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Home » Recipes

How to Cook Canned Baked Beans

Published: Sep 26, 2018 · Modified: Jul 1, 2025 by Wendi Spraker · This post may contain affiliate links · 79 Comments

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How to Cook Canned Baked Beans

What would happen if you opened a can for dinner, added very FEW ingredients and your family RAVED about the dish you prepared? That is AMAZING, isn’t it? That’s what will happen when you learn How to Cook Canned Baked Beans!

 

A photo of a bowl of baked beans with a silver pot in the background for How to Cook Canned Baked Beans
How to Cook Canned Baked Beans

What could be easier than opening a can of baked beans, adding a few easy and simple ingredients and before you know it you have the PERFECT addition to your Hotdog or Hamburger meal?

You could just add a Potato Salad or a Pasta Salad and your family would be ENTHRALLED with your cooking talents! Seriously!

Of course, if you love baked beans, you might also enjoy learning the Secret to Perfect Old Fashioned Pinto Beans.

You might have a few questions about How to Cook Canned Baked Beans and I’ll try to answer them here…

A single bowl of baked beans for How to Cook Canned Baked Beans
How to Cook Canned Baked Beans

HERE'S A QUICK VIDEO OF WENDI MAKING CANNED BAKED BEANS!

Contents show
1 HERE'S A QUICK VIDEO OF WENDI MAKING CANNED BAKED BEANS!
2 WHAT TO ADD TO CANNED BAKED BEANS
3 WHO MAKES THE BEST CANNED BAKED BEANS?
4 ARE CANNED BAKED BEANS READY TO EAT?
5 ARE CANNED BAKED BEANS GOOD FOR YOU?
6 HOW LONG ARE CANNED BAKED BEANS GOOD FOR?
7 HOW TO COOK CANNED BAKED BEANS IN THE OVEN
8 HOW TO COOK CANNED BAKED BEANS IN THE MICROWAVE
9 HOW TO COOK CANNED BAKED BEANS IN THE CROCKPOT
10 HOW TO MAKE CANNED BAKED BEANS TASTE LIKE HOMEMADE
11 TIPS AND TRICKS FOR HOW TO COOK CANNED BAKED BEANS
12 IF YOU ENJOYED THIS RECIPE, YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY...
13 YA’LL HELP ME OUT, OK?
14 EQUIPMENT THAT I'M USING
15 AND NOW FOR THE EXCITING NEWS!!!
16 THE RECIPE FOR HOW TO COOK CANNED BAKED BEANS
16.1 How to Cook Canned Baked Beans
16.1.1 Ingredients
16.1.2 Instructions
16.1.3 Notes
16.1.4 Nutrition
16.2 A VERSE TO SHARE
16.2.1 1 Corinthians 13: 1-3
16.2.2 You May Also Love:

WHAT TO ADD TO CANNED BAKED BEANS

Of course you don’t actually HAVE to add anything at all to baked beans and they are fine, but we won’t be happy with “fine” will we? No siree! We want EXCEPTIONAL and AMAZING baked beans!

You want to be a KITCHEN ROCKSTAR not just a "good" cook! No sirree! COOKING GODDESS or die!

We DO have some choices though and it depends on what you like and what you have time to do. The possibilities include:

  • Onions
  • Garlic
  • Lemon juice
  • BBQ sauce
  • Ketchup
  • Molasses
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Cayenne
  • Vinegar
  • Bacon
  • Ham
  • Brown Sugar
  • Ground Beef
  • Sausage
  • Mustard

And FROM LOAVES AND DISHES READERS.....

  • Jalapeños
  • Honey
  • Walnuts
  • Bell Pepper
  • Liquid Smoke (be careful with this one ya'll, a few drops will do ya).
  • Chickpeas

I’ll give you a basic recipe and then, if you feel “experimenty” you could add/substitute some of these other things yourself, OK? OK!

A bowl of baked beans sitting on a cooktop for How to Cook Canned Baked Beans
How to Cook Canned Baked Beans

WHO MAKES THE BEST CANNED BAKED BEANS?

This is really a loaded question! Of course, there are many opinions about this, so I’m just going to tell you who I like and why.

I simply LOVE these B&M baked beans! The beans themselves are smallish and the skin is thin so they chew easily. The flavors are about right.

