Baked Beans with Bacon

4.60 from 15 votes

Easy homemade baked beans with bacon and brown sugar.

Prep Time15

Cook Time2 30

Total Time2 45

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Calories: 171kcal

2 (28-ounce) cans pork and beans spoon off excess liquid from top
½ medium sweet onion, roughly chopped
¾ cup dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon dry mustard I like Colman's
6-8 slices (about ½ pound) thick cut bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces or pork belly!
½ cup catsup

Preheat oven to 325º and grease a large 2½ to 3 quart casserole dish with bacon fat, just rub some bacon pieces around the dish.
Empty one can of pork and beans (excess liquid skimmed off) into bottom of casserole dish. Combine brown sugar and mustard in small bowl. Sprinkle half the brown sugar/mustard mixture over beans. Scatter chopped onions over beans and brown sugar mixture.
Empty second can of pork and beans over top. Sprinkle with remaining brown sugar mixture. Scatter bacon pieces evenly over top, followed by catsup.
Bake in slow oven (325º) for 2½ hours. Stir to combine and let rest at least 15 minutes before serving.

Start with canned pork and beans as your base, spooning off excess liquid at the top of the can. That’s just what I do, you don’t need all that extra liquid.
If you want to be adventurous, try using pork belly instead of bacon. I have and love it! Cubed sous vide pork belly I got at Costco, it was delicious and very similar to bacon, practically melts in your mouth!
Don’t rush things, let them cook for a long time in a slow oven. Just leave them alone, they will do their thing.
No need to stir during baking, let the bacon brown on top. Stir to combine when done.
Let them rest, thicken and cool down. I actually like them best barely warm, room temp even.