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This easy homemade baked beans recipe is a must-have at all of our BBQ’s. Everyone who tries it agrees it’s the best baked beans recipe!

This classic crock pot side dish is great for BBQs and parties and takes just a few minutes to prep. Just dump it in the slow cooker and you’re set!

Baked beans on a plate with a pulled pork sandwich, corn on the cob, and grapes.

A BBQ MUST-HAVe

My family LOVES to BBQ, which is a good thing for me because I LOVE BBQ foods. I didn’t always love it, but it’s my hubby’s favorite, and because of that we’ve had it more often, making me like it more.

Now, when the Lunas BBQ, we go all out. Hamburgers, hot dogs, steak, chips, dips, salads, fruit, and tons of sides are always served.

Two recipes we ALWAYS have are my mom’s Potato Salad recipe (it’s the bomb.com!) and my aunt Georgie’s Baked Beans recipe. Everyone always expects these two items to be there, and they’re always gone before you know it because they are so stinkin’ good.

I must admit that I’ve never been a huge fan of baked beans until I had this recipe. They are just so good and go perfect with a summer outdoor BBQ!

Ingredients for baked beans recipe laid out on the counter.

How to make easy baked beans

I know some people make baked beans from scratch, but you know me—if there’s an easy (and still delicious) way to make a recipe, that’s the way I do it! Our baked beans recipe uses canned beans with a few additional ingredients.

CROCK POT. Combine all ingredients cook on low for 4 hours. Then, for the last hour, crack the lid open which allows the beans to thicken up.

The type of beans used will depend on what brand of canned Pork and Beans you buy! The beans in the pork and beans are typically some variety of Navy Beans. On the label, it might be under any of these names:

  • haricot
  • pearl haricot bean
  • boston bean
  • white bean
  • pea bean

How to thicken baked beans: These baked beans should become sweet and thick and delicious. If you find that the beans are too runny there are a few things that you can do.

  • Remove the lid and allow some of the liquid to evaporate.
  • Smash some of the beans and stir them.
  • Add some tomato paste.
  • Use a cornstarch slurry: In a separate bowl combine 1 tablespoon cold water and 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Mix together and then stir it into the baked beans. Repeat if needed.

In the Oven

Place pork and beans, light brown sugar, dry mustard, bacon strips and ketchup in an oven safe dish. Stir and cover with baking lid or aluminum foil.

PREP + BAKE. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake for 45 minutes. Remove foil and bake 10 more minutes.

Variations + Serving suggestions

Alternative ingredients: British baked beans are navy beans in a tomato sauce. U.S. baked beans take the recipe a little further and add pork (bacon) as well as molasses and brown sugar to make the sauce sweeter and thick. It may also include other ingredients like chopped onion, ketchup, red or green bell pepper, maple syrup and seasoned with garlic salt, black pepper, salt.  Some easy variations of this recipe include: 

  • Use Molasses instead of, or combined with, brown sugar
  • Replace the bacon with diced hot dogs or cubed ham
  • Swap the ketchup for BBQ sauce
  • Add sautéed onions and bell peppers. 
  • You can even spice it up with chili flakes. 
  • Adapt it to your tastes!

What to serve with?

Crockpot baked beans cooking in slow cooker.

Leftovers are just as good!

REHEAT: Place beans in a  microwave safe dish heat for 90 seconds and stir. Heat in 30 second increments, stirring in between, until beans are hot. To reheat in the oven place beans in an oven safe dish. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and bake for 15-20 minutes or until the desired temperature. The amount of beans will affect the cook time.

FREEZE: Allow beans to cool completely. Place left overs in an airtight freezer safe container. Freeze for up to 6 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.

Oh, man I LOVE Baked Beans when we BBQ!! I don’t know why for sure this recipe is my favorite, but it definitely beats any restaurant Baked Beans I have tried. Be sure to check it out and let me know what you think. 🙂

Homemade Baked Beans Recipe served with Pulled Pork sandwiches.

Recipe FAQ

What can I use instead of canned pork and beans?

You can use regular canned baked beans as an alternative to pork and beans.

Do I drain the canned beans?

We like to put the entire contents of the can inside the crock pot, but if you prefer to drain your beans, it will make the final result extra thick!

For more great side dishes, check out:

4.98 from 41 votes

Baked Beans Recipe

By: Lil’ Luna
Easy Homemade Baked Beans is a must-have at all of our BBQ's. Everyone who tries it agrees it's the best baked beans recipe!
Servings: 6
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 4 hours
Total: 4 hours 5 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 2 30 oz cans pork and beans
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp dry mustard
  • 6 slices uncooked bacon cut up
  • 1/2 cup ketchup

Instructions 

  • Mix all ingredients together and put into a crock pot. Cook on LOW heat for 5 hours.
  • For last hour, take the lid half off and let it continue to cook. Having the lid half off will allow it to thicken up. ENJOY warm.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 218kcal, Carbohydrates: 32g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 14mg, Sodium: 336mg, Potassium: 143mg, Sugar: 31g, Vitamin A: 105IU, Vitamin C: 0.8mg, Calcium: 26mg, Iron: 0.4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
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About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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Recipe Rating




50 Comments

  1. Wonderful!! I doubled this recipe to fill my crockpot. Next time I will cut up my bacon. Only used 1 large bacon pack.
    Family loved this recipe
    Thanks

  2. 5 stars
    I love this recepie as is but I have also made it without the bacon and it is still a homerun.

  3. 5 stars
    It doesn’t get any easier than this! The crockpot literally does all the work. It’s so worth the time to put the ingredients in the slow cooker! I’ll never use store bought baked beans again.

  4. 5 stars
    These bakes beans are awesome! The combo of flavors is perfect and I love that you can make them beforehand in the crockpot.

  5. 5 stars
    These are my favorite baked beans for cook outs! I since the bacon stays softer I like to cut it into smaller pieces for texture purposes. Also, I love using ruffles or Lays to scoop and eat these beans.