By the way, these photos are links to Amazon. You can click the photo and go directly through to Amazon to comparison shop. I am an Amazon affiliate and receive a commission if you should decide to buy.


That said, I think they are a little pricey.

These Bushes beans are good too, especially in the brown sugar and hickory flavor. They cost slightly less than the B&M usually.

ARE CANNED BAKED BEANS READY TO EAT?

Yes, you can eat canned baked beans directly from the can. However, if you heat them up, they taste even better!

ARE CANNED BAKED BEANS GOOD FOR YOU?

Here’s the thing, canned baked beans might be good for you, or they might not. It entirely depends on what you are going for.

Are you diabetic or trying to eat Keto or low carb? Then canned baked beans might not be the thing for you!

Do you want higher protein in your diet? Canned baked beans might be the perfect thing for you to try!

HOW LONG ARE CANNED BAKED BEANS GOOD FOR?

If you haven’t opened the can yet, then please check the expiration date on the can to see how long they are good for.

Once you have opened the beans and cooked them, they will be good for about 5 days if kept in the refrigerator.

You can allow the beans to sit out for about 2 hours before you need to refrigerate them again.

 If anything starts to smell bad, if you see mold or any other funky thing then its time to throw them out!

A close up of the cooktop for How to Cook Canned Baked Beans
How to Cook Canned Baked Beans

HOW TO COOK CANNED BAKED BEANS IN THE OVEN

This is simple! The recipe below is for stove top preparation, but you can cook canned baked beans in the oven just as simply!

To cook these beans in the oven, first cook the bacon till crispy in a frying pan on the stove top and crumble it or cut it up and put it and the bacon grease into the beans. Add the other ingredients and give it a good stir. Preheat the oven to 350.

Pour all of that into an ovenproof baking pan and place in the oven. Bake at 350 for about 45 minutes or until it is hot and bubbly.

HOW TO COOK CANNED BAKED BEANS IN THE MICROWAVE

While most people really prefer their baked beans cooked on the stovetop or in the oven, sometimes what we have available is the microwave! Baked beans are simple enough in the microwave.

First place your bacon on a paper plate and cover with paper towels. Set the microwave on high for 2 minutes. Check the bacon after two minutes. If it is cooked through, take it out and crumble it up. If it isn’t cooked through, microwave in one minute intervals until cooked through.

Place the crumbled bacon and the other ingredients into a microwave safe bowl and stir in the baked beans. Microwave with a paper towel over the top to avoid splatters. Microwave for 3 minutes and then stir.

Repeat in 2 minute intervals until heated through.

HOW TO COOK CANNED BAKED BEANS IN THE CROCKPOT

Crockpot recipes are always easy and so is this one! Simply precook the bacon in a skillet, crumble it and then put everything in the crockpot together. Set the crockpot on low and come back in 8 hours for a delicious bowl of baked beans! ***Important note*** for the standard size crockpot you will need to double or even triple this recipe. If you have the 1 quart crockpot, then this is the perfect size recipe.

HOW TO MAKE CANNED BAKED BEANS TASTE LIKE HOMEMADE

That is SIMPLE and EASY! I know you want to improve your baked beans and you want to make your baked beans more interesting.

You can do that by following the recipe below. All that you need to do is to add a few ingredients and you’ll be cooking with gas in no time (so to speak).

You are really looking to add some sweet, sour, hot, acid and smoky to have that wonderful home cooked flavor you are seeking!

TIPS AND TRICKS FOR HOW TO COOK CANNED BAKED BEANS

  • Feel free to experiment with what you add to your recipe! The secret is to get a little sweet, sour, hot, acid and smoky in your beans to amp up the flavor.
  • Remember that some people don’t really like the texture of onions in their dish. If this is the case for you, add 1 teaspoon onion powder instead
  • No garlic on hand? Add ½ teaspoon garlic powder instead.
  • If you are cooking for a larger crowd, then simply increase the ingredients by doubling or tripling the recipe. It is OK to mix different brands of baked beans together, it might even taste better that way!
  • Taste as you go. Baked beans are already cooked and you aren’t adding anything that isn’t already cooked so taste as you go and this will let you know if you are on the right track with your beans or not!
  • Just use a regular slice of bacon if that’s what you have for the recipe

IF YOU ENJOYED THIS RECIPE, YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY...

