Easy Baked Beans
Delicious baked beans, caramelized to perfection, with smoky bacon and Cajun flavors.
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Rate this RecipeEquipment
- Oven-Safe Skillet A regular skillet can be used if transferred to a baking dish.
- Spatula
- Oven
- Paper Towel For draining bacon
Ingredients
- ½ pound thick-cut bacon Approx. 225 grams
- ½ small onion Diced (about 50 grams)
- ½ small green bell pepper Diced (about 60 grams)
- 1 small stalk celery Diced, optional (about 30 grams)
- 3 pound canned baked beans Two 28oz cans (approx. 1.36 kg) if needed
- ¼ cup ketchup Approx. 60 ml
- 2 tablespoon mustard Approx. 30 ml
- ¼ cup brown sugar Approx. 50 grams
- 2 tablespoon steen's syrup Maple syrup or molasses can be substituted
- 2 tablespoon barbecue sauce Preferably tangy
- worcestershire sauce A few dashes
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepare the Bacon and Cajun Trinity
- Start by frying 1/2 lb of thick-cut bacon in an oven-safe skillet over medium heat until it's nice and crispy. The bacon's fat will render down, providing a smoky and rich base for the next steps. Once the bacon is crispy, remove it from the skillet and place it on a paper towel to drain. Remember to keep that bacon grease in the skillet, as it will add deep flavor to your dish.
- Into the hot bacon grease, add the Cajun trinity—1/2 small onion (diced), 1/2 small green bell pepper (diced), and 1 small stalk of celery (diced, optional). Sauté these vegetables over medium heat until the onions are soft and translucent. This step is key to building the aromatic foundation that makes this recipe so flavorful.
Add the Baked Beans and Seasonings
- Once the vegetables are tender, add in a 3 lb can of baked beans (or two 28oz cans if you can’t find a large one). Stir well to incorporate the vegetables with the beans. Now, it’s time to add the magic: mix in 1/4 cup of ketchup, 2 tablespoons of mustard, 1/4 cup of brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of Steen’s syrup (or substitute maple syrup or molasses if needed), 2 tablespoons of tangy barbecue sauce, and a few dashes of Worcestershire sauce.
- Take 3/4 of the crispy bacon you cooked earlier and chop it up into small pieces. Mix it into the bean mixture, and make sure everything is well combined. This way, the smokiness from the bacon gets spread evenly through every bite.
Bake to Perfection
- After everything is well-mixed, smooth out the surface of the baked bean mixture. Sprinkle the remaining chopped bacon on top for that lovely finishing touch. This step is important as it ensures you get that golden, crispy layer of bacon in every serving.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Once ready, bake the skillet in the oven for 1 hour. The goal here is to let the flavors meld together and for the sauce to thicken and caramelize on top. The top will turn a nice dark golden color, while the inside stays luscious and flavorful.
Notes
Make sure to stir occasionally while baking if you like a more even caramelization. If you prefer a vegetarian version, use tempeh bacon and opt for vegan Worcestershire sauce.