Homemade baked beans (Printer-Friendly)

Thick baked beans with smoky bacon and a rich, sweet sauce ideal for cookouts or BBQ sides.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 8 slices bacon

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped

→ Canned Goods

03 - 3 cans (16 oz each) pork and beans

→ Condiments & Sweeteners

04 - 1/4 cup yellow mustard
05 - 1/4 cup maple syrup
06 - 1/2 cup ketchup
07 - 2 tablespoons molasses
08 - 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed

→ Seasoning

09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Fry bacon slices in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon and drain on paper towels, reserving 1/4 cup of bacon grease in the pan.
02 - Add finely chopped onions to the reserved bacon grease and cook over medium heat until translucent. Add a small amount of oil if necessary to prevent sticking.
03 - Add pork and beans, mustard, maple syrup, ketchup, molasses, brown sugar, salt, pepper, and crumbled bacon to the skillet with the onions. Stir thoroughly to combine.
04 - Transfer the bean mixture to an ungreased 9x13-inch baking dish. Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 175°C (350°F) for 60 minutes, until bubbly and browned.
05 - Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce reaches desired thickness.
06 - Stir the beans once more before serving to ensure even texture and flavor.

# Helpful Hints:

01 - For thicker beans, bake uncovered longer while stirring occasionally. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 5 days and freeze up to 3 months.