Southern style Homemade Baked Beans with Bacon in a thick, rich, glossy sauce with a perfect balance of sweet and a hint of tang. An essential side for a blow out BBQ or Southern feast – think pulled pork, barbecue chicken, sticky ribs, Fried Chicken, sweet juicy corn, coleslaw, potato salad, macaroni salad and cornbread. Swoooooon!!
Southern Baked Beans
Southern Baked Beans are like the bolder, brasher big sister of our Aussie baked beans. Whereas our beans are known as a breakfast staple, with its translucent, shiny tomato sauce, the Southern version is a a side dish that’s packed with big, bold southern flavours.
The sauce is glossy, it’s sweet, it’s savoury, and even though it’s “just” a side dish, no one could overlook it on a table laden with food!
Here it is pictured with a side of Coleslaw, Pulled Pork and crusty Artisan bread (it’s unbelievably quick and easy, no knead. Though….. cornbread would be much more on theme on this plate!)
What goes in Southern Baked Beans
You’ll find a lot of recipes are based around store bought canned baked beans – sauce and all. I really just prefer making it from scratch – you can control the flavour yourself, you know what goes in it, and all that usual jazz. 🙂
So here’s what you need to make these Southern Baked Beans.
Just a note on a few of the ingredients:
Beans – I usually make this with red kidney beans, just something I picked up from Ina Garten’s baked beans recipe. Flavour wise it doesn’t really make a difference what beans you use because the sauce flavour is so strong. So feel free to use navy beans (haricot) which is the more common type of beans used in Southern Baked Beans, pinto, cannellini or any other small to medium beans of choice;
Molasses – adds colour, gloss and flavour. Easy substitute: golden syrup!
Tomato passata – this is just plain, pure, pureed tomato. If you’re in the US, it’s sometimes labelled “tomato puree” instead. More information on tomato passata here.
How to make baked beans
It’s probably thoroughly not in the spirit of baked beans to NOT bake it! But it starts on the stove with the browning of the bacon, so I just find it easier to leave it on the stove.
But you can bake it if you prefer! It can also be slow cooked – directions included in the recipe.
I know baked beans are traditionally served as a side in the states, but in all honesty, the sauce of this Homemade Baked Beans with Bacon is so good, with such much kapow flavours, I’m happy to slurp it up just like this: in a big bowl with some corn bread to slop up all that sauce. (Try the muffin version too, they’re fabulous!)
Or even as breakfast. I promise there is a couple of pieces of (burnt) toast under that very generous serving of baked beans! Try it with a fried or poached egg, or even scrambled eggs!
Big Barbecue Feast!
And of course, I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t suggest a load of dishes for a big barbecue feast. Here are some barbecue favourites that demand a side of baked beans!!
I know I keep going on and on about giant BBQ feasts, but of course baked beans are a brilliant side dish for normal meals too. 😂 It will keep in the fridge for days, so you can keep bringing it out over and over again… who can get sick of these baked beans?? – Nagi x
Watch how to make it
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Homemade Baked Beans with Bacon (Southern)
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp oil
- 150g/ 5 oz bacon , chopped
- 1 medium onion , finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic , minced (or 1 1/2 tsp garlic paste)
- 3 x 400g / 14oz cans red kidney or other beans, drained and rinsed (Note 1)
- 3/4 cup ketchup (Note 2)
- 3/4 cup tomato passata / US tomato puree (Note 3)
- 1/4 cup molasses (Note 4)
- 2 tbsp cider vinegar
- 3/4 cup water
- 2 tsp mustard powder (or 1 tbsp Dijon or American mustard)
- 1 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 3/4 tsp EACH salt & pepper , plus more to taste
Instructions
- Heat oil over high heat (can skip oil if bacon is super fatty). Add bacon and cook for 2 minutes.
- Add onion and garlic. Cook for 3 minutes until onion and bacon are golden.
- Add remaining ingredients. Stir, bring to simmer, then place lid on.
- Then either turn down heat to medium low (simmering gently) and cook on the stove for 1 hour, stirring every now and then so the bottom doesn't catch. OR bake at 160°C/325°F for 60 minutes.
- SLOW COOKER option: Reduce water to 1/4 cup, transfer to slow cooker and cook for 6 hours on low.
- The sauce should be thickened (cook with lid off for a bit if not thick enough) and glossy. Adjust salt and pepper to taste at the end. See notes for serving suggestions!
Recipe Notes:
- 1 can = 1 3/4 cups beans once drained
- Recipe calls for 3 cans = 5 1/4 cups beans
- 1 cup dried beans = 2 3/4 cups cooked
- So you will need 2 cups dried beans (2 x 2.75 = 5 1/2 cups cooked beans)
Nutrition Information:
Originally published June 2017, updated June 2020 with fresh new photos, brand new video!
More bean recipes
Life of Dozer
In case you missed the Life of Dozer video on Monday – Dozer’s analysis of deconstructed Gado Gado at a glance:
And Life of Dozer from the original publication date:
First sunrise back in Sydney with Mr D after arriving home from my trip to Japan. 🙂 Even though his boarder reported no signs of separation anxiety or even a fleeting moment of forlornness that would indicate that he missed me in the slightest (😤), I was greeted with sufficient enthusiasm to think otherwise!
YOUR NOTES ARE A RECIPE SAVER. I’M ALWAYS MISSING SOME INGRED. AND YOUR SUBS’ SAVE THIS COOK
Thanks so much Mary!
