Homemade Baked Beans

These Homemade Baked Beans from scratch are so good that you will refuse to eat baked beans from a can for the rest of your life!

Savory, sweet and spicy Homemade Baked Beans are a bit of a time commitment, but entirely worth the wait! Flavored with brown sugar, molasses and bacon these beans are slow cooked to give them plenty of time to soak in all the amazing flavor that you expect from this classic BBQ staple!

spoonful of homemade baked beans over the pot with recipe name at the bottom

THROW AWAY YOUR CAN OPENER

Sure, there may be some nostalgia for that canned BBQ baked bean flavor from your childhood, but nothing beats this Homemade Baked Bean recipe! They say good things come to those who wait, and these beans are guaranteed to be the best thing on your plate this summer!
If you need something a little quicker try my Aunt Patti’s BBQ Baked Beans or these zesty Black Beans!

OTHER RECIPES TO SERVE WITH HOMEMADE BAKED BEANS

Ingredients

ingreidents to make homemade baked beans in bowls on a counter

Beans: You’ll need a pound of dried Great Northern Beans.

Meat: These beans wouldn’t be the same with a pound a thick cut bacon!

Veggies: Have one large onion and jalapeno (or two) on hand.

Base: The base of this recipe consists of veggie broth, tomato paste, dark brown sugar, and molasses.

Seasoning: Finally, add in some cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper to taste.

HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE BAKED BEANS

STEP ONE: Start this recipe the night before by soaking the beans in water inside of a plastic container stored in the fridge. The next day, preheat the oven to 250 degrees and place a large, oven-safe pot on the stove over medium heat.

dried great northern beans in a bowl of water

STEP TWO: Add the chopped, uncooked bacon, onion, and jalapeno to the pot and cook for about 5 minutes until the onions are soft.

chopped bacon, onion, and jalapeno in a large pot

STEP THREE: Stir in the tomato paste, brown sugar, and molasses. Now drain the soaked beans, but keep the liquid in a large measuring cup.

brown sugar, tomato paste, and molasses added to the pot with bacon and veggies

STEP FOUR: Add enough vegetable broth to the drained liquid to amount to 4 cups and add it to the pot along with the beans. Once all the components are added, raise the heat on the stove to high and bring the contents of the pot to a boil. Finally, stir in the cayenne seasoning, salt, and pepper and cover the pot with an oven-safe lid. Place the pot directly into the oven for 6-8 hours until the beans are soft.

soaked beans, vegetable broth, bean liquid, and seasoning added to the pot with bacon

Tips for Success

  • If you can’t find Great Northern Beans, Cannellini beans are a great substitute.
  • When measuring the molasses, spray the cup with cooking spray to keep the molasses from sticking when you’re adding it in.
close up of homemade baked beans in a pot after cooking

HOW LONG DO HOMEMADE BAKED BEANS LAST?

Homemade Baked Beans can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. You can reheat them in the microwave or on the stovetop. Make sure to allow the beans to cool to room temperature prior to refrigerating them, but don’t let them sit out at room temperature for longer than an hour or two.

pot of homemade baked beans next to a salt & pepper shaker

CAN YOU FREEZE BAKED BEANS?

Freezing these Homemade Baked Beans is a great option considering how long they take to make! To freeze these baked beans, allow them to come down to room temperature and place them in an airtight container. I like to store my beans in smaller portions in freezer bags. To reheat, you can defrost them in the fridge and heat them in the microwave or on the stovetop.

looking down into a pot of homemade baked beans with a serving spoon

OTHER SUMMER BARBECUE RECIPES

*This post was originally posted on 08/06/2013.

square close up image of homemade baked beans on a spoon over the pot

Homemade Baked Beans

Aubrey
These Homemade Baked Beans from scratch are so good that you will refuse to eat baked beans from a can for the rest of your life!
4.45 from 56 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours 20 minutes
Soaking Time 8 hours
Total Time 16 hours 30 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 541 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Place the dried beans in a food storage container. Cover with water, snap the lid in place, and soak overnight in the fridge.
  • The next day preheat your oven to 250 degrees F. Place a large oven-safe pot over medium heat.
  • Add the chopped bacon, onion, and jalapenos to the pot. Cook for about 5 minutes until the onions are soft.
  • Stir in the brown sugar, tomato paste, and molasses. (Spray the measuring cup with cooking spray before pouring the molasses to help get it out easily.)
  • Drain the beans, keeping the liquid reserved in a measuring cup. Add the beans to the pot.
  • Add enough vegetable broth to bean liquid to total 4 cups and then pour the broth mixture into the pot. Raise heat to high and bring to a boil.
  • Add the salt, pepper, and cayenne to the pot. Stir and then cover with the lid.
  • Place in the oven for 6-8 hours until the beans are soft. Stir and serve warm.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 541kcalCarbohydrates: 62gProtein: 22gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 37mgSodium: 1065mgPotassium: 1266mgFiber: 12gSugar: 24gVitamin A: 192IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 148mgIron: 4mg
Keyword baked beans
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74 Comments

  1. Anxious to try this homemade version. I just made my version for a family gathering. My sister warned me not to go overboard as I always fill my crockpot. Well, sad for her as everyone snatched up the leftovers. I always add ground beef, sausage AND a pound of bacon and onions with mine. It’s more of a main dish than a side.

  2. These look delicious! I was wondering how they taste the next day. I’m planning to make them, but I need to cook them a day in advance for a party. Thanks!

  3. i made these beans a few months ago. They were fantastic! I’m making a double batch for a graduation party this weekend. Thank you for the recipie.

  4. Just made your homemade baked beans recipe and it was amazing. This was the third recipe I’ve tried for beans and by far the best. Thank you

  5. I made these baked beans today. I used chicken instead of vegetable broth, because I didn’t have any. I also added a clove if garlic and about a half of a green pepper. They are delicious! My husband isn’t much for beans but he even thought they were really good. Thank you!

  6. 5 stars
    Wonderful recipe! I made them using a slow cooker on low for 8 hours and they were a huge hit. Already looking forward to the leftovers

4.45 from 56 votes (42 ratings without comment)

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