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Warm Sides

Easy Baked Beans

4 servings
Vegetarian Diet, American Simmering, Sautéing, Baking

Get ready for the ultimate comfort side dish. We're combining tender navy beans with a rich, caramelized blend of molasses, brown sugar, and tomato paste. We'll optionally add bacon using my special method so it perfectly integrates into the savory sauce. Whether you stick to a quick stove-top simmer or...

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... bake it to achieve that amazing dark crust, these beans are the absolute best pairing for pulled pork or BBQ ribs. Let's get cooking!

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Tom the Chef Tom the Chef Founder
June 4, 2026
Easy Baked Beans in black bowl on the butcher block countertop in medium distance shot serrounded by pork ribs, coleslaw, and baked baguette
  • 30 min.
  • 30 min.
  • 1/5
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Ingredients:

Main

Tools:

Recipes

Best served with:

BBQ – Honey Pork Ribs
Coleslaw

Directions:

1. Preparation:

Let’s start the preparation of Easy Baked Beans.

Notes: This recipe is designed to be started on the stove and finished in the oven. If you are in a rush, you can optionally complete the entire recipe on the stove and avoid using the oven by adding 10–15 minutes of simmering time to step 3.5. In that case, please skip this preparation part. But if time allows, please follow the entire recipe, including finishing it in the oven.

1.1.

Set oven to preheat to 350°F.

1.2.

Prepare your medium-sized baking dish (no greasing and flouring necessary).

2. Base:

2.1. Preheat the saucepan on a medium-high heat with 2 TBSP of frying oil and add:

1 onion – finely chopped

Sauté with occasional stirring until glossy (about 3 – 4 minutes).

2.2. Optionally add:

½ LB of bacon – chopped into small pieces

And cook with occasional stirring until some of the fat is rendered (for about 2 – 3 minutes).

Notes:

Some recipes require sautéing bacon first and adding onion in the next step. This leads to very crispy bacon at first, and not enough cooked onion. While this option can be appealing for some, it is important to keep in mind that what is initially well-cooked and crispy bacon will most definitely become just weird and chewy pieces in the final baked beans. My method, where the bacon is cooked second and initially less than you might want, will allow it to fully integrate into the meal and become part of it. But always feel free to adjust any of my recipes to your liking.

2.3. Lower the temperature to medium and add:

2 TBSP of butter
¼ cup of brown sugar

While constantly stirring, let it caramelize (for about 2 – 3 minutes).

2.4. Add:

3 TBSP of molasses

And cook, while stirring, for about 1 minute.

3. Short Simmer:

3.1. Add:

¼ cup of tomato paste
1 TSP of ground mustard (or 1 TBSP of regular mustard)
1 TBSP of vinegar
3 cloves of garlic – grated (or pressed)
1 TSP of paprika
1 TSP of salt
½ TSP of ground pepper

Thoroughly stir.

3.2.

Increase heat to medium-high.

3.3.

Bring it to a simmer (about 195°F) with occasional stirring.

3.4. Add:

2 cans (15 OZ each) of navy beans – including liquid

Thoroughly stir.

3.5. Bring it to a light simmer.

Note: If you are in a rush, you can skip the following optional baking by reducing the heat to medium and cooking with occasional stirring for about 10–15 minutes until all ingredients are combined and the liquid is reduced.

3.6.

Taste and add salt and/or pepper if needed.

4. Optional Bake:

4.1.

Transfer beans to the baking dish.

4.2.

Place it into the preheated oven.

4.3.

Bake uncovered for 45 to 60 minutes until the sauce is thick and a dark crust forms on top.

5. Serving Easy Baked Beans:

5.1.

When done, carefully remove it from the oven.

5.2.

Serve warm.

5.3.

Goes great with pulled pork, BBQ ribs or any BBQ meat.

Food & Ingredients

Beans

June 6, 2024

Beans, those unassuming little legumes, hold a significant place in kitchens and cultures around the globe. From hearty stews to vibrant salads, beans add texture, flavor, and nutritional value to countless dishes. They are a versatile ingredient with a rich history and a culinary repertoire that spans continents. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a home cook, understanding the fundamentals of beans can elevate your culinary creations and introduce a world of possibilities to your table.

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Tom the Chef Tom the Chef Founder
About the Author:
Tom the ChefFounder
# 1
  • Published Recipes: 288
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  • Location: Iowa, USA
  • Member since: 2023-02-02
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