Ditch the can and make this homemade Baked Beans recipe! It's smokey, sweet, and absolutely incredible! They feed a crowd and everyone will be impressed you made them from scratch! They only take 15 minutes to prep and can even be made in advance.
Add bacon to a large pot. Turn heat to medium and cook, stirring often until crisp. Remove to a plate. Remove only some of the excess grease. Add onion to pan and sauté for 4 minutes. Add bell pepper and garlic and cook for 2 more minutes. Add remaining ingredients and bacon to stir to combine. Taste and add additional salt and pepper, if needed.
Pour mixture into a 9x13 baking pan and bake, covered with foil, for one hour (or up to 2 hours, if you want them thicker consistency). Uncover and bake for 10 more minutes. Allow to cool for at least 15 minutes before serving, for the sauce to thicken as it cools.
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 1 week.
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Notes
Make Ahead Instructions: Follow instructions until the baking step. Cover then refrigerate for 3-4 days. Allow beans to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes then bake as instructed.Freezing Instructions: Keep beans in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Allow beans to thaw completely in the refrigerator before baking.Variations:
Saucy vs Thick: For saucy beans, cook for recommended 1 hour. Bake for 30 minutes to an hour longer for a thicker consistency.
Sweetness: These beans are on the sweeter side, so feel free to cut the brown sugar down to 1/3 cup, if desired.
Slow Cooker Baked Beans: Cook bacon then sauté onion in a skillet on the stove. Add all ingredients to slow cooker and stir to combine. Cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours.