This post may contain affiliate sales links. Please read my disclosure policy.
These Amazing Baked Beans are thick, hearty and perfectly balanced between sweet and savory! Just like your mother made them! They’re the perfect side dish for summer potlucks and outdoor BBQs.
The BEST Baked Beans Recipe Ever
So it might surprise you to know that I actually grew up cooking more than baking. If I baked, it was rare and usually from a box or at Christmas time. Instead, all the baking I do these days grew from my gigantic sweet tooth and a love creative things. But that creative part of me in the kitchen actually began as a kid cooking with my mom. She was rarely one to follow a particular recipe. She often changes things to make them her own and to this day never uses measuring cups or measuring spoons (much to my dismay).
When it came time to make these baked beans and share an actual recipe, we both laughed about how I would have to experiment with measured amounts of ingredients because she never actually measures. So after playing around with it to be sure it was right, I am now sharing her amazing baked bean recipe – WITH actual measurements!
These baked beans truly are amazing and the best you’ll ever have! They were a staple for us growing up and a recipe she often brought to potlucks and BBQs – and still does. These beans are such a favorite of mine, that I rarely get baked beans when out anywhere because they never measure up to this awesome semi-homemade version.
Ingredients for Mom’s Amazing Baked Beans
So lets talk a little about what makes these beans special. Ketchup and mustard are two ingredients that we always start with. I remember making these in the past for people and having them look at me like I have three horns when they see me add ketchup and mustard to beans. But trust me – it’s delicious!
From there, add some brown sugar and onion. Both are staples in delicious baked beans. Naturally I’m a fan of the sweetness the brown sugar adds. And there’s no doubt that onion adds amazing flavor to savory dishes.
And then there’s the meat that makes these baked beans so hearty. This recipe uses both bacon and ground beef, but you could certainly adjust that if you want it. Adding ground beef is a more recent addition in our family. Growing up we often had them with just bacon and they are excellent that way as well. As for the bacon itself, you can most certainly cook your own bacon, but bacon bits were quite common in our home and is most often what I reach for when baking these baked beans. No shame here!
Finally, you had a bit of Worcestershire sauce, a touch of soy sauce and a bit of hot sauce.
Pour the beans into a casserole dish and bake them to your liking! I prefer my beans a little thicker, but you could certainly cook them for a little less time and have them at a thinner consistency. Just keep an eye on them as they bake and remember that they will thicken as they cool, so take them out of the oven a little before you think they will be thick enough.
Beans to Use for the Best Baked Beans
These are semi-homemade baked beans, so they start with baked beans from a can. We tend to use Bushes Baked Beans and always love them, but feel free to experiment with other kinds as well.
When your beans are ready, serve ’em warm! These beans are easy to prepare and always a hit! They have always been a classic for us and I have no doubt they will be a classic for you once you give them a try.
More side dishes to enjoy
Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole
Three Potato Salad
Classic Green Bean Casserole
Pineapple Pasta Salad
Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
Strawberry Feta Balsamic Pasta Salad
White Beans with Tomato and Garlic
Mom’s Amazing Baked Beans
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Side dish
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Amazing Baked Beans are thick, hearty and perfectly balanced between sweet and savory! Just like your mother made them! They’re the perfect side dish for summer potlucks and outdoor BBQs.
Ingredients
- 3/4 lb ground beef, optional
- Two 16 oz cans baked beans
- 3/4 cup finely chopped yellow onion (1/2 small onion)
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup yellow mustard
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 4–5 tbsp crumbled cooked bacon (6 to 8 slices bacon)
- Dash of hot sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and have a 9×13 inch baking dish ready.
- Add the ground beef to a large pan and cook until browned and cooked through. Drain the meat mixture.
- Combine the beef with the baked beans, onion, ketchup, mustard, brown sugar and all other ingredients in your baking dish and spread evenly.
- Cover the beans with aluminum foil and bake for 25-35 minutes, then remove the foil and cool for another 5-10 minutes. I prefer them thicker and chunkier, so I bake them on the longer side. If you prefer them a little less thick, cook them less. Keep in mind that they’ll thicken as they cool. Serve warm.
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 216
- Sugar: 9.7 g
- Sodium: 615.1 mg
- Fat: 10.9 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Protein: 14.1 g
- Cholesterol: 39.3 mg
I made the bake beans was great I left out the mustard because when I eat mustard I get hives. Will make again.
Thanks
Glad you enjoyed it!
I live alone, yet, I am cooking all the time for church gatherings, bring them a meal signup, and other needs for people who have been hurt by life. I know how much it means to a family whe I walk in the door with a meatloaf (recipe from boston market) buttermilk Yukon mashed potatoes (from cooks illustrated.) baked bean and cranberry, white chocolate cookies (recipes from life,love and sugar.) I do not play games when it comes to cooking for others. My friends daughter had to move from Arizona to Charlotte with her parents because her husband left her and two young children to run off to another state with a new woman. At home mother looking for a job now, no money, only loving parents welcoming her back to a safe place to help. i try to bring a dish each week because everyone loves the food. Sometimes the only good they get all week is a good meal. Thanks or all the great recipes
Hi Lindsay! I had a fun time cruising around your website/blog. Your recipe for Mom’s Amazing Baked Beans caught my eye. I love baked beans and I hadn’t had them for a long time. I had everything except the canned baked beans! Our friendly grocery store fixed me right up. I wouldn’t have thought of putting the hamburger in with the baked beans. What a great addition, along with the bacon. We had friends over for brunch and they, and I, loved your recipe. Thanks for sharing!!!
I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed them!
This past fall we bought a quarter beef from my brother’s farm and my husband and I are amazed at how much better everything we make with it tastes! It would be awesome in these baked beans!
Your ingredients are very similar to what I put in mine! Although I put horseradish in mine instead of hot sauce! They’re great!!
Ooohhhhh I like the sound of horseradish! Yum!
It was kind of funny reading your recipe as that’s exactly the way my mother used to make sloppy Joes growing up. She didn’t put bacon in it and I’m not sure about the Worcestershire or soy sauce. She did use more ground beef though. Thanks for the memory trip. Sheryl K.
I have always put all your ingredients in my baked beans but also add a little molasses in as well. Try it, you’ll like it!
The molasses sounds delicious!
Can you bake these in a slow cooker?
I haven’t ever tried it, so I wouldn’t be sure how to advise, but I would think it would be fine.
Someone asked about putting these in a slow cooker. For years I’ve made this recipe without the ground beef only because I served with pulled BBQ chicken. I make the bacon by itself (microwave) and pour everything else in the slow cooker on low for a few hours. If I were to add ground beef (which I have done on occasions) I brown it on the stove along with the onions. I don’t add raw onions to the slow cooker/often leaving the onions out.