Whether you're preparing a cozy family dinner or a side dish for your next barbecue, this recipe for Baked Beans from Scratch is sure to impress. With just a few simple steps, you'll learn how to create perfectly tender beans simmered in a mouthwatering, smoky-sweet sauce. Let's get started!
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Key Ingredients & Substitutions
- Beans – Traditionally, navy beans are used to make homemade baked beans. You can also use pinto beans if that’s what you have on hand.
- Bacon – For the best flavor, go with a thick-cut smoky bacon.
- Onion – Yellow or white onions work beautifully in this recipe.
- Ketchup/Tomato Sauce – A mix of ketchup and tomato sauce creates a rich, flavorful base.
- Sugar – This recipe calls for brown sugar for sweetness and depth. You can sub in granulated sugar or maple syrup if needed.
- Apple Cider Vinegar – Helps to balance out the sweetness with a little tang. White vinegar can be swapped in if needed.
- Molasses – Adds that signature sweet, rich flavor to baked beans. If you’re out, try a touch more brown sugar. Or replace the brown sugar with dark brown sugar, it has more molasses in it.
- Seasonings/Spices – A flavorful combo of chili powder, chipotle powder (or cayenne), onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper brings everything together. Adjust the heat to your taste!
How To Make Baked Beans From Scratch
The full recipe is in the recipe card below.
Cooking the beans separately can help speed up the overall process. I prefer breaking it into two days: cooking the beans on the first day and finishing the recipe the next. This approach is especially useful if you’re preparing for an early event or need extra flexibility in your schedule.
STEP 1
Heat a large pot or Dutch Oven over medium heat. Add the bacon and onion and sauté until the bacon has rendered most of the fat off and the onions are tender and browned lightly. Add in the minced garlic and sauté for 1 more minute.
STEP 2
Next add in the ketchup, tomato sauce, reserved bean water, brown sugar, Worcestershire Sauce, apple cider vinegar, mustard, molasses and all of the spices. Stir well. Bring to a simmer, cover and place in the oven.
STEP 3
Bake for 1 hour. Remove the cover and bake for an additional 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Navy beans are traditionally used for baked beans. Pinto beans and Great Northern beans are great substitutes for Navy beans.
Soaking beans overnight will speed up the cooking process. You can cook beans without soaking them first, it will just take longer to cook them, and you will have to keep an eye on the water level while cooking.
Yes, you can make baked beans ahead of time. They can be made 1 to days in advance.
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📖 Recipe
Baked Beans from Scratch
Ingredients
- 1 pound dry navy beans soaked overnight
- 4 slices thick smoky bacon chopped
- 1 cup onion small diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ½ cup ketchup
- ½ cup tomato sauce
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar lightly packed
- 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons prepared mustard
- 1 tablespoon molasses
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon chipotle powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons paprika regular or smoked
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ cup reserved bean water
Instructions
- Rinse and sort the beans. Place in a container that has a lid. Fill with water, cover and refrigerate overnight.
- After soaking the beans overnight pour off the water, add the beans to a large pot. Cover with fresh water, about 1 inch above the beans.
- Cook the beans over medium heat for about 1 hour or until they are tender. Drain off and reserve ½ cup of the water.
- Preheat an oven to 350°F. Heat a large pot or Dutch Oven over medium heat. Add the bacon and onion and sauté until the bacon has rendered most of the fat off and the onions are tender and browned lightly. Add in the minced garlic and sauté for 1 more minute.
- Next add in the ketchup, tomato sauce, reserved ½ cup of bean water, brown sugar, Worcestershire Sauce, apple cider vinegar, mustard, molasses and all of the spices. Stir well. Bring to a simmer, cover and place in the oven.
- Bake for 1 hour. Remove the cover and bake for an additional 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy!
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