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Easy Homemade Baked Beans from Scratch Recipe for Perfect Comfort Food

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This easy homemade baked beans recipe delivers classic smoky, sweet, and deeply satisfying comfort food using canned beans for a quick and fuss-free meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cans (15 oz / 425 g each) Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
  • 4 slices bacon, diced (turkey bacon works too)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup (240 ml) tomato sauce, smooth and unsweetened preferred
  • 2 tablespoons molasses
  • 1/4 cup (50 g) brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Salt to taste, start with 1/2 teaspoon
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) water or broth, to adjust consistency

Instructions

  1. Drain and rinse the canned beans under cold water using a fine mesh strainer. Set aside. (5 minutes)
  2. Heat a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add diced bacon and cook until crisp and browned, about 6-8 minutes. Remove bacon pieces with a slotted spoon, leaving the rendered fat in the pan. (8 minutes)
  3. Add chopped onion to the bacon fat and cook until translucent and softened, about 5 minutes. Stir frequently to avoid browning. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. (6 minutes)
  4. Stir in tomato sauce, molasses, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt. Mix well and let simmer gently for 3-4 minutes to marry the flavors. (4 minutes)
  5. Add the drained beans and cooked bacon back into the pan with the sauce. Stir gently to coat all beans without breaking them up. Add water or broth to loosen the sauce if it looks too thick. (2 minutes)
  6. Reduce heat to low, cover partially, and let the beans simmer gently for 20-25 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. The sauce should thicken slightly and cling to the beans. (25 minutes)
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed—more salt, pepper, or a splash more vinegar if desired. If the sauce is too thick, add a tablespoon or two of water and stir. (2 minutes)
  8. Remove from heat and let beans rest for a few minutes before serving to help flavors settle and sauce thicken further. (5 minutes)

Notes

Rinse canned beans to remove excess salt and starch. Cook bacon slowly on medium heat to avoid bitterness. Simmer beans gently on low heat to prevent bursting and scorching. Adjust sauce thickness last as it thickens upon cooling. Add water or broth if beans dry out during simmering. For vegetarian/vegan option, skip bacon and add smoked paprika plus liquid smoke. Use gluten-free Worcestershire sauce or tamari for gluten-free adaptation.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked beans, homemade baked beans, comfort food, easy baked beans, canned beans recipe, smoky baked beans, quick baked beans

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