How to Make Baked Beans from Scratch
Baked beans are perfect for BBQs, in fact some think that a BBQ is not complete without baked beans from scratch. I used to buy baked beans from the grocery store. However, with quarantine, it was hard to find them, so I started trying homemade recipes with baked beans, I will never go back to cans. Baked Beans recipes are easy and most ingredients you probably already have on hand!
Ingredients for baked beans:
- Onion
- Beans (can use navy, butter, great northern, kidney, pinto beans)
- Ketchup
- Molasses (can use syrup if you don’t have molasses)
- Brown Sugar
- Vinegar (recommend Cider Vinegar)
- Dry mustard (can substitute regular mustard)
- Kielbasa (optional)
- Bacon (optional)
Since trying my first baked bean recipe, I have been working to perfect mine as too many of the recipes I found online are way too sweet (and use waayyy to much sugar!).
This recipe is great served with the ultimate grilled cheese.
Are baked beans good for you?
Beans are healthy as they are high in protein and fiber; however, baked beans tend to not be ‘good’ for you due to the amount of sugar and fat (from bacon, kielbasa) added. You can cut down on the added sugar and make them healthier.
Baked Beans from Scratch Cooking Methods:
There are several ways to cook baked beans, depending on preference, equipment, and time. I will provide the three most common options:
Cooking Baked Beans on the Stove:
Most baked bean recipes are cooked on the stove, at least at first. As a busy mom, with three hungry boys, we sometimes are in a hurry and cannot wait an hour or more to serve food. On those days, I will serve right from the stovetop and think they taste great! Once the beans and sauce are mixed, let them simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Cooking Baked Beans in the Oven:
For this method, I recommend making the baked beans in a cast-iron skillet or Dutch oven that can go right in the stove. Once the beans and sauce are mixed together, you will want to place them in the oven covered with tinfoil or an oven-safe lid at 350 F for 1 hour.
If you do not have a dutch oven or cast iron skillet buy one today!
Cooking Baked Beans Slow Cooker:
Cooking baked beans in a crockpot is probably the easiest as it is a set it and forget it approach, but does take the longest. You will want to put the raw bacon on the bottom of the crockpot, then onions, then the beans on top. Mix the sauce in a separate bowl and then pour the liquid over the beans, DO NOT MIX the ingredients up in the crockpot! Cook the baked beans on low for 6-8 hours.
Instructions for Cooking Baked Beans from Scratch:
To make baked beans with using either the stovetop of oven, you will want to start by browning up the onions, bacon and kielbasa. Make baked beans from scratch today!
Once the onions, bacon and kielbasa are browned you will want to add the remainder of the ingredients and stir.
To finish cooking Baked Beans on the Stovetop:
Simmer on the stove covered for about 15 minutes.
To finish cooking Baked Beans in the Oven:
Cover the oven safe pan tightly with a lid or tin foil and place in the oven for 1 hours at 350.
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Homemade Baked Beans with Bacon and Kielbasa
Equipment
- Dutch Oven or Cast Iron Skillet
Ingredients
- 14 oz keilbasa optional
- 5 slices bacon optional
- 1/2 cup onion diced
- 2 -16 oz beans Can use kidney, navy, northern, butter
- 4 teaspoons ketchup can use BBQ sauce as a substitue
- 1/4 cup molasses can substitue maple syrup
- 1/3 cup brown sugar recommend dark
- 1/4 cup cider vinegar
- 2 teaspooons dry mustard can substitute with regular mustard
Instructions
- Pre-heat large oven safe skillet (cast-iron or dutch oven) over medium heat.
- Once skillet is pre-heated add the bacon and, onion and kielbasa, and cook until the bacon is crips and the kielbasa is starting to brown.
- Rinse the beans and add to the skillet.
- Add the ketchup, molasses, brown sugar, cider vinegar and mustard.
- If you are cooking just on the stove top cover and cook for about 15 more minutes. If you are cooking in the oven cover with an oven safe lid or tin foil and cook at 350 for about 1 hour.
