Hearty Paula Deen Baked Beans Recipe

Quick Paula Deen Baked Beans Recipe for Family Joy

Paula Deen’s baked beans ignite a flavor explosion that transforms ordinary legumes into a culinary masterpiece.

Southern comfort cuisine dances on your palate with an irresistible melody of smoky and sweet sensations.

Each spoonful tells a story of rich, deep flavors that transport you to cozy kitchen memories.

Carefully selected ingredients weave together a tapestry of taste that promises pure satisfaction.

Simple yet sophisticated, this recipe blends traditional techniques with mouthwatering complexity.

Hearty beans dressed in a luscious sauce create a side dish that steals the spotlight at any gathering.

Get ready to savor a dish that turns an everyday ingredient into an unforgettable culinary adventure.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Calories: 360 kcal

Servings: 5

Paula Deen’s Baked Beans Ingredient List

For Protein Boost:
  • Bacon: Choose thick-cut, smoky bacon for robust flavor and crisp texture.
  • Pork and Beans: Select high-quality canned beans with tender, meaty beans and rich sauce.
For Flavor Enhancers:
  • Onions: Pick firm, sweet onions that caramelize beautifully and provide deep, rich undertones.
  • Mustard: Opt for tangy Dijon or spicy brown mustard to add complex depth.
  • Ketchup: Select a rich, slightly sweet tomato ketchup with balanced acidity.
  • Maple Syrup: Use pure, dark maple syrup for authentic, deep sweetness.
For Cooking Essentials:
  • Bacon Drippings: Save rendered bacon fat for incredible additional flavor and richness.

Equipment for Baking Beans

  • Skillet: Heavy-bottom pan for crispy bacon and sautéing onions.
  • Large mixing bowl: Spacious container for combining all ingredients thoroughly.
  • Baking dish: Oven-safe dish to hold and bake the bean mixture.
  • Wooden spoon or spatula: Perfect for stirring ingredients smoothly.
  • Measuring cups: Precise tools for accurate ingredient amounts.
  • Oven: Essential for baking the beans to delicious perfection.
  • Knife: Handy for crumbling bacon and chopping onions.

How to Prepare Paula Deen’s Baked Beans

How to Prepare Paula Deen’s Baked Beans

Craft Irresistible Baked Beans

Kick off your culinary adventure by turning your kitchen into a flavor haven. This crowd-pleasing side dish will have everyone begging for more.

  • Sizzle and Crisp the Bacon

Fire up a skillet and transform bacon into crunchy, golden bits. Let those strips dance until they’re perfectly crisp, then crumble them into delectable pieces. The bacon drippings are liquid gold – save every drop for maximum flavor.

  • Caramelize the Flavor Base

Use those magical bacon drippings to transform onions into sweet, golden treasures. Stir and coax them into a rich, deep color that whispers deliciousness. The onions will become your secret weapon for an unforgettable taste experience.

  • Create the Magic Mix

Grab a large bowl and unleash your inner chef. Toss in your crispy bacon bits, caramelized onions, and a symphony of flavor boosters like mustard, maple syrup, and ketