Homemade Baked Beans – Easy, Flavorful & Customizable Recipe

Why make baked beans from scratch? Here’s what you gain:

• Better Flavor
  Homemade means no preservatives, no artificial sweetness — just deep, slow-cooked flavor that tastes real. You control the balance of sweet, smoky, and savory.
• Flexible Ingredients
  Use dry beans for a classic slow-cooked feel, or save time with canned beans. Add bacon, skip it for a vegan version — this recipe adapts to your style.
• Budget-Friendly
  Beans are one of the most affordable pantry staples. Making a big batch at home costs less than store-bought and feeds more people.
• Meal Prep Friendly
  These beans reheat beautifully. Make a big pot, store it in the fridge or freezer, and enjoy easy sides all week long.
• Customizable Flavors
  Sweet and smoky? Tangy and bold? Mild and kid-friendly? Adjust the spices, sweeteners, and extras to make it your own.
• Healthier Option
  Ditch the canned sugars and additives. You choose the ingredients, and that means cleaner eating without sacrificing taste

What you’ll need for a flavorful pot of homemade baked beans

Base Ingredients:

• 2 cups navy beans (or 3 cans, drained and rinsed)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons mustard (Dijon or yellow)
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for depth)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, more to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 1/2 cups water or broth

Optional Add-ins:

• 4 slices bacon, chopped and cooked until crispy
• 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes for heat
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce for umami
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup for a richer sweetness
• 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke for a bold BBQ flavor

For a Vegan Version:

• Skip bacon and Worcestershire (or use vegan Worcestershire)
• Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth

How to make Homemade Baked Beans

Prepare the Beans

• If you’re using dried navy beans, rinse them thoroughly. Soak them overnight in water, then drain. Cook them in fresh water for about 1 hour, or until tender.
• If you’re using canned beans, simply drain and rinse them well to remove excess salt.

Cook the Bacon (Optional)

• If you’re adding bacon, chop the slices into small pieces and cook them in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat until crispy.
• Remove the bacon and set it aside, but leave the rendered fat in the pot. If you’re not using bacon, you can skip this step and use a little oil to sauté the onions and garlic in the next step.

Sauté the Aromatics

• In the same pot (with or without bacon fat), add the chopped onion and cook over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until soft and translucent.
• Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.

Build the Sauce

• Stir in the ketchup, molasses, brown sugar, mustard, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together well.
• Pour in the water or broth, and bring the mixture to a simmer.

Combine Beans and Simmer

• Add the prepared beans (either cooked from dried or canned) to the pot. Stir to coat the beans in the sauce.
• Bring everything to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Let it cook gently for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally. The beans should become thick and the sauce rich and sticky. If you want the sauce to be even thicker, let it cook a bit longer.

Add Final Touches

• If you cooked bacon earlier, stir it back into the beans for that savory kick. For extra flavor, you can add a splash of Worcestershire sauce or a little more brown sugar depending on your taste.
• Taste and adjust seasoning as needed — add more salt, pepper, or molasses for sweetness.

Serve and Enjoy!

• Once the beans are tender and the sauce is thickened to your liking, remove from heat. Serve them hot as a side dish, or enjoy them as a main with a slice of bread or over rice.

Pro Tips for the Best Baked Beans

• Let them cook slowly: The longer they simmer, the better the flavor. Don’t rush it.
• Taste as you go: Adjust sweetness, salt, and tang to your liking. Add more molasses for sweetness or vinegar for tang.
• Crispy bacon: Cook the bacon until crispy, but not too dark. It adds texture and flavor to the beans.
• Soak dried beans: If you’re using dried beans, soak them overnight to speed up cooking and make them easier to digest.

Variations to Try

• Vegan Baked Beans: Skip the bacon and use vegetable broth instead. Maple syrup can replace brown sugar for sweetness.
• Smoky Beans: Add liquid smoke or smoked paprika for a smoky flavor.
• Spicy Beans: Add cayenne pepper or a chopped jalapeño for some heat.
• Maple & Mustard Beans: Swap brown sugar for maple syrup and add more mustard for a unique flavor.
• BBQ Beans: Stir in some BBQ sauce for a tangy, smoky kick.
• Chunky Beans: Mash a portion of the beans to make the sauce thicker and chunkier.

Final Thoughts

Making homemade baked beans from scratch is easier than you think, and the results are well worth the effort. Whether you’re looking for a classic BBQ side, a hearty breakfast addition, or just a simple, comforting dish, this recipe delivers on all fronts. Plus, you can customize it to fit your tastes and dietary needs with simple swaps and variations.

So, next time you’re craving a side dish that’s both delicious and satisfying, skip the can and whip up your own batch of baked beans. The flavor is richer, the ingredients are fresher, and the possibilities are endless.

If you’re into cozy homemade baked beans recipes, also be sure to check out our Easy Ground Beef Taco Recipe, ground beef meatloaf with Lipton Onion Soup Mix

Happy cooking!

Recipe Recap: Homemade Baked Beans

Delicious homemade baked beans, rich in flavor and simple to make. Perfect for BBQs, meals, or as a side dish with bacon, maple syrup, and a smoky twist.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 2 hours hrs

Total Time 2 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4 to 6

Calories 220 kcal

Ingredients

  

• Base Ingredients:
• 2 cups navy beans or 3 cans, drained and rinsed
• 1 small onion finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons mustard Dijon or yellow
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika optional, for depth
• 1/2 teaspoon salt more to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 1/2 cups water or broth
• Optional Add-ins:
• 4 slices bacon chopped and cooked until crispy
• 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes for heat
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce for umami
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup for a richer sweetness
• 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke for a bold BBQ flavor
• For a Vegan Version:
• Skip bacon and Worcestershire or use vegan Worcestershire
• Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth

Instructions

 

• Step 1: Prepare the Beans
• If you’re using dried navy beans, rinse them thoroughly. Soak them overnight in water, then drain. Cook them in fresh water for about 1 hour, or until tender.
• If you’re using canned beans, simply drain and rinse them well to remove excess salt.
• Step 2: Cook the Bacon (Optional)
• If you’re adding bacon, chop the slices into small pieces and cook them in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat until crispy.
• Remove the bacon and set it aside, but leave the rendered fat in the pot. If you’re not using bacon, you can skip this step and use a little oil to sauté the onions and garlic in the next step.
• Step 3: Sauté the Aromatics
• In the same pot (with or without bacon fat), add the chopped onion and cook over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until soft and translucent.
• Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
• Step 4: Build the Sauce
• Stir in the ketchup, molasses, brown sugar, mustard, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together well.
• Pour in the water or broth, and bring the mixture to a simmer.
• Step 5: Combine Beans and Simmer
• Add the prepared beans (either cooked from dried or canned) to the pot. Stir to coat the beans in the sauce.
• Bring everything to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Let it cook gently for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally. The beans should become thick and the sauce rich and sticky. If you want the sauce to be even thicker, let it cook a bit longer.
• Step 6: Add Final Touches
• If you cooked bacon earlier, stir it back into the beans for that savory kick. For extra flavor, you can add a splash of Worcestershire sauce or a little more brown sugar depending on your taste.
• Taste and adjust seasoning as needed — add more salt, pepper, or molasses for sweetness.
• Step 7: Serve and Enjoy!
• Once the beans are tender and the sauce is thickened to your liking, remove from heat. Serve them hot as a side dish, or enjoy them as a main with a slice of bread or over rice.

Keyword Healthy Baked Beans, Homemade Baked Beans, Smoky Beans