What makes these baked beans 'Southern-style'?

Southern-style baked beans are typically characterized by a rich, sweet, and savory sauce, often featuring a blend of ketchup, BBQ sauce, brown sugar, and Worcestershire. The addition of pork or bacon for a smoky flavor is also a hallmark of this beloved regional dish.

What kind of bacon should I use for this recipe?

For the best flavor and texture, we recommend using thick-cut bacon. It crisps up beautifully on top of the beans and provides a satisfying smoky, savory contrast to the sweet sauce. Regular-cut bacon will also work, but keep an eye on it to prevent overcooking.

Can I add other ingredients to customize these baked beans?

Yes! Feel free to customize. Some popular additions include sautu00e9ed chopped onion or bell pepper (add them to the bean mixture before baking), a dash of hot sauce for a kick, or even some drained pineapple for extra sweetness. Cooked ground beef or sausage can also be stirred in for a heartier dish.

Best Southern-Style Baked Beans with Bacon (Easy & Authentic!)

Name: Southern-Style Baked Beans with Bacon
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h 30 min
Total time: 1 h 45 min
Cuisine: Southern American
Ingredients: 2 cans (28 oz each) pork n’ beans, undrained; ½ cup ketchup; ½ cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand); ¼ cup packed light brown sugar; 1 Tbsp yellow mustard; 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce; Few drops Liquid Smoke (optional, for extra smokiness); ¼ tsp garlic powder; ¼ tsp black pepper; 5–6 slices thick-cut bacon

Description

Savor the taste of the South with these irresistible baked beans, slow-cooked to perfection in a rich, sweet, and smoky sauce, and topped with savory, crispy bacon.

Ingredients

Scale

2 cans (28 oz each) pork n’ beans, undrained
½ cup ketchup
½ cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand)
¼ cup packed light brown sugar
1 Tbsp yellow mustard
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
Few drops Liquid Smoke (optional, for extra smokiness)
¼ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp black pepper
5–6 slices thick-cut bacon

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Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, combine the undrained pork n’ beans, ketchup, BBQ sauce, brown sugar, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke (if using), garlic powder, and black pepper. Stir well to ensure all ingredients are thoroughly mixed.
Step 2: Pour the bean mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish or a large oven-safe pot. Arrange the slices of thick-cut bacon evenly over the top of the bean mixture. The bacon will cook and crisp up as the beans bake.
Step 3: Bake for 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes, or until the beans are bubbly and the bacon is crispy. If the bacon is browning too quickly, you can loosely tent the dish with foil for the last 30 minutes of cooking. The beans should be thick and caramelized.
Step 4: Once done, carefully remove from the oven. Let the baked beans rest for 10-15 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to set slightly. Serve warm and enjoy!

Notes

For an extra layer of flavor, you can sauté some chopped onion or bell pepper with the bacon before adding it to the beans. These beans are perfect for potlucks and BBQs, and they reheat beautifully. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 320 kcal
Sugar: 25g
Sodium: 800mg
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 7g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Fiber: 7g
Protein: 15g
Cholesterol: 25mg

Description

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

Nutrition

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