Baked Beans To Can

Prep: 720 min Cook: 95 min Cuisine: American

Hearty baked beans with smoky bacon, rich molasses, and warm spices, perfect for comfort food lovers and suitable for family gatherings or casual meals.

Be the first to rate this recipe

Ingredients

  • 8 lb. beans
  • 1 1/2 lb. bacon
  • 1 lb. brown sugar
  • 4 1/2 Tbsp. salt
  • 1 c. molasses
  • 4 1/2 qt. tomato juice
  • 1 tsp. pepper
  • 2 tsp. cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Soak beans overnight.
  2. Next morning, cook beans until soft.
  3. Add remaining ingredients and mix well.
  4. Cold pack for 1.5 to 2 hours or 95 minutes at 10 pounds pressure.

Tips & Substitutions

For best results, soak the beans overnight to ensure they cook evenly and become tender. If you run out of bacon, you can substitute with smoked sausage or turkey bacon for a healthier option. Adjust the amount of brown sugar based on your desired sweetness, and consider adding a splash of Worcestershire sauce for extra depth, similar to Mrs. Stella's Chili.

Serving Suggestions

Baked beans are a hearty dish that pairs perfectly with cornbread, coleslaw, or grilled meats. Consider serving them alongside Kirt's Casserole for a comforting meal. For a complete dinner, add a side of roasted vegetables or a fresh garden salad to balance the richness of the beans.

Storage & Reheating

Once cooled, store any leftover baked beans in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to a week. To reheat, simply transfer to a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. Alternatively, you can microwave them in a covered dish, but be sure to stir halfway for even heating.

Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)

Each serving of Baked Beans To Can contains roughly 1479 calories, with 48g protein, 277g carbohydrates, and 24g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (157% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (154% of the Daily Value), and protein (95% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2644mg per serving (115% of the Daily Value).

1479 kcal 74% DV
Protein Fat Carbs

Macronutrients

Protein 47.6g 95% DV
Total Fat 23.9g 31% DV
Carbs 276.9g 100% DV
Fiber 43g 100% DV
Sugar 132.3g 100% DV

Electrolytes

Sodium 2643.6mg 100% DV
Potassium 3434mg 73% DV
Cholesterol 18.3mg 6% DV

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A 29.2mcg 3% DV
Vitamin C 141.7mg 100% DV
Calcium 379.8mg 29% DV
Iron 12.9mg 72% DV
Diet fit High-protein High-fiber Low-fat

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 use canned beans instead of dried beans?

Yes, you can use canned beans to save time. If using canned beans, skip the soaking and cooking steps but reduce the cooking time with the other ingredients to about 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.

How do I ensure my beans are not too salty?

To control saltiness, start with less salt and taste the mixture before canning. You can always add more salt later, but it's hard to fix an overly salty dish. Using low-sodium tomato juice can also help balance the flavors.

Can I freeze baked beans?

Absolutely! Baked beans freeze well for up to 3 months. Allow them to cool completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers. When ready to eat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stove or in the microwave.

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).

American recipes → Pork recipes → All recipes →