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Learn how to make the best baked beans with bacon and bourbon using a can of beans or a bag of dry beans. Featuring brown sugar, rich whiskey, and bacon, these easy bacon beans are an irresistible blend of bold sweet, savory and smoky flavors. This ultimate baked bean bacon recipe doesn’t mess around and it’s always a hit with a crowd!

“Delicious! I used a little vanilla, didn’t have Bourbon but used Rum. Great smokey taste.”

– Diana
Angled photo of baked beans with bacon recipe in a large white pot with a wood serving spoon lifting up the beans.

Update: This post was originally published in June 2015. I made a few tweaks to the recipe, along with a few updates the post below to include more information about making baked beans with bacon and bourbon at home.

Hi, friends! I hope you are ready to get your grub on!

Today I am sharing a recipe for the most magical fruit! Because really, no summer gathering is complete without some epic barbecued beans! While canned BBQ beans are cheap and convenient, they just can’t compete with the complex, robust flavor found in this brown sugar baked beans recipe!!

Table of Contents

About this easy baked beans with bacon recipe

This baked beans with bacon recipe is the perfect side dish for any BBQ, pool party, picnic or potluck! And, they are so delicious you will want to eat them with every meal this summer!

I know everyone has a recipe for baked beans, and everyone claims theirs is the best. I’m not bold (or naïve) enough to stake a claim that mine are the absolute best in the entire world. I mean, I haven’t tried every single Southern baked bean recipe out there. However, I can confidently state that these beans in barbecue sauce, they are pretty darn epic! They’re positively bursting with bold, bodacious barbecue flavor and always a hit at any and every party!

My better half is incredibly picky when it comes to baked beans. And, he has been devouring these melt-in-your-mouth, magically delicious homemade bacon baked beans twice daily for a week. And, he keeps requesting that I make more! 

This southern recipe is like a choose-your-own-adventure for BBQ beans. Use dried beans or canned beans, make them in the oven, a slow cooker, a crock pot, or slow cook them on the stove. Regardless how you make them, these whiskey beans are the ideal side dish for potlucks, summer picnics, backyard barbecues and outdoor cookouts!

Why you will love this recipe

  • Can or dry beans! You can make baked beans and bacon using either canned beans or dried beans, depending upon your preference!
  • Any variety of beans! Most traditional recipes use haricot beans (aka navy beans). However, you can use any variety of white beans you love to make these whiskey beans!
  • “Bake” beans YOUR way! Making these bacon beans is truly SO easy! You can cook these beans in the oven, slow cooker, crockpot or on the stove!
  • All the robust BBQ flavor!! Featuring sweet brown sugar, smooth notes of bourbon and a plethora of bacon, this baked bean recipe truly is the best!
Overhead close-up photo of bacon baked beans with candied bacon, bourbon and brown sugar.

Ingredients for baked bacon beans

  • Bacon: Classic southern-style baked beans contain bacon. Bacon provides an incredibly delicious smokey and slightly salty flavor. However, you can omit the bacon and make these beans vegetarian if desired!
  • Navy Beans: You can use dried or pre-cooked canned beans in this recipe. Dried beans result in the best texture and taste. However, canned beans are definitely more convenient. Dried beans will need to be soaked and cooked before you proceed with the recipe. I have included full instructions for both dried and canned beans in the recipe below.
  • Vegetables: Sautéed sweet onion, bell pepper and garlic provide a flavorful base for the beans.
  • Bourbon: Bourbon is slightly sweet with notes of vanilla and caramel. The bourbon enhances all the overall flavor of the beans. Save expensive single-barrel and small-batch bourbons for drinking. Use a regular bourbon such as Jim Beam or Wild Turkey in this recipe. If you want to make these beans without alcohol, use 1 tablespoon of pure vanilla extract instead. (Leftover bourbon? Make this ginger bourbon cocktail or whiskey meatballs)
  • Ketchup: Sweet and tangy ketchup help provide the base for the beans classic barbecue taste!
  • Sugar: Light brown sugar provides a rich sweetness and moist texture. If you prefer a stronger molasses flavor in your beans, feel free to use dark brown sugar instead!
  • Molasses: Thick molasses adds a touch of warm, sweet, somewhat smoky flavor. I recommend a medium or dark molasses for the most robust flavor. However, I avoid blackstrap molasses as it has a distinct bitter flavor.
  • Mustard: Yellow mustard offers the beans a clean, sharp mustard flavor. You can swap out yellow mustard for spicy brown or dijon if desired!
  • Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar provides the perfect tart, dry flavor to balance all the sweet!
  • Worcestershire Sauce: While not a classic ingredient in beans, Worcestershire sauce adds a delicious savory and sweet flavor with a distinct tangy taste.

