Baked Beans Quintet
A hearty baked bean dish combining smoky bacon, savory beans, and sweet sauces, perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings with robust flavors.
Ingredients
- 6 slices bacon ⓘ
- 1 cup chopped onion ⓘ
- 1 clove garlic, minced ⓘ
- 1 (16 oz.) can butter beans, drained ⓘ
- 1 (17 oz.) can lima beans, drained ⓘ
- 1 (15 oz.) can pork and beans
- 1 (15 oz.) can red kidney beans, drained ⓘ
- 1 (19 oz.) can chickpeas, drained ⓘ
- 3/4 cup catsup ⓘ
- 1/2 cup molasses ⓘ
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon prepared mustard ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper ⓘ
Instructions
- Cook bacon in a large skillet until crisp; remove bacon, reserving drippings in skillet.
- Crumble bacon and set aside.
- Cook onion and garlic in the drippings, stirring constantly, until tender; drain.
- Combine bacon, onion mixture, butter beans, lima beans, pork and beans, red kidney beans, and chickpeas in a large bowl.
- Stir in catsup, molasses, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, prepared mustard, and pepper.
- Spoon mixture into a lightly greased 2 1/2-quart baking dish.
- Cover and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 1 hour.
Tips & Substitutions
For a smoky flavor, try using smoked bacon or adding a dash of liquid smoke. If you don't have all the beans on hand, you can substitute with other canned beans like black beans or pinto beans. Adjust the sweetness by using less molasses or brown sugar if you prefer a less sweet dish. This recipe can be made ahead of time and tastes even better the next day.
Serving Suggestions
These baked beans are a hearty side perfect for summer barbecues or family gatherings. Serve them alongside grilled meats or as a filling dish with cornbread. They pair beautifully with Pork 'N Rice Casserole or Chili(Sam'S) for a comforting meal. Garnish with fresh herbs or additional bacon for extra flavor.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply place the baked beans in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. You can also microwave in a covered dish, stirring halfway through for even heating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Baked Beans Quintet contains roughly 710 calories, with 14g protein, 89g carbohydrates, and 35g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (51% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (37% of the Daily Value), and iron (36% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 683mg per serving (30% 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 recipe vegetarian?
Yes, you can make this dish vegetarian by omitting the bacon and using olive oil to sauté the onion and garlic. You might also want to add smoked paprika for a hint of smokiness that bacon would typically provide.
Can I freeze the baked beans?
Absolutely! Allow the baked beans to cool completely, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and warm them in a saucepan or microwave.
How can I adjust the sweetness level of this dish?
To adjust the sweetness, you can reduce the amount of molasses and brown sugar. Taste the mixture before baking and add more if you prefer a sweeter flavor. Alternatively, you can substitute with maple syrup for a different sweetness profile.
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).