How to Cook Canned Pinto Beans

How to Cook Canned Black Beans

Cooking Canned Corn

How to Cook Canned Peas

and many more of my New Cooks Series!

YA’LL HELP ME OUT, OK?

I need your 5 STAR comments to help other people find this website! Please scroll on down to the bottom of the page and leave a 5 STAR comment about this recipe if you have already made it or are thinking of doing so!

I would love to see your picture of this recipe if you made it! Just tag me on social media OR email me a copy at wendi (at sign) loaves and dishes.net

EQUIPMENT THAT I'M USING

This recipe really requires no special equipment. The thing is, you might be cooking up baked beans in a small apartment or maybe you are in a dorm with no stove, right? If you are noticing my videos, you'll see that I use a special cook top! You can get one too from Evergreen Home and it's available on Amazon (or you can WIN one, see below!).

Evergreen home sent me my very own cooktop to try for this recipe, but you'll be seeing it in EVERY cooktop recipe I make from now on because I love it so much!

Just understand that this is an INDUCTION cooktop and requires either INDUCTION cookware or Cast Iron cookware.

(The photo is an affiliate link to Amazon, you can click the photo to go through to Amazon to shop. If you decide to purchase affiliate commissions apply but it costs you nothing extra)

AND NOW FOR THE EXCITING NEWS!!!

Evergreen Home is allowing me to GIVE AWAY a cooktop to ONE lucky reader! Simply register through the Rafflecopter giveaway box that follows and a winner will be chosen in 10 days! You could be the LUCKY one! ***THIS GIVEAWAY IS FOR U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY *** (Sorry to everyone else, its a shipping thing).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

THE RECIPE FOR HOW TO COOK CANNED BAKED BEANS

A photo of a bowl of baked beans with a silver pot in the background for How to Cook Canned Baked Beans

How to Cook Canned Baked Beans

This recipe is for how to cook canned baked bean on the stove top but the post also has directions for how to cook canned baked beans in the oven and in a microwave.
5 from 17 votes
Print Pin SaveSaved! Rate
Course: Side
Cuisine: American
Keyword: canned baked beans, baked beans
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Calories: 200kcal
Author: Wendi Spraker

Ingredients

  • 1 slice of thick cut applewood smoked bacon
  • 2 Tbs onion chopped
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1 can of baked beans 8.5 oz Bushes or 18 oz B&M
  • 1 Tbs brown sugar
  • 2 Tbs molasses
  • 1 teaspoon cider vinegar
  • 1 Tbs yellow mustard
  • 1 Tbs ketchup
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black ground pepper

Instructions

  • In a medium sized saucepan over medium heat, cook the piece of bacon until crispy.
  • Remove the bacon from the pan and set aside. Cook the onion and garlic in the bacon grease. (If you are using onion and garlic powder instead, move on to the next step and add those powders when you are adding the other ingredients).
  • Crumble the cooled bacon and add it back to the cooking pan.
  • Add all the other ingredients and give it a stir and taste to see if you are pleased with the taste. If you feel it needs more of one ingredient or another add that ingredient and taste again.
  • Cook till heated through and bubbly.

Notes

  • Feel free to experiment with what you add to your recipe!  The secret is to get a little sweet, sour, hot, acid and smoky in your beans to amp up the flavor.  
  • Remember that some people don’t really like the texture of onions in their dish.  If this is the case for you, add 1 teaspoon onion powder instead
  • No garlic on hand?  Add ½ teaspoon garlic powder instead.
  • If you are cooking for a larger crowd, then simply increase the ingredients by doubling or tripling the recipe.  It is OK to mix different brands of baked beans together, it might even taste better that way!
  • Taste as you go.  Baked beans are already cooked and you aren’t adding anything that isn’t already cooked so taste as you go and this will let you know if you are on the right track with your beans or not!
  • Just use a regular slice of bacon if that’s what you have for the recipe

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
How to Cook Canned Baked Beans
Amount Per Serving
Calories 200
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @loavesanddishes or tag #loavesanddishes!

