Baked beans are the perfect side dish for a summer bbq, family potluck, or weeknight dinner. I love that this recipe uses a sauce based on stewed tomatoes instead of ketchup. Instead of the usual 1/2 cup or more of brown sugar, it only calls for 2 tablespoons, and the molasses is enough to add a little sweetness and richness, but it’s not overpowering. I also love that you can throw everything together a few days ahead of time and then pop it in the oven an hour before you need it or, if it works better for you, you can even cook this dish in a slow cooker. Try these baked beans for your next backyard bbq!
Ingredient Notes
- Great Northern Beans
- Navy Beans
- Baby Butter Beans
- Pinto Beans
- Stewed Tomatoes – One unique thing about this recipe is that the base of the sauce is stewed tomatoes, instead of super sweet ketchup like many baked bean recipes.
- Molasses – Must a touch of molasses adds some sweetness and depth t the flavors.
- Light Brown Sugar – Again, just a little sweetness is added with a couple of tablespoons of brown sugar.
- Yellow Mustard – This recipe calls for yellow mustard, but a nice coarse grain mustard would probably work just as well in a pinch.
- Tabasco Sauce – Or something similar. Any hot sauce will do. This adds a little something to the sauce without being spicy.
- Bacon – Everything is better with bacon and these beans are no exception!
- Onion – The onion here gets cooked up in the bacon drippings to add that caramelized, smoky flavor.
How to Make Not-Too-Sweet Baked Beans
- Fry up a few slices of bacon, cook your onions in the bacon drippings, and rinse and drain your beans.
- Place beans in an oven-safe dish or a crockpot. Place the tomatoes in the jar of your blender and pulse a few times. Add them to the beans, along with the molasses, mustard, brown sugar, and salt
- Add the cooked onions and bacon.
- Cook the beans in either in the oven or the crockpot, until the flavors combine and your house smells amazing. It’s perfect for any type of festivity any time throughout the year, but there is something about a big pan of baked beans at a cookout that just fits, you know?
Storing and Other Tips
- For cooked beans or leftovers, store tightly covered in the fridge and use within 4 or 5 days. They also freeze well, if you want to freeze in individual portions for later use.
- These baked beans can be in the oven or the crock pot. The oven is the faster cooking method, but the crock pot is nice for keeping the beans warm is serving a crowd. You could always bake them in the oven and then transfer to the slow cooker for serving as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these with different beans?
Absolutely. Part of the charm of this recipe is the fact that it contains multiple types of beans, but you don’t have to use the exact combination listed. Don’t like butter beans? No problem! Toss some black beans in there. It will be delicious with whatever varieties you choose.
Can I make these ahead of time?
These baked beans are perfect for making ahead! Cook your bacon and sauté your onions in the drippings. Pulse your tomatoes in the blender, then mix everything together. You can store them, tightly covered, in the fridge like this until ready to cook.
Not-Too-Sweet Baked Beans
These savory baked beans are cooked in a stewed tomato-based sauce and contain just a touch of molasses and brown sugar for sweetness.
Servings people
Equipment
- Slow Cooker optional
Ingredients
- 1 15 ½- ounce can Great Northern beans
- 1 15 ½- ounce can navy beans
- 1 15 ½- ounce can baby butter beans
- 1 15 ½- ounce can pinto beans
- 2 14 -½ ounce cans stewed tomatoes
- ⅓ cup molasses
- 2 tablespoon light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoon prepared mustard
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Tabasco or other hot sauce
- 6 ounces bacon ½ of an average-sized package, divided
- 1 medium onion thinly sliced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350℉. Reserving two slices of bacon, cook the remaining bacon in a large skillet. While it’s cooking, place all beans in a colander and rinse and drain. Transfer to a large baking dish.
- Pulse the tomatoes in a blender or food processor about 5-6 times or until they are breaking down but not smooth. Pour over beans. Add molasses, brown sugar, mustard, salt, and pepper.
- When the bacon has cooked, remove bacon from the pan and cook the onions in the bacon drippings, stirring frequently. While the onions are cooking, crumble the cooked bacon over the beans. Add onions and combine all the ingredients well. Cut remaining slices of bacon into 1″ pieces and place over the beans.
- Cover and bake at 350 for 1 hour. Allow to stand for 5 minutes and then serve.
SLOW COOKER INSTRUCTIONS
- Follow the instructions for cooking in the oven, except place the ingredients in the crock of a slow cooker instead of baking dish. Cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2 hours.
Notes
- For cooked beans or leftovers, store tightly covered in the fridge and use within 4 or 5 days. They also freeze well, if you want to freeze in individual portions for later use.
- These baked beans can be in the oven or the crock pot. The oven is the faster cooking method, but the crock pot is nice for keeping the beans warm is serving a crowd. You could always bake them in the oven and then transfer to the slow cooker for serving as well.
- Part of the charm of this recipe is the fact that it contains multiple types of beans, but you don’t have to use the exact combination listed. Don’t like butter beans? No problem! Toss some black beans in there. It will be delicious with whatever varieties you choose.
- Don’t skip rinsing! This step is vital, as it both improves the flavor and texture of this dish.
Nutrition
Calories: 322kcal, Carbohydrates: 49g, Protein: 16g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0.02g, Cholesterol: 11mg, Sodium: 788mg, Potassium: 936mg, Fiber: 11g, Sugar: 13g, Vitamin A: 89IU, Vitamin C: 6mg, Calcium: 117mg, Iron: 5mg
Calories: 322kcal
Cost: $10
Did You Make This Recipe?Snap a picture, and hashtag it #ourbestbites. We love to see your creations on our Instagram @ourbestbites!
Questions & Reviews
Do you think turkey bacon will work in this? I am trying to “lighten up” my eating.
Thanks!
I made this recipe prior to eliminating pork from my diet and remember it being very tasty. I’d like to make this again, without the bacon. Any suggestions for substitutions/alterations? I’m thinking maybe a few dashes of liquid smoke and perhaps a tiny bit of chipotle chili powder.
How many will this recipe feed?
About 10-12.
I made these for a potluck last weekend. They were a huge hit… People wanted the recipe. Thanks!
Do you drain any of the bacon grease out of the onions or put it all in?
It’s up to you and your bacon. 🙂 If it seems like there’s a lot of grease, go ahead and drain some of it, but a leaner cut will render less fat. You’ll want in the neighborhood of at least 2-3 tablespoons.
Just made these for a BBQ to go w/briskit (sp?) they were a hit & perfect w/the meat..yum!!
My husband and I threw this together in the crockpot on the morning of Mother’s Day and enjoyed them with dinner that night. So easy and just the right amount of sweetness. Thanks so much!
Kate … I love your ideas!! Thanks!! THe meal of side dishes is fun and different, I'm starting there 🙂
HWFA–What about barbecued chicken? Or the fauxtisserie chicken here on the blog? There's ribs, turkey burgers, or maybe a cobb or chef salad. Or you could make a meal out of side dishes like the baked beans, corn on the cobb, cornbread, coleslaw, etc. Hope that helps! 🙂
I want to use these as a main dish … is there something else I could serve them with to make that work that isn't hamburgers and hot dogs??? thanks!!