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Home Collections Winter Warmers

Homemade Baked Beans with Bacon (Southern Style)

By:Nagi
Published:17 Jun '20Updated:24 Sep '21
181 Comments
Recipe v Video v Dozer v

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!!

Pot of Southern Baked Beans with Bacon

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!)

Southern Dinner 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.

Ingredients in Baked Beans with Bacon

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.

How to make Southern Baked Beans with Bacon

Close up of pot with Southern Baked Beans with Bacon

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!)

3 bowls of Southern Baked Beans with Bacon

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!

Breakfast Baked Beans, southern style

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!!

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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)

Author: Nagi
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 1 hr 15 mins
Total: 1 hr 25 mins
Side
Southern
4.94 from 43 votes
Servings12 - 12 people (as a side)
Tap or hover to scale
Print
  • 386
(Recipe video above) Southern baked beans in a thick savoury sauce with a touch of sweet and hint of tang. Loaded with BACON! Serve as a side, or have it for breakfast with bacon and eggs. It even makes a hearty meal itself - great for slopping up with bread!

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. Beans - I make this with red kidney beans but other beans like pinto, navy, northern and cannellini beans are just as lovely. Many Southern Baked Beans recipes are made starting with a can of store bought baked beans (sometimes beans and pork) which is made with a white bean (I prefer making my sauce from scratch rather than using canned). I like using red beans because I love the colour, and it's what Ina Garten uses in her recipe. 
DRIED BEANS (red kidney beans, navy/haricot, cannellini or other white beans) - you will need 2 cups of dried beans:
  • 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)
Cover with plenty of water and bring to boil for 1 minute. Then remove from stove and cover, set aside for 1 hour. Then cook for 1 hour simmering on medium heat, drain then use per recipe.
2. Ketchup - If you are in Australia/NZ or Europe, you can use what we know as Tomato Sauce. If you are in America, please don't use what you know as tomato sauce!
3. Tomato passata - If you can't find tomato passata, either puree canned tomato OR use crushed tomato + 1 tbsp tomato paste.
4. Molasses - If you can't find molasses, this can be substituted with treacle or golden syrup. Or even maple syrup. Or use 1/3 cup brown sugar.
5. To serve: Traditionally served as a side dish for Southern meals and barbecue feasts - see in post for a list of dishes to make up a menu. However, I like to have it at any time of the day, even plain in a bowl with bread to slop it up!
6. FREEZING: Freezes brilliantly! Cool then back in ziplock bags or airtight containers. Reheat from frozen in the microwave, or thaw then reheat on the stove or microwave.
7. Nutrition assuming 12 servings as a side.

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 174gCalories: 167cal (8%)Carbohydrates: 24g (8%)Protein: 8g (16%)Fat: 5g (8%)Saturated Fat: 1g (6%)Cholesterol: 12mg (4%)Sodium: 614mg (27%)Potassium: 486mg (14%)Fiber: 5g (21%)Sugar: 11g (12%)Vitamin A: 195IU (4%)Vitamin C: 4mg (5%)Calcium: 47mg (5%)Iron: 2mg (11%)
Keywords: baked beans from scratch, baked beans recipe, southern baked beans
Did you make this recipe?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @RecipeTinEats.

Originally published June 2017, updated June 2020 with fresh new photos, brand new video!

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And Life of Dozer from the original publication date:

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Hi, I'm Nagi!

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181 Comments

  1. Tash says

    August 3, 2022 at 8:35 pm

    5 stars
    Forlorning over the fact that this dog has a much more glamorous life than I will ever have.
    Comforting myself with these beans.

    Reply
  2. mike says

    February 18, 2022 at 10:11 am

    4 stars
    It’s all good except for the canned beans.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      February 18, 2022 at 10:46 am

      Hi Mike – the dried bean option is there in Note 1 of the recipe! I make it both ways depending on how much time I have! N x

      Reply
  3. John says

    February 3, 2022 at 9:02 am

    5 stars
    This is about the tenth time cooking what can only be described as a very tasty dish. No one tires of eating this in the family….

    Reply
  4. Hillary says

    October 4, 2021 at 12:20 am

    Love this recipe! My friends, family, and coworkers all enjoy it. Thank you! I do have a question – I feel I am doing something wrong – either in the beans I buy or when I add ingredients. I have made several wonderful batches but a few of them came out with slightly crunchy beans – as if they were not cooked prior (but they are from a can) or maybe as if they absorbed too much salt..? What are your thoughts? I have mostly used a Dutch oven for this and have also tried the oven method as well, using the times provided. Tried adding even more time on low to see if that would help. My only substitution is the tomato purée – if I can’t find it, I use tomato sauce. Does anything stand out that could cause me to have firmer beans? I have read where the quality of bean could be a factor and if using too much salt/when you add it, could also be a factor. Would love your thoughts – I love love this recipe! Thank you!

    Reply
  5. Connor says

    September 18, 2021 at 3:23 pm

    Have made this multiple times and is the best. I always use maple syrup. Is also awesome with kransky as bacon substitute

    Reply
    • Connor says

      September 18, 2021 at 3:24 pm

      6 stars

      Reply
      • John says

        October 1, 2021 at 4:19 pm

        5 stars
        YEP… 👍👍👍👍👍👍

        Reply
    • Nagi says

      September 20, 2021 at 6:39 pm

      YUM!!! Sounds great Connor!! N x

      Reply
  6. John says

    September 3, 2021 at 9:22 pm

    5 stars
    Just cooked this… Sooo easy. The house smells great!

    Reply
  7. pie lady says

    September 3, 2021 at 4:51 am

    awww MAN!! wen i clicked on this blog site and saw her face??….as we say in the south of of USA . this lady can burn !! check out her brown butter fish dinner ….soo good!! i made it multiple times

    Reply
  8. Elly says

    July 19, 2021 at 10:56 pm

    5 stars
    I made this to take to a barbecue, and they were a huuuuge hit! Someone who doesn’t normally care for baked beans even said he loved them. They are indeed so very delicious!! Thank you!

    Reply
  9. Averil says

    May 24, 2021 at 5:34 pm

    5 stars
    YUM!!! This recipe is so delicious and freezes easily for the most gourmet weekend breakfasts. I’ll be cooking again and again and again!

    Reply
  10. Terence Watts says

    May 9, 2021 at 12:53 pm

    5 stars
    Well, this recipe has me shaking my head in awe!
    Beans this way are an absolute taste fess! I’m still getting tingles of taste coming in well after eating them. 12 out of 10!
    I also had them with ciabatta toast which was another win

    Reply
  11. Tamara says

    May 7, 2021 at 7:08 pm

    5 stars
    Nagi I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for this delicious recipe and so many more, I migrated to Australia a few years ago and your recipes are helping me feel part of this place that I now call home, my husband and my 2 year old son enjoys them too.
    Baked beans where easy to make and very tasty.

    Reply
  12. Slava Torres says

    April 19, 2021 at 9:44 am

    5 stars
    Cooked 2 cans of kidney beans with the same amount of other ingredients. Hubby then put everything in a cast iron pan and into the smoker for 3 hours. It came out Texas delicious.

    Reply
  13. Brenda says

    April 5, 2021 at 8:09 am

    5 stars
    So very good and easy to make. on the sweet side but not to bad, next time I won’t put so much molasses . Made in crockpot .

    Reply
  14. Melody says

    April 3, 2021 at 11:18 am

    5 stars
    I used this recipe base to make my own version of baked beans because I liked the majority of the ingredients used! Just no ketchup or Worcestershire sauce because I need to buy some. I tired great northern beans last time and they turned out great. Making some now with navy beans and adding bell pepper and celery to it. I know they’ll be great!

    Reply
  15. Sharief Ibrahim says

    February 20, 2021 at 8:23 pm

    Hi Nagi.

    Planning to make this for the family but my wife is a pescatarian. What would you recommend substituting the bacon for? Was considering using anchovies? Thanks

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      February 22, 2021 at 11:13 am

      Hi Sharief, anchovies would be a great sub for that salty umami flavour! N x

      Reply
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Hi, I'm Nagi!

I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative! Read More

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