by Mary Neumann · 187 Comments
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My family’s go-to baked beans recipe for decades – Anastasia’s Best-Ever Baked Beans, make in the oven or slow cooker. These are a must-have at barbecues and get-togethers. This shortcut recipe is easy to make, so darn good. Rave Reviews!
Best-Ever Baked Beans Recipe (Oven or Slow Cooker/Crock Pot)
My sister’s famous baked beans recipe, an easy-to-make, go-to favorite side dish – made with canned pork and beans, sautéed onions, molasses, brown sugar, ketchup, mustard, and bacon… a big ol’ dish of comfort! The perfect side for so many meals, holidays, potlucks, picnics and barbecues. Simple to make. So good. Sure to become a new favorite! Read the rave reviews!
RAVE REVIEWSFROM PEOPLE WHO TRIED THIS RECIPE ON PINTEREST!
MoreGreat Reviews and even More Reviews
Original Recipe Post Date, April 3, 2016. Post Updated, April 1, 2023.
My friend, Marsha, from The Better Baker, won PEOPLE’S CHOICE at her local Beans Day festival with my sister’s recipe!Head over to read her fun post!
WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE THESE EASY BAKED BEANS
- canned pork and beans (VanCamps’s canned Pork and Beans or similar)
- onion
- butter
- ketchup
- molasses
- yellow mustard
- brown sugar
- bacon
How to Make the best baked beans in the oven or slow cooker
Preheat oven to 325 degrees f. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
Sauté onionsover medium to medium-high heat in butter until onions are tender andtranslucent.
Mix beans, ketchup, mustard, molasses andbrownsugar…
Next, add the sautéd onions and mix well and pour in prepared baking dish.
Top with uncooked bacon in single layer.
Bake on middle rack of oven uncovered for 2–3 hours.
Beans are ready when the top is dark andcaramelized. Serve warm. Enjoy!
How To Make in the Slow Cooker
These can also be thrown together and cooked in the slow cooker set on low for 6 to 8 hours as well. It won’t get that nice caramelize top, but it will still be delicious if you’re in a pinch for time. Be sure to sauté the onions first and pre-cook the bacon.
Frequesnlty asked Baked Beans questions
How long do you cook the baked beans?
Prep time for the baked beans is about 20 mins. They are baked low and slow fin the oven for 2–3 hours, until the bacon is dark and caramelized.
What method is best, oven or crock pot?
The oven is best. The oven allows the bacon to caramelize. So good.
What’s the best pork and beans to use?
We use VanCamp’s, but others have used different brands and love the results.
Can you prepare the beans ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare everything the night before, then pop them in the oven the next day.
What kind of molasses should I use?
For this recipe, use unsulphured molasses. 
How Long Do Leftover Baked Beans Last in the Fridge?
Store leftover baked beans in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. You can reheat the baked beans in the microwave, stove or oven.
Want More Great Side Dishes for your next get-together?
- Grandma B’s Cucumber Salad
- Cranberry Apple Coleslaw
- Best-Ever Amish Macaroni Salad
- The Best Potato Salad Recipe (Seriously the best!! An Ina Garten recipe)
- Best Broccoli Salad Recipe
PLEASE NOTE: This is not a sponsored post. I have no affiliation with any of the products shared in this recipe.
Anastasia’s Best-Ever Baked Beans (Oven or Slow Cooker)
The BEST Baked Beans Recipe (Oven or Slow Cooker) – Family and friends' favorite for decades. Easy to make, so darn good. Rave reviews!
5 from 50 votes
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 3 hours hrs
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 10 -12
Ingredients
- 5 cans pork and beans (15 ounce cans) VanCamps’s Pork and Beans or similar
- 1 large yellow or sweet onion, chopped (or 2 medium size onions) not vidalia
- 1 – 2 Tablespoons butter (forsautéingonions)
- ¾ cup ketchup
- 3 Tablespoons yellow mustard
- ½ cup molasses, unsulphured
- ¼ – ½ cup brown sugar (use less for less sweetness)
- 6-8 slices uncooked bacon (each slice cut in half or thirds)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees f. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
Sauté onionsover medium to medium-high heat in butter until onions are tender andtranslucent.
Mix beans, ketchup, mustard, molasses andbrownsugar.
Add the sautéd onions and mix well and pour in prepared baking dish.
Top with uncooked bacon in single layer. Bake on middle rack of oven uncovered for 2–3 hours. Beans are ready when the top is dark andcaramelized.
Notes
Store baked beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3–4 days.
Reheat leftover baked beans in the microwave, oven or stove top.
How To Make Baked Beans in the Slow Cooker/Crock Pot:
These can also be thrown together and cooked in the slow cooker set on low for 6 to 8 hours as well. It won’t get that nice caramelize top, but it will still be delicious if you’re in a pinch for time. Be sure to sauté the onions first and pre-cook the bacon.
BEANS FROM SCRATCH, for those of you who would never make beans from a can – If you want to make baked beans from scratch, head here for a great recipe –Boston Baked Beans–“A wonderful old-fashioned baked bean flavor. This recipe has served by family for 29 years and originally came from my mother-in-law. It tastes great served with fresh cornbread or biscuits and honey. Although you need to allow time for soaking and simmering the beans, this recipe is still quite easy.”
Keyword Baked Beans, Easy Baked Beans, Oven Baked Beans, Slow Cooker Baked Beans
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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Reader Interactions
Comments
Cathie
I’ve been making this recipe for over 40 years, I’ve found that using a variety of proteins like pulled pork, smoked brisket or bacon amps up the dish to a lovely level. We serve this when my husband uses the smoker for his amazing pork or brisket. Also with coleslaw as a side. I’ve also found that it really only needs about 1 hour of baking time for a juicier less dry outcome. All in all its a terrific recipe.
Reply
Shari murray
Do u have measurements for half ing this recipe? There r only 5 of us n this is way too much for us. Thank u.
Reply
Peg
This is a favorite of ours. Delicious….. I don’t drain the beans because I tried that once and they were dry. Thanks for a great recipe!Reply
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