FAQs: frequently asked questions

You’ve got questions? I’ve got answers! If you have a question you don’t see listed below, please drop them in the comments section. I’m happy to help when I can! 

Which type of beans should I use?

Navy beans, also known as haricot beans in the U.K, are traditionally used for baked beans. However, you can also use pinto beans or great northern beans if you prefer!

What can I add to baked beans recipes with bacon for more flavor?

This homemade baked bean recipe is very forgiving and flexible! You can easily adjust the recipe to your specific taste, or add any flavor-enhancing ingredients you love!

  • Spicy Peppers: Jalapeño and chipotle peppers are a wonderful way to spice up these beans!
  • Dried Spices: Smoked paprika is my favorite seasoning to add. It will enhance the sweet and smoky flavors without adding any heat.
  • Fresh Herbs: Minced fresh parsley will brighten up the beans and balance out the savory flavors.
  • Liquid Smoke: A few dashes of liquid smoke is a great way to add more smoky flavor! Just be cautious, as it is very strong in flavor. Start with 1/2 teaspoon and taste the beans before adding more.
  • Ground Beef or Sausage: For incredibly hearty, meaty beans, add either ground beef or ground sausage!

What do bacon beans taste like?

These saucy bourbon baked beans are the perfect mix of sweet, savory, spicy and smoky flavors with a hearty, meaty taste and an unbelievably tender texture! Not to mention, they are a billion times better tasting than that crap in a can.

While these brown sugar and bacon baked beans are all that jazz in the taste department, they can be made even better for those of you looking for a truly ultimate baked bean experience. How? By adding a generous sprinkling of candied bacon! The sweet crispness of candied bacon takes the flavor to a stratospheric level of yum!

Trust me, you haven’t had epic baked beans until you have had these beans with bacon and brown sugar (and whiskey!)!! So, stop reaching for a can of preservative-filled beans and cook up these easy and ultimately delicious brown sugar and bacon baked beans instead!

What goes in baked beans with bacon?

Baked beans are a popular American comfort food perhaps best known for being served as a side dish at barbecues. BBQ beans are typically prepared using dried or cooked white beans (known as haricot beans in the U.K.) and other enriching ingredients, such as molasses, brown sugar, ketchup, mustard and vinegar, along with flavorful seasonings.

The exact ingredients and overall flavor of the baked bean dish can vary greatly depending on the region or country. While traditional Boston beans originally contained pork (salt pork or pancetta), British beans are simply made in a tomato sauce.

The best thing about making baked beans from scratch is you can control the ingredients! If you prefer your baked beans with bacon on the sweeter taste, add more brown sugar! Or if you prefer a smoked bourbon baked beans, add in a few dashes of liquid smoke! This easy recipe for baked beans is the perfect starting point to preparing the best BBQ beans of your life!

Close-up angled photo of baked bean recipe with bacon.

How to make baked beans bacon?

Preparing these saucy, smoky and sweet beans is a total breeze! This recipe only requires 15 minutes of hands on preparation and can be made in the oven or slow cooker (crockpot) or on the stove! Canned or tinned beans may be cheap and convenient, however they just can’t compete with the complex, robust flavor found in these homemade beans!!

  1. Partially cook bacon. Cook diced bacon halfway through in large pot.
  2. Add vegetables. Sauté the peppers, onions and garlic with the bacon and bacon fat.
  3. Add beans, bourbon, ketchup, sugar, molasses, mustard, vinegar and Worcestershire. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer.
  4. Cook beans according to desired method – oven, slow cooker or stove-top. Either cover the beans and continue to cook on the stove-top or transfer beans to a preheated oven. Or, transfer the beans to a slow cooker and cook on low.
  5. Taste. Adjust for seasoning with salt and pepper if desired.
  6. Serve and enjoy!

