any BBQ main.
