So I’ve lived all over the US–I grew up in Utah, live in the South, and have lived briefly on the West and East coasts. And no matter where I go, there are baked beans and no matter where I go, everyone truly believes that baked beans originated in that particular region or in their family. I like them okay–if you’ve ever served me baked beans, I’ve probably enjoyed them. But one issue I have with them is that they are almost always way too sweet; most recipes are simmered in ketchup, which is already quite sweet, and then they have a generous amount of brown sugar as well as molasses. Usually I have a few bites and call it good.
Now…this picture may look like an advertisement for Bush’s beans, but really, it’s an illustration of my OCD tendencies. See, I’m all about getting a deal and am totally all for generic brands. However, the pinto beans were the only ones available as the store brand; the rest were Bush’s and I couldn’t have a picture of 3 cans of Bush’s beans and 1 can of Walmart beans.
add your bacon,
then combine the rest of the sauce ingredients and cook it all together until your house smells amazing. It’s perfect for any type of festivity any time throughout the year, but there is something about a big pan of baked beans at a cookout that just fits, you know?
1 15 1/2-oz. can Great Northern beans
1 15 1/2-oz. can navy beans
1 15 1/2-oz. can baby butter beans
1 15 1/2-oz. can pinto beans
2 14 1/2-oz. cans stewed tomatoes
1/3 c. molasses
2 Tbsp. light brown sugar
2 Tbsp. prepared mustard
1 tsp. Kosher salt
1/2 tsp. Tabasco or other hot sauce
6 oz. bacon (1/2 of an average-sized package), divided
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
Instructions:
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I like the fact that these beans are tomato based rather than ketchup based. Might gives these ago without the sugar, as hubby dislike sweet beans completely, but I think the flavor of these could stand on it's own. Thanks for the idea!
Yum, I am excited to try this! I love baked beans and I needed a good recipe.
I agree with you. Most BB are too sweet. Having hamburgers and hot dogs tonight, think I'll put on batch right now into the slow cooker!
Well this is timely! I have to take baked beans to a potluck tonight and got online to find a recipe!
Can you use dry beans for this? Or should you cook them up seperately and then add them in?
jmommy08–I've never tried dry beans, but if you do use them, you'd have to cook them up before you cook everything together.
Jen–Mind reading is a hobby of mine… :)
Just in time for BBQ season! And I'm with you, I always thought they were a little too sweet. I'll have to try these!
[PS: I totally get the OCD thing!]
I too am excited to try this – I have a pressure cooker baked bean recipe that I love but it is really sweet – I know this will taste great b/c EVERYTHING I have tried on this site has been DEE-licious. Thanks!
How much do you taste the tomatoes? The thing I like most about the sweet baked beans is that there isn't a lot of acidity, but I love the sounds of these beans.
Thanks! I've been wanting a good recipe for these. My friend makes a good recipe too, but she adds hot dogs to hers with bacon, and I'd rather not have hot dogs in mine.
Suzanne–The tomato taste really isn't overpowering–really, after it's cooked and once it's combined with the sugar and molasses, it tastes like traditional baked beans, only a little more "natural," you know? The tomatoes definitely aren't overwhelming or pasta sauce-like at all.
I am SO going to try these! I'm not a fan of baked beans. My number one complaint is that they are WAY TOO SWEET. Eeeeew! These look perfect. Thanks so much!
How many does this recipe serve?
Lisa, I would probably say 8-10 generous servings and 10-12 smaller ones.
I have to say I have never made baked beans with so many different kinds of beans at once! I love the variety in this! I am now craving baked beans like mad……
I love your OCD tendencies! Getting all one brand just for the picture is totally something I would do–your fellow bloggers totally understand! This recipe sounds wonderful–I'm gonna try it out at a family cookout in a few weeks. Thanks! ~Veronica
Coming back to report that these are AWESOME. I couldn't find baby butter beans so I added a second can of navy beans instead. I put them in the crockpot and my house smells SO good!
I've actually been looking for a good baked beans recipe for a while now. The Hubble hates them because they are too sweet. Maybe I'll give these a try and see if they pass his test. Thanks for sharing!
How do these store? Can you freeze them at all so that you can have them throughout the summer? Just curious. :)
I made these last night and they were really good! I couldn't find baby butter beans, so I just used the regular sized ones. I cooked them in the oven in a 9 x 13, but next time, I'm going to try them in the slow cooker. Thanks!
I want to use these as a main dish … is there something else I could serve them with to make that work that isn't hamburgers and hot dogs??? thanks!!
HWFA–What about barbecued chicken? Or the fauxtisserie chicken here on the blog? There's ribs, turkey burgers, or maybe a cobb or chef salad. Or you could make a meal out of side dishes like the baked beans, corn on the cobb, cornbread, coleslaw, etc. Hope that helps! :)
Kate … I love your ideas!! Thanks!! THe meal of side dishes is fun and different, I'm starting there :-)
My husband and I threw this together in the crockpot on the morning of Mother’s Day and enjoyed them with dinner that night. So easy and just the right amount of sweetness. Thanks so much!
Just made these for a BBQ to go w/briskit (sp?) they were a hit & perfect w/the meat..yum!!
Do you drain any of the bacon grease out of the onions or put it all in?
It’s up to you and your bacon. :) If it seems like there’s a lot of grease, go ahead and drain some of it, but a leaner cut will render less fat. You’ll want in the neighborhood of at least 2-3 tablespoons.
I made these for a potluck last weekend. They were a huge hit… People wanted the recipe. Thanks!
How many will this recipe feed?
About 10-12.
I made this recipe prior to eliminating pork from my diet and remember it being very tasty. I’d like to make this again, without the bacon. Any suggestions for substitutions/alterations? I’m thinking maybe a few dashes of liquid smoke and perhaps a tiny bit of chipotle chili powder.
Do you think turkey bacon will work in this? I am trying to “lighten up” my eating.
Thanks!
Hi! I made these today for a get together and they were delicious. I prepped it all the night before and then stuck it in the oven in the afternoon. My husband, friends, and I enjoyed it. The only thing though is that they came out runny. Would you know why that is?