Oven-baked beans with bacon are everything you love about a classic potluck dish—rich, savory, and kissed with a hint of sweetness. Slow-baked in the oven, the beans soak up layers of brown sugar, spicy mustard, and smoky bacon until thick, glossy, and irresistibly flavorful.
I can’t believe the “4th of July” is this week! What happened to June? This weekend we had an early family get-together, and I wanted to bust out all my favorite summer Independence Day eats! Which meant burgers, potato salad, watermelon, deviled eggs, and my guys’ personal fave…baked beans!
Nothing says summer BBQ quite like a bubbling dish of homemade baked beans fresh from the oven, and when you add crispy bacon to the mix, it takes them to a whole new level of deliciousness! These oven-baked beans with bacon are a tried-and-true family favorite that brings a hearty, old-fashioned flavor to your table with minimal fuss.
My biggest tip for this recipe is to give yourself the 2½ hours’ bake time needed to infuse the flavors and create the delicious thick sauce that encompasses each tiny bean!
This is a quick, easy recipe, so let’s gather the ingredients and get to baking some beans.
Ingredients
- 2–28 ounce cans Van Camp Pork and Beans, in tomato sauce (do NOT drain)
- ¼ cup finely chopped scallions, or white onion
- ½ cup finely chopped yellow or red sweet peppers
- ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1½ tablespoon molasses
- 1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard
- ¾ cup honey BBQ sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ½ pound thick bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
How To Make Baked Beans
Preheat oven to 325°(F). Place the rack in the middle of the oven.
Spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with non-stick baking spray or a 12-inch cast-iron skillet.
In a large bowl, combine the beans, shallots or onions, peppers, brown sugar, mustard, BBQ sauce, and molasses.
TIP: Most baked bean recipes call for ketchup. However, since we’re not draining the pork and beans, which are already in a tomato sauce, I don’t see the need to add ketchup and the additional sugar.
For depth of flavor, I like to add Worcestershire sauce. I used 1 tablespoon, but you can add a titch more if you feel so inclined.
Now to add the “tang” to this recipe! I added ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar. A note of caution here. While cooking in the oven, you will smell the vinegar baking. Don’t panic, trust me, the beans are going to be superb! They need that “sass” to kick up the sauce!
Preparing Beans for Baking
Using a spoon or spatula, give the ingredients in the bowl a good stir until everything is combined.
Pour the bean mixture into your prepared casserole dish, or skillet.
Place the cut, raw, bacon pieces over the top of the bean mixture. I use thick-cut, smoked applewood bacon for a deeper depth of flavor. However, any smoked bacon will work.
Why add bacon to baked beans? I could say “Why wouldn’t you?” “It’s BACON!” In all seriousness, the bacon adds hints of smokey flavor to the beans and the bacon fat…well, that’s Flavor Baby! I say this All. The. Time! Fat equals flavor when it comes to cooking!
Baking Instructions
Place the baked beans in the preheated oven on the center rack and bake for 2 and 1/2 hours until the beans are thick and bubbly and the bacon is slightly crispy and well cooked.
TIP: I place my baking pan on top of a large baking sheet in the event the bean mixture bubbles over so it doesn’t mess up my oven! Cleaning the oven is not my favorite chore!
Carefully remove the baked beans from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes before serving!
Recipe Wrap-up
At this point, you have two options: you can serve them as is, or give them a quick little stir to incorporate the bacon in with the beans. I like to give them a small stir, just enough to bring some beans to the surface. You do you, there is no wrong way to serve this dish!
There’s something special about the way these oven-baked beans with bacon fill your kitchen with a warm, inviting aroma as they gently bubble away.
It’s a reminder of slow, simple moments shared around the table, with plates piled high and plenty of laughter in the air. I hope this recipe brings the same comforting joy to your family that it has to ours, making your gatherings just a little more memorable, one spoonful at a time.
Other Favorite Side Dishes
- Easy Pan Fried Ranch Potatoes
- Classic Red Potato Salad Recipe
- Best Seafood Pasta Salad
- Traditional Hawaiian Pasta Salad
- Strawberry Pineapple Fluff Jell-O Salad
Whether you’re planning a summer BBQ, a cozy potluck, or just craving a warm, savory side to round out your dinner, this recipe will bring smiles all around the table. Wishing you and your family a Happy 4th of July and a wonderful summer!
Happy Nesting Friends!
Printable Recipe
Old-Fashioned Oven Baked Beans
Ingredients
- 2 Van Camp Pork and Beans 28 ounces, Do not drain
- ¼ cup Scallions, finely chopped
- ½ cup Sweet red, or yellow, peppers finely chopped
- ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1½ Tablespoons molasses
- 1 Tablespoons Spicy Brown Mustard
- ¾ Cup Honey BBQ sauce
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ cup Apple Cider Vinegar
- ½ pound thick applewood bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°(F). Place an oven rack in the center of the oven. Spray a 9×13 baking dish, or 12-inch cast-iron pan, with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, add beans with tomato sauce, scallions, peppers, brown sugar, molasses, spicy brown sugar, honey BBQ sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and apple cider vinegar. Stir to combine. Pour into prepared baking dish.
- Arrange cut bacon over the top of the bean mixture.
- Place in a preheated oven and bake for 2½ hours until the mixture is thick and bubbly, the bacon is slightly crispy and completely cooked through. Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes.
Nutrition
About the Author
Meet The Author
Hi! I'm Norine, the cook, baker, and recipe creator behind Norine's Nest. I love sharing and creating recipes that invite family, friends, and neighbors to gather around the dinner table. Sharing good food and creating memories with those we love brings me happiness. Thanks for stopping by my Nest!