Experience the warmth of home cooking with Mom’s Oven Baked Beans. They’re a delightful mix of sweetness, tanginess, and rich bacon—the perfect BBQ side dish!
I don’t know about you, but there are definitely certain side dishes that I love eating during summertime. For me, it’s fresh fruit, macaroni salad, potato salad, and these baked beans!
My mom’s beans are something we grew up eating a lot. I always looked forward to a big serving of them. They’re hearty and filled with that sweet, savory, and smoky flavor of classic baked beans. Plus they’re super easy to prep, and the rest is done in the oven! For a complete summer meal, pair them with my BBQ Ribs and Corn on the Cob!
How to Make Oven Baked Beans
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit (150 degrees Celsius).
Step 2: Set a large skillet over medium heat and cook the bacon until it’s crisp. Then remove it and set it on a paper towel-lined plate.
Step 3: In a large Dutch oven or casserole dish, add the diced bell pepper and onion along with the pork and beans, chili sauce (or Barbecue sauce), brown sugar, and pepper.
Step 4: Crumble the bacon slices over the top, then stir to combine.
Step 5: Place it in the oven and bake for 1 ½ to 2 hours, stirring occasionally. The longer you cook the beans, the thicker they’ll get. Keep in mind that as they cool, they’ll thicken too.
Step 6: Remove it from the oven, stir, then let it cool for 15-20 minutes before serving.
- Thicker Beans: The longer you cook these easy-baked beans, the thicker they get because more water will evaporate, and the bean mixture will naturally thicken.
- Thinner Beans: To thin out the beans, you will want to add more water, chili sauce, or chicken broth.
To make baked beans in an Instant Pot or even a slow cooker, follow a similar process as you would for Instant Pot pinto beans. The exception is to include BBQ sauce and bacon in your recipe as you cook them.
Yes, you can mix in different beans. Replace a can of baked beans with drained canned beans, such as kidney or navy beans, if preferred but note that using different beans will change the taste and texture of the overall dish.
There is an endless amount of additions you can make to this recipe. I have added in garlic, sautéed onions, Worcestershire sauce, ground beef, and even ketchup to change the flavor profile of this recipe. But you can add in anything you want!
To STORE Oven Baked Beans, allow them to cool to room temperature, then place them in an airtight container in your fridge for up to 5 days. To FREEZE, store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2-3 months.
To REHEAT, place the beans in an oven-safe dish and warm them in the oven at a low temperature, around 300°F (150°C), stirring occasionally until heated through. Alternatively, reheat in the microwave in a microwave-safe dish.
How long should dry beans be soaked before cooking?
FAQ
What is the safe temperature for beans?
What temperature do you cook beans at?
Should baked beans be served hot or cold?
How do you know when beans are done?
Do beans need to be soaked before cooking?
Pros: They cook faster and more evenly, especially when you’re dealing with larger beans or beans that have been in the cupboard for a long time. Certain beans, like chickpeas, really must be soaked or they’ll never soften. Also, soaking — it’s not that hard. Just dump them in a bowl with some water and go to bed.
What is the best way to eat beans?
The best way to eat beans is to first cook them in a large pot of water, about 4 cups of water to every 1 cup of beans. Adding lemon grass or other herbs to the water can improve the flavor. Once beans are cooked the best thing to do is combine them with cooked rice, this is because beans are low in methionine and rice is low in lysine, so combining them makes a more complete protein.
How hot should food be before serving?
Once your food is cooked to the proper internal temperature or chilled to 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below, it’s important to maintain these safe temperatures before serving. There are several instances in which foodservice professionals need to hold food for extended periods.
How long do you cook beans in the oven?
Bake for 75 minutes, then check: Cover the beans. Put in the oven and cook for 75 minutes. Taste the beans to see if they are soft and cooked through. Small beans, such as little pintos, will often be done at this point, especially if they soaked all night.