Step-by-step photos: making this recipe at home

Step-by-step photo collage showing how to make baked beans recipe with bacon on the stove-top.

Serving suggestions

Are you looking for new and exciting ways to serve this homemade easy baked beans recipe? Below are a few of my family’s favorite ways to serve and enjoy these beans!

What goes with this baked bean recipe with bacon? 

Homemade baked beans are a wonderfully versatile side dish and a delicious complement to any number of different dishes! Traditionally, beans are served with sausages, however they really do taste delicious with any kind of barbecued main or protein off of the grill!

My go-to barbecue recipes include: Bacon Devilled Eggs, Italian Salad, No-Mayo Potato Salad, Jalapeno Slaw Recipe, and The Best Homemade Burgers. Below are more entrees and side dishes that pair perfectly with these beans and bacon recipe.

Main dishes to serve alongside

If you are throwing a backyard BBQ or summer party and need more side options to make a complete meal, check out below!

Dishes to serve on the side

Don’t forget to serve some refreshingly cool treats for dessert! I’m a fan of this butter pecan ice cream, ice cream with fresh blueberries, easy banana pudding, key lime cheesecake, strawberry sundae, and strawberry milkshake for adults.

Action photo of a spoon lifting baked beans bacon from a pot.

Storing leftovers

Please follow the simple tips below to ensure you are properly storing baked bbq beans with bacon!

How long will bourbon baked beans keep?

Leftover beans will last 1 week when properly stored. Before storing your beans, make sure you allow them to cool completely to room temperature. Once cool, transfer the beans to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator. Alternately, you can freeze beans to extend their shelf life (see below)!

Can I freeze this?

These sweet baked beans with bacon freeze beautifully! In fact, I always make sure I prepare extra baked beans just to have leftovers! Freezing baked beans is ridiculously easy as long as you follow a few simple rules!

Freezing instructions

  • Cool the beans: Allow baked beans to cool completely to room temperature before freezing. If you try to freeze beans while they are still hot, it will cause the container to expand and possibly break in the freezer.
  • Use a freezer safe container: Once cooled, transfer the beans into an airtight, freezer-safe container.
  • Leave headspace: Make sure you leave a little bit of space at the top of the container to account for expansion. Gently push down on any floating pieces of bacon to ensure they are covered by the sauce (this will prevent the meat from drying out). Cover the baked beans with an airtight lid and transfer to the freezer.

Baked beans will keep well for up to 3 months in the freezer.

To use: Remove the bbq beans from the freezer and thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat according to instructions below.

Pro-tip: Make sure you write the date you prepared the baked beans on the container, plus the 3 month mark, so you know when they expire!

Reheating instructions

Reheating leftover homemade beans is so simple! In fact, some people prefer reheated baked beans – they claim the beans are more flavorsome as the flavors have had an opportunity to develop and marry!

There are two easy ways you can reheat barbecue beans:

  • The oven: Remove your homemade baked beans from their storage container and transfer them to an oven-safe container. Cover the container with foil and bake in an oven preheated to 350 degrees F for 18-20 minutes, or until their internal temperature is 165 degrees F.
  • The stovetop: To do so, remove the prepared baked beans from their storage container, transfer them to a sauce pot and reheat them over medium to medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed throughout and an internal temperature of 165 degrees F (about 10-12 minutes).

Chef’s Note: The amount of time listed above is a guideline. The precise length of time will depend on the strength of your oven or stove, as well as the amount of beans and bacon you are reheating.

Overhead photo of baked beans with bacon in a large white pot with a wood serving spoon.

You should most definitely make this Easy Southern Baked Beans recipe for dinner tomorrow. I can guarantee you and your family will love them!

Cheyanne

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Baked beans recipe testimonials!

Here’s what some readers are saying about these tried and true Bacon Baked Beans.

  • “Love this recipe! I omitted the green peppers because I hate them, probably would have been okay in this recipe but social distancing!” – Danielle
  • “Amazing flavor! I didn’t have bourbon, so I used whiskey.” – Dangle
  • “Made it! Delish! Thank you!” – Nikki
Overhead photo of easy baked beans made with bacon and brown sugar in a large white pot with a wooden spoon stirring the beans.

