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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Homemade Baked Beans Ingredients
- Beans– Traditionally, navy beans are used to make homemade baked beans.
- Bacon– For the best flavor use a thick cut smoky bacon.
- Onion– Yellow or white onions.
- Garlic– Fresh garlic cloves.
- Ketchup/Tomato Sauce– Both ketchup and tomato sauce are used in making the base of the baked beans.
- Sugar– This recipe uses brown sugar for sweetness and flavor. Granulated sugar or maple syrup can be substituted if needed.
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Apple Cider Vinegar– To help balance the sweetness from the brown sugar.
- Mustard– Prepared mustard for additional flavor.
- Molasses– The addition of molasses to homemade baked beans adds flavor and a touch of sweetness.
- Seasonings/Spices– The rest of the flavor comes from a combination of chili powder, chipotle powder (or cayenne pepper powder), onion powder, paprika, salt and pepper.
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!
Homemade Baked Beans Variations
Here are a few suggestions on ways to customize your baked beans:
- Add diced bell peppers for additional flavor.
- Season with smoked paprika for a more smoky flavor.
- Adjust the sweetness to your liking but adding more or less brown sugar.
- Use a different bean. Pinto beans make a great substitute for navy beans.
FAQ About Baked Beans From Scratch
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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Baked Beans from Scratch
Perfect for parties and potlucks. This baked bean recipe is made entirely from scratch. The sauce is the perfect balance of sweet and savory. You are sure to impress your guests with this scratch made baked beans recipe.
Ingredients
Instructions
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Rinse and sort the beans. Place in a container that has a lid. Fill with water, cover and refrigerate overnight.
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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.
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Cook the beans over medium heat for about 1 hour or until they are tender. Drain off and reserve 1/2 cup of the water.
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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.
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Next add in the ketchup, tomato sauce, reserved 1/2 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.
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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!