 

A VERSE TO SHARE

Love is patient, love is kind…. You know that verse, right? Do you know what preceded that verse? It’s just as important. Here it is…

1 Corinthians 13: 1-3

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. When I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

 

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Comments

  1. C Darlene Jones says

    October 13, 2018 at 6:32 am

    My youngest son cooks alot and introduced us to chunk pineapple added to Bush baked beans. It is good and we like it that way now too.

    Reply
    • Wendi Spraker says

      October 13, 2018 at 12:02 pm

      Wonderful!!

      Reply
    • Wendi Spraker says

      October 13, 2018 at 12:03 pm

      Wonderful!

      Reply
  2. Denise C says

    October 07, 2018 at 5:57 pm

    I love bacon with my beans!!

    Reply
    • Wendi Spraker says

      October 07, 2018 at 7:16 pm

      Good tastes Denise!

      Reply
  3. Betty Lynne says

    October 05, 2018 at 4:12 pm

    5 stars
    We love black beans in this house and doctor them up with cumin, lime juice, and chopped sweet onions. So many great ways to make them different each time!

    Reply
    • Wendi Spraker says

      October 05, 2018 at 4:13 pm

      All of that sounds delish!! Thanks for leaving a comment!

      Reply
  4. Tracie Cooper says

    October 04, 2018 at 7:42 pm

    5 stars
    I love to add mustard, bbq sauce and bacon strips.

    Reply
    • Wendi Spraker says

      October 04, 2018 at 8:13 pm

      Perfect!

      Reply
  5. Gregory Anderson says

    October 03, 2018 at 2:21 am

    5 stars
    Having eaten many a bean meal, even a cold baked bean sandwich with yellow mustard, your article here warmed my hackled and I've been in quite a chilly mood for a spell. Sometimes this world gets me to spinning at windmills, it seems; and I don't even cut as fine a figure as Don Quixote.

    For baking a pan of beans and sundries, I've enjoyed replacing any added liquid with very stout coffee. But then I'm also a red-eye gravy kind of a fella too. So that's telling on a little bit of age, of sub-culture, of economic history, and a lot of experience eating. Indeed, I recommend eating to all my friends.

    Reply
    • Wendi Spraker says

      October 03, 2018 at 5:57 am

      Lol. Gregory, I recommend eating to all of my friends too. :). Thanks for your comment. I’ve never tried coffee in my beans before !

      Reply
  6. Holly Thomas says

    September 30, 2018 at 5:41 am

    5 stars
    I like to add spicy mustard and bacon to my baked beans.

    Reply
  7. michelle says

    September 28, 2018 at 12:20 pm

    I love the Bush Beans and simply warm them up, and serve with German Style Franks and fresh cucumber slices!

    Reply
    • Wendi Spraker says

      September 28, 2018 at 12:32 pm

      You had me at “German Franks”! I bet the fresh cucumber really sets it off

      Reply
  8. Pat says

    September 28, 2018 at 12:04 pm

    I have been using B&M Beans since my mom taught me how to make baked beans and I am 70. Best recipes were those handed down. I always use bacon, onion and brown sugar but never tried your recipe using mustard. I am open to new recipes and will definitely give yo y rd a try.

    Reply
    • Wendi Spraker says

      September 28, 2018 at 12:31 pm

      Hi Pat! I agree those handed down recipes are delicious!

      Reply
  9. DIANE S MERRICK says

    September 28, 2018 at 11:22 am

    I like to add dried onion, a tiniest smidge of file' powder or sage, some hot peppers along with mustard and honey.

    Reply
    • Wendi Spraker says

      September 28, 2018 at 11:56 am

      Sounds good to me Diane!

      Reply
  10. Linda Jeffreys says

    September 28, 2018 at 9:16 am

    I cannot wait to make these for my family. I love canning anything I can to have that fresh, delicious taste to offer in my meals.

    Reply
    • Wendi Spraker says

      September 28, 2018 at 9:31 am

      Perfect!

      Reply
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Welcome!

Hi! I'm Wendi and I believe that food made with love and passion has power. It can bring people together AND carry them home. I'll show you how to get amazing flavor from simple dishes. Your family and friends will exclaim, "WOW! Amazing! I NEED this recipe!" Join me and nourish your body and soul.

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