They always miss you Nagi. Goldens are such happy pups that we never saw them get sad in boarding but you can bet they missed their owners a LOT. Glad to see he is happy with you home. Isn’t that just the greatest feeling on earth? That overabundance of joy when they see you.
🙂 Give me a smooshy kiss on the nose for me.
Oh these beans look amazing. No sugar, per se! Win-win. Love molasses too and use it daily. These are going to into my “try next” file!
He loves the boarders – he gets to hang with all his mates! I hope you love the recipe, keep me updates, I’d love to hear what you think! N x
Delish but I am going to tweak the recipe! Less sweetness for me. I think instead of the tomato sauce I’ll double the passata and instead of the molasses I’ll add a tablespoon or so of brown sugar. I’ll also be doubling the recipe because they disappeared in minutes!!
Love to know how it goes Kylee! N x
This was adorable video of Dozer…so sweet how he carefully ate through each item leaving (or spitting out the cucumber)….you’re so sweet to him. What a blessed puppy. And the recipe looks so yummy.
Nagi YOU gave hit Soft spot Love. Live bakebeans and have to have for b’ fast with egg just Like on your Photo . Would love to gave IT with your metaloaf. Yummi, Delicious. Last week We gad winter Day 02C ,fog, Frost and Only 11C. Photo Of Dozer by The water us Amazing, picture oerfect. Keep warm, Safe and healthy.!
Yum! And aren’t they a great start to the day! Sound frosty Vera, stay warm ❤️ N x
Dozer is just absolutely adorable Nagi I love seeing him and i love the way you look after him
Thanks so much Carolyn 🙂 N x
Dear Nagi. I have read many a time about never to cook red kidney beans in a slow cooker. Apparently if you do the beans give off a toxin that can be very harmful and can make a person seriously ill. Just thought I’d mention it. Seen this in warings on Allrecipies and Pintrest.
Thanks Patrick and yes, you’re correct. The beans must be boiled properly before using to cook out the toxin, you’re safe to boil them and then cook in the slow cooker. N x
Thx Nagi. I was afraid to leave a comment. I never do. Appreciate your reply to me and confirming what I read elsewhere.
I was raised on BBQ, cold slaw, corn and of course southern baked beans, being from Dallas, Texas. The only difference in my beans are that we use brown sugar and we do not add in vinegar. I will try them your way, of course, since I love everything I have made of course, but I think I will only add one tablespoon of vinegar. Just thinking of two tablespoons of vinegar makes my jaw lock! Ha ha, sorry, I am sure your recipe is wonderful, but being a seventy year old southern lady I have to take some changes slowly. Thank you for sharing all your recipes with us. You recipes are the best of any chef ever!
Love to know what you think Redonia, it’s hard to sway from a tried and true recipe! N x
Very delicious l love it.
Thanks so much Mikaele! N x
I love the way you treat your dog no fust the weather here is good until Friday we will get lot’s of rain not cold i your food look Hume you love cooking you can see.
Carl
Thanks so much Carl – N x
This is how we grew up making beans. Just standard beans (navy) not kidney but do to shortages in the Southern US I am using anything we can get. I was taught to then put them in the oven to bake. We would make the meals stretch by adding hot dogs and smoked meat to the beans besides the bacon before baking . Dozer is lovely and you are Blessed to have him. Take care and I am enjoying working my way through the recipes. Wishing for your weather today 😆
Sounds fab G! N x
My English mother served us sandwiches of baked beans (cold) on white bread, which actually are delish!
Whenever I return from a trip, my lab pretends he doesn’t know me for a few hours until he can’t stand it and breaks down and slobbers all over me.
They can definitely hold a grudge (but not for long) 😂
I have made Boston baked beans for years using belly pork. I may need longer in the slow cooker. Leave the skin on the pork. Delicious and comforting. Great for feeding a crowd. X
YUM! I love this idea Sarah! N x
Hi Nagi,
I just had to comment on the Dozer picture. Both are great, but the one with his paws on the railing, overlooking the water, & the sun in the background is sooo precious!🐶❤️
The picture of dozer with his paws on the wall looking out is so sweet ,my favorite also ,, I saved it and put it on my computer screen ,,love that dog ,,and all your fabulous recipes .Thank you .
Also just be warned, if you make this there is a certain scene from Blazing Saddles that you’l be re-enacting whether you want to or not 😀
Love your recipes and these beans taste great! (Had to mix two different beans because of shortage at store so these are quarantine beans!) I’m wondering if the bacon was cooked enough.
Got these simmering away now…. Smells good!
I doubled the cayenne and garlic because my brain automatically does this for all recipes when I see the ingredients there.
I’m adding a couple drops of hickory liquid smoke also….
Hi Berit, yes the bacon is in there long enough to be cooked – I’m so glad you enjoyed them! N x
Great with seasoned rice or thick crusty bread. I like to add a shot of bourbon, it’s how Dr. McCoy made it on Star Trek back in the day.
Oh yes – I’m all for this! N x
Mmmmmmm!!! Yummy in my tummy.
Somehow missed the part about less water for the pressure cooker, but it turned out to be good still. Thanks!
Looks good
Hi Nagi! Do I have to put ketchup in? Or can I sub barbecue sauce? Thank you!
We loved the recipe. I added just a little more çayenne. Our family loves sweet and spicy food. I am from Georgia everything is spicy in the south