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Close-up of Easy Baked Beans with Bacon showing the shimmering reddish-brown glaze and cracked black pepper.

Easy Baked Beans with Bacon: The Ultimate Smoky and Sweet Side Dish

This Easy Baked Beans with Bacon recipe features tender navy beans in a thick, reddish-brown molasses sauce. Topped with crispy bacon and cracked pepper, it's the perfect shimmering, glossy side dish for your next BBQ.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 8 cups
Course: Dinner, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 285
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 3 cans (15oz/425g) Navy Beans Drained and rinsed
  • 6 slices Thick-Cut Bacon Chopped
  • 1 large (200g) Yellow Onion Finely diced
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) Molasses Unsulphured
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) Ketchup
  • 1 tsp (5g) Cracked Black Pepper
  • 1 tsp (1g) Dried Parsley Flakes For garnish

Equipment

  • 1 Large skillet or Dutch oven Oven-safe preferred
  • 1 Slotted Spoon

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Cook chopped bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy and browned. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon, reserving 2 tbsp of fat.
  2. Add diced onions to the bacon fat and cook until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
  3. Stir in molasses, ketchup, and black pepper. Simmer until the sauce is a thick, reddish-brown glaze.
  4. Fold in beans and bacon. Transfer to a 350°F (175°C) oven and bake for 45-60 minutes until viscous and shimmering.

Notes

Use thick-cut bacon for the best texture chunks.
Let the beans rest for 10 minutes after baking to allow the sauce to fully thicken.