Thick & Rich Canned Baked Beans

Want to know how to make canned baked beans taste homemade? These Canned Baked Beans take store-bought canned beans and dress them up with bacon and other flavorings for that “from scratch” taste! Bake in a cast iron skillet or dutch oven for a thick and rich side dish perfect for all your summer bbqs and picnics.

this recipe

It’s so easy to make canned baked beans taste homemade. Essentially simple ingredients are combined to produce a thick sauce with rich flavor.

• Add in some cooked bacon.
• Add in aromatic vegetables like bell peppers, jalapenos, chopped onion, and garlic.
• Sweeten with the deep flavor of molasses.
• Add tang with mustard and BBQ sauce.

While I have nothing against making baked beans from dry beans, it can be rather tricky and time consuming. Doctoring up canned beans is infinitely better!

This recipe is a modified version of one from the Pioneer Woman.

🥇 Why it’s great!

• This recipe uses the shortcut of canned baked beans and dresses them up so they have homemade flavor.
• The beans are perfectly cooked each time. No wondering if the beans are going to turn out hard.
• They take 15 minutes of hands-on time. After that you pop them in the oven and go about your day.
• They are delicious for your next potluck, summer picnics, or BBQ's all year long.

🍎 Key ingredients

A full list of the ingredients is in the recipe card below, but here are a few noteworthy tips.

Canned Beans: Any brand of canned baked beans can be used in this recipe. My favorite beans have the sweetness of maple syrup and the smoky flavor of bacon to start with. We are just going to intensify it.
Bacon: A good hardwood smoked bacon adds a smoky quality to these beans, but any bacon will do.
Yellow mustard: Regular yellow mustard is preferred, but stone ground mustard or spicy brown mustard can be substituted.
Barbeque sauce: Any brand and flavor of bbq sauce will work in this recipe. Choose the one you like best.
Molasses: Instead of brown sugar this recipe uses molasses without additional sugar. Although this is an optional ingredient it adds a depth of flavor that is absolutely delicious.
Jalapeno: Once the jalapeno is cooked the spice level is mellowed. The seeds may be removed to lower the heat level but maintain the flavor. Choose more or less depending on your heat preference.

🔪 How to make doctored canned beans

*Note: This recipe yields enough for 16-20 servings. If you want to cut it in half use an 8-inch cast iron skillet (affiliate) or small dutch oven. 

Start by cooking the diced bacon over medium heat in the 12-inch cast iron skillet (affiliate) or dutch oven until crispy. Be sure to get it as crispy as you like it. It will not get crispier once mixed in with the can of beans. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon leaving a little bit of bacon fat for flavor.

Add all the vegetables to the bacon grease and cook until tender, which should take about 4-5 minutes. Stir occasionally to keep them cooking evenly.

In order to make everything fit, each can of beans needs about ¼ of its liquid drained off. Now add in all remaining ingredients, except for one can of the beans and stir well. Carefully add in the final can of beans and stir gently. The pan will be VERY full! The entire recipe does fit but just barely. 

They bake in the oven for 35-45 minutes until they are thickened and bubby. For a bit of insurance, place a piece of heavy duty foil or a cookie sheet under the skillet to catch any drips.

If you don't have a cast iron pan this can be made in a large skillet on the stove top then transfer to a baking dish.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 For a crowd

These Canned Baked Beans are the best baked beans recipe for serving a crowd. They are absolutely perfect for family reunions, potlucks, BBQ’s, and picnics. Each recipe requires a 12-inch cast iron skillet (affiliate). If doubling, use 2 skillets or use a large dutch oven. A doubled recipe will serve a lot of people.

If desired they can be made in a slow cooker although they won’t be quite as thick and rich. See the FAQ's below.

🙋 Questions and Answers

What to serve with canned baked beans

• Hot dogs and hamburgers
• Fresh fruit tossed in this easy fruit salad dressing
• Twice baked potato casserole
• Stovetop Mac and Cheese or the BEST Baked Mac and Cheese

👨🏼‍🍳 Tips & Tricks

• The flavor in the canned baked beans and bbq sauce contribute to the overall taste, so choose brands that you like.
• Place a piece of foil or cookie sheet under the skillet to catch any overflow.
• The bacon will not continue to get crispy once it is stirred into the canned beans, so be sure to get it as crispy as you like it while it’s in the skillet.

📖 Other great bbq and picnic recipes

• Grilled honey mustard chicken breasts - No need to marinade chicken when you have this recipe.
• Summer fruit salad with honey lime dressing - The perfect balance of sweet and tangy!
• Pan roasted corn (using frozen corn) - A simple way to caramelize corn kernels!
• Raspberry jam bars in 9x13 pan - A burst of sweet raspberry flavor for your taste buds.
• Golden Grahams Rice Krispie Treats - A great way to dress up your childhood favorite!