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World’s Best Baked Beans will be the last recipe you will ever make! These easy baked beans are the perfect side to a potluck and a tried and true family recipe!
World’s Best Baked Beans
THIS recipe my friends is a family tried and true favorite. And guess what? It has been on the blog since the very beginning. If you want a good laugh at the iPhone photo I took of it, click here. Needless to say, the picture needed a major update. My in laws introduced me to this recipe 14 years ago! And guess what? I have yet to try one that can beat it. It was adapted from the Lion House Cookbook, and people beg me to bring the beans to every gathering that we have.
What makes these the best baked beans?
Well for starters, the bacon. It has a pound of bacon inside of these amazing baked beans. It is also perfectly sweet with the brown sugar added, and they are thick and rich. I also love these baked beans because not a lof of ingredients are required, and they turn out perfect every single time!
How do you make baked beans from scratch?
- Start by frying your bacon in a medium sized skillet over medium high heat. Once the bacon is cooked, remove with a slotted spoon and set on a plate. Remove most of the bacon grease, but leaving some to fry your onion and green pepper.
- Fry your onion and green pepper until tender. Combine bacon, green pepper, onion, pork and beans, ketchup, brown sugar, and worchestershire sauce in a 9×13 inch pan.
How long do you bake beans in the oven?
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Cover with foil and bake for one hour until the beans thicken up and a nice crust forms on top.
How do you make baked beans in a slow cooker?
Follow the steps in the recipe and add them to the slow cooker at the end. Keep on low heat for 4-6 hours or until desired consistency.
Can I make this recipe on the stovetop?
Absolutely. Add ingredients to a large dutch oven and cover and simmer for an hour.
Need more amazing side ideas to take to your potluck?
- Brown Sugar Cinnamon Grilled Pineapple
- Tuscan Pasta Salad
- Very Berry Cheesecake Salad
- Ambrosia Salad
- Strawberry Avocado Spinach Salad
World's Best Baked Beans
Ingredients
- 1 pound bacon
- 1 green pepper diced
- 1 onion diced
- 4 15 ounce cans pork and beans
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 Tbs Worcestershire Sauce
Instructions
- Fry up the bacon and crumble in pieces. Cut up the green pepper and onion and cook in the bacon grease until soft. Combine all ingredients together. Let simmer in pan on low for at least an hour.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Fry up the bacon and crumble in pieces. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and discard some grease. Add the green pepper and onion and fry until tender.
- Combine bacon, green pepper, and onion, pork and beans, ketchup, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce in a 9x13 inch pan. Bake covered for 1 hour. You can also simmer in a large pot on the stove for 1 hour.
Nutrition
Serves: 8
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods and portion sizes per household.
Recipe needs to be edited. Remove “ Fry up the bacon and crumble in pieces. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and discard some grease. Add the green pepper and onion and fry until tender.” in step 2.
I would also use Bush’s Original baked beans myself. Van Camp’s has high fructose corn syrup in it.
You are right about the Van Camp’s beans. I read labels as well. Bush’s much better choice here.
Instruction No. 1 does not jibe with Instruction No.2.
Everyone seems to have missed that.
What brand of canned pork & beans is best to use?
My secret ingredient is 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon! It is delicious!
I have made these beans many times and every one loves them but I also add hamburger, mustard, and a good IPA beer !!!
These are the best baked beans.
This is the closest recipe I have found that compares to my moms famous baked beans. She used bell pepper and a lot of brown sugar too. She always said when you think it’s enough brown sugar, add more. She always swore you had to use VanCamp’s, no substitutes. I made this for a company party and they loved them. Then took some to my elderly neighbor. He loved them and said they were just like his moms.
Full disclosure: I made this recipe, but did not eat it. I am not a fan of beans (texture issues). My husband loves them, so I thought I would make them for him and some baked bean loving friends who were coming to dinner. I bought Bush’s Baked Beans by mistake, so went back for the pork and beans. My husband looked disappointed when he saw me using the pork and beans. He said Bush’s were his favorite. I told him I was making a recipe and not just heating up a can of beans. He didn’t look convinced. I told him if they didn’t turn out, I would open up the can of Bush’s. I made the stove top version of this recipe – as written. He has been raving ever since saying they are the best baked beans he has ever had. My friends loved them as well. Thanks for the recipe. I will look no further when making baked beans the next time.
add a can of crushed pineapple drained. The secret ingredient. Fantastic
This is like a recipe I would make. Once when I didn’t have any bacon I substituted sliced and browned hot dogs. I haven’t used bacon since. My family loved it ! Serve with garlic bread or corn muffins and a salad. Makes a fast and inexpensive meal
I use molasses instead of brown sugar ,and fat back in place of bacon,very similar but a little sweeter , instead of green peppers and onions I slice baby gertion pickles for a little crunch
Done this recipe about ten times and I have changed a few things first no ketchup I use spicy BBQ sauce second I use bacon and homemade smoked pulled pork a pound each and last I use 3 large Anaheim peppers instead of bell peppers love the flavor of the original but wanted to give it a boost thanks
10/10
This is very similar to what i do. I am usually making this for a big crowd and I use a base of pork and beans but I also use 3 or 4 other kinds of beans, Like butter beans, black beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, etc. All drained of course. And I use a chopped seeded jalapeno in with the peppers it doesn’t make it hot it just gives it a really another layer of flavor. And i use red and orange peppers just for color.
This recipe is truly the last one you would ever need. It is simple, but yet very tasteful. I love it. Thank you for sharing.
So I followed your recipe with two exceptions first I used 3 Anaheim chilies second instead of 1 cup ketchup I used 1/2 cup and 1/2 spicy BBQ sauce was sooooooo gooooood everyone loves them. I am a Meat smoker, brisket pork butt ribs and cold smoked cheese and sell my product and this is now on the menu thank you
Jim
the 3 anahiems chilis are in place of the bell pepper