5 Baked Beans
Hearty baked beans with smoky bacon, sweet brown sugar, and tangy vinegar, perfect for family dinners or gatherings requiring comforting, flavorful side dishes.
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb. bacon, diced ⓘ
- 1/2 cup brown sugar ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 can kidney beans (16 oz.) ⓘ
- 1 can green beans, drained (16 oz.) ⓘ
- 2 medium onions, chopped
- 1/4 cup vinegar ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard ⓘ
- 1 (16 oz.) can baked beans ⓘ
- 1 (16 oz.) can garbanzo beans
- 1 (16 oz.) can butter beans, drained ⓘ
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, fry diced bacon and chopped onions until tender, about 5 minutes.
- Drain the grease and stir in brown sugar, vinegar, garlic salt, salt, and dry mustard.
- Add kidney beans, green beans, baked beans, garbanzo beans, and butter beans; simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Transfer the mixture to a 3-quart casserole dish and bake in a 350°F oven until hot and bubbly, about 1 1/2 hours.
Tips & Substitutions
For a smoky flavor, consider using smoked bacon or adding a dash of liquid smoke. If you're short on time, you can substitute canned beans with pre-cooked dried beans. Adjust the sweetness by adding more or less brown sugar based on your taste preference. This dish is versatile, and you can experiment with different types of beans or even add some chopped bell peppers for extra flavor.
Serving Suggestions
This baked bean dish pairs beautifully with grilled meats and is an excellent addition to a potluck or barbecue. Serve alongside cornbread or a fresh green salad for a complete meal. It also complements hearty sides like Cheesy Bacon And Ham Casserole or Leftover Mashed Potatoes, making it a fantastic option for family gatherings.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, you can microwave individual portions until hot or place the entire casserole dish back in a preheated oven at 350°F until warmed through. Adding a splash of water can help keep the beans moist during reheating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of 5 Baked Beans contains roughly 627 calories, with 22g protein, 123g carbohydrates, and 7g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (70% of the Daily Value), protein (45% of the Daily Value), and iron (34% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1687mg per serving (73% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this dish vegetarian?
Yes, you can easily make this dish vegetarian by omitting the bacon and using a vegetarian-friendly brown sugar. Additionally, you may want to add some spices like smoked paprika to mimic the smoky flavor.
How do I adjust the sweetness of the baked beans?
To adjust the sweetness, simply increase or decrease the amount of brown sugar to your taste. You can also balance the sweetness by adding a bit more vinegar for acidity or incorporating diced tomatoes for a slightly tangy flavor.
Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the mixture a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. When you're ready to bake, simply transfer it to a casserole dish and bake as directed. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully, enhancing the overall taste.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).