Easy Baked Beans Recipe with Bacon

4.87 from 23 votes
Author: Cheyanne Holzworth
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 12 Servings
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
These southern style Homemade Bacon Baked Beans are jam packed with bold BBQ flavor and a billion times better than the stuff from a can! Smoky, spicy, sweet, and bursting with brown sugar and bacon, this recipe for bacon beans is perfect for your next potluck, barbecue or summer soiree!
Recipe can be scaled up or down by using the slider if you hover your mouse over the number of Servings.

Equipment

  • Large Pot or Dutch Oven
  • Slow Cooker or Crockpot (OPTIONAL)
  • Large Rimmed Baking Sheet (OPTIONAL)

Ingredients 

Instructions

  • Partially cook bacon: Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat and add chopped bacon. Cook for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Add veggies: Add in the onion, bell pepper and season generously with salt and pepper. Cook until softened, about 4-5 minutes. Add in the garlic and cook until fragrant and the bacon is browned, about 1 minute.
  • Add in the remaining ingredients (if using slow cooker method, reduce water to ½ cup*), stirring to make sure everything is well combined. Season generously with salt and pepper. Bring everything to a simmer and cover with a tight fitting lid.
  • OVEN: Cover pot and transfer it to a preheat 300 degree F oven (make sure oven rack is set to lower-middle position). Bake for 45 minutes, stirring once halfway through cooking. Remove the lid, stir, and continue to bake until the sauce is thickened and sticky, about an additional 30-45 minutes. If needed during baking, add more water to adjust consistency.
  • STOVE TOP: Cover pot and reduce heat to maintain a simmer (between medium to medium-low). Cook, stirring at 30 minute intervals, for 1 ½ hours, or until the sauce is thickened and sticky.
  • SLOW COOKER: (Make sure you reduced water to ½ cup in step 2) Transfer everything to the slow cooker and cook for 6 hours on LOW.
    (Note: While the beans are slow cooking, make the candied bacon, let it cool and chop it into bite size pieces – if using.)
  • Serve: Taste beans and adjust for salt and pepper to taste. Top with candied bacon if using. Enjoy!

Video

Notes

  1. Beans: You can substitute any kind of beans you would like: Northern, Pinto, Red Kidney Beans, or use a mix of two!
  2. Cooking Bacon: If your bacon is lean, add a small drizzle of oil to the pan before adding the bacon.
  3. Thickening Beans: If the beans aren’t thickened and sticky, continue to cook them with the lid OFF until mixture thickens to desired consistency.
  4. If you want to cook the beans in the oven AND garnish with candied bacon, cook the candied bacon in advance. It will keep in a zip-closure bag, or container with a tight fitting lid, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
*To Use Dried Beans: (You will need 1 pound of dried beans)
  1. Soak Beans:
    • Overnight method: Whisk together 8 cups of water with ½ tsp baking soda and 2 TBS kosher salt in a large pot. Add the beans, cover, and let soak at room temperature overnight (or about 8 hours). Transfer to a colander to drain and rinse well with running water.
    • Quick soak method: Place beans in a large pot with ½ tsp baking soda and 2 TBS kosher salt. Add enough water to cover the beans by 2-3’’. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook 3 minutes. Remove beans from heat, cover and let stand for 1 hour. Transfer beans to a colander to drain and rinse well with running water.
  2. Cook Beans: Add beans back to the pot and add enough water to cover the beans by 3’’. Bring beans to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 1 hour. Drain and proceed with recipe as instructed.
Recipe Yield: Roughly 10 cups
Nutritional information is an approximation based upon 12 servings.  Exact information will depend upon the brands of ingredients and precise measurements used.

Nutrition

Calories: 516kcal    Carbohydrates: 66g    Protein: 16g    Fat: 15g    Saturated Fat: 5g    Cholesterol: 24mg    Sodium: 483mg    Potassium: 850mg    Fiber: 14g    Sugar: 30g    Vitamin A: 150IU    Vitamin C: 6.9mg    Calcium: 136mg    Iron: 4.1mg
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American

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