Classic baked beans are smoky-sweet with Great Northern beans, crispy bacon, molasses, green bell peppers, and a rich blend of savory flavors.
American - Side Dish

Classic Baked Beans

Classic Baked Beans are sweet and smoky with bacon, molasses, green bell peppers, and a rich blend of savory flavors.

A close-up view of a rich and savory bean stew with pieces of meat, featuring various beans and vegetables simmering in a thick, flavorful broth.

Sweet, smoky, and packed with flavor—these classic baked beans are the ultimate comfort side dish. Made with tender great northern beans, crispy bacon, and fresh green pepper, every bite is rich, hearty, and perfectly balanced. A blend of savory and subtle sweetness creates that slow-cooked, homemade taste that brings everyone back for seconds.

Serve these Classic Baked Beans with delicious sides. Try pairing them with Spicy dill Pickle Potato Salad, Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad, and Classic Deviled Eggs for your BBQ.

Close-up of a rustic clay pot filled with bean stew, featuring a rich tomato-based broth, pieces of bacon, and a variety of beans and vegetables.

Ingredients in Classic Baked Beans

  • Beans – Great Northern Beans are the classic choice, but you can sub your favorite beans.
  • Bacon – Several strips of good smoky bacon.
  • Green Pepper – Green bell pepper adds that fresh zesty flavor.
  • Onion – Sweet yellow onion.
  • Garlic – Gotta have garlic.
  • Smoked Paprika – I like the smoky flavor of smoked paprika, but you can use regular paprika.
  • Ketchup – Standard ketchup. I use the kind without high fructose corn syrup.
  • Mustard – Standard yellow mustard, such as French’s.
  • Brown Sugar – Regular or dark brown sugar.
  • Molasses – A touch of molasses.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar – Livens up all the flavors.
  • Salt / Pepper – To enhance the flavor.

Related Recipes

I don’t know about you, but I’m all about the sides at the BBQ. Try a few of our favorite side dishes that will have your friends asking for the recipe.

Modern Broccoli Salad is an updated version of the classic with shallots, bacon, cranberries, sunflower seeds and Pecorino cheese. Out West’s Lemon Arugula Pasta Salad combines cellentani pasta, arugula, pine nuts and cherry tomatoes in a light lemon vinaigrette dressing. Creamy, tangy, and perfectly seasoned, these Classic Deviled Eggs are a timeless appetizer made with simple ingredients.

Classic baked beans are smoky-sweet with Great Northern beans, crispy bacon, molasses, green bell peppers, and a rich blend of savory flavors.

Classic Baked Beans

OUT WEST: Food & Lifestyle
http://www.outwestlifestyle.com
Classic Baked Beans are sweet and smoky with bacon, molasses, green bell peppers, and a rich blend of savory flavors.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Servings: 12
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American

Ingredients
  

  • 7 slices bacon cut in lardons
  • 1 cup green bell pepper diced
  • 1 cup yellow onion diced
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 3 15 oz cans Great Northern beans drained
  • 1 Tbsp. smoked paprika
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup mustard
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar packed
  • 1 Tbsp. molasses
  • 1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Place bacon lardons in a large pan and cook over medium high heat until fat is fully rendered and bacon is crisp. Remove to a paper towel.
  3. Sauté green pepper, onion in bacon grease left in pan. When starting to soften, add garlic. Continue to stir until garlic is just softened.
  4. Add remaining ingredients and bacon to the pan. Combine well.
  5. Pour into a baking dish that you plan on serving in. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

# About Tamara Hi, I'm Tamara, the creator behind The Salty Owl Co. I believe that some of life's best moments happen around the table—sharing a meal with family, gathering with friends, and savoring the simple pleasures of fresh, thoughtfully prepared food. Through The Salty Owl Co., I share seasonal recipes, coastal-inspired cooking, and stories that celebrate a slower, more intentional way of living. Living in the Pacific Northwest has shaped my love for local ingredients and the connection between farm, sea, and table. From freshly caught seafood and garden-grown vegetables to products sourced from small farms and local makers, I'm passionate about knowing where our food comes from and supporting the people who produce it. The owl in The Salty Owl Co. holds special meaning for me. For as long as I can remember, a family of owls has lived on our property. Their familiar evening calls echo through the trees each night, bringing a sense of peace and grounding that reminds me to slow down and appreciate the beauty of home. They have become a symbol of the lifestyle I hope to inspire—one rooted in nature, community, and simple joys. Whether you're looking for fresh recipes, entertaining inspiration, seasonal ideas, or a little encouragement to cook more at home, I'm glad you're here. My hope is that The Salty Owl Co. inspires you to gather often, savor every season, and create meaningful moments around your own table. Welcome to The Salty Owl Co.

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