Go Back
+ servings

Best Baked Beans

The BEST Baked Beans EVER! These are the perfect combo of tangy, sweet and savory with only 15 minutes of prep! They are a MUST at every potluck, cookout and summer barbecue!
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 10 -12 servings

Ingredients

  • 8 oz. thick cut bacon chopped small (1/4”)
  • 1/2 large red onion chopped
  • 2-3 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 16 oz. cans pinto beans drained and rinsed
  • 2 16 oz. cans navy beans drained and rinsed
  • Sauce
  • 1/2 cup sweet barbecue sauce like Sweet Baby Rays
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons molasses
  • 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke
  • 1/2 tsp EACH chili powder, smoked paprika
  • 1/4 tsp EACH pepper, dried thyme

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Cook bacon in a large cast iron skillet over medium high heat. Remove to paper towel lined plate.
  • Drain all but 2 tablespoons of the bacon grease. Add onions and cook until they begin to caramelize, approximately 5-7 minutes. Add garlic and cook an additional 30 seconds. Remove from heat.
  • Add all of the “Sauce” ingredients to a 9x13 pan. Whisk to combine. Add beans, bacon, onions/garlic and stir until evenly combined. Spread into an even layer and cover with foil.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, stir, recover with foil and bake and additional 15-30 minutes or until hot and bubbly and the sauce is thickened to your liking. (For thinner sauce, cook closer to 15 additional minutes, thicker sauce, closer to 30 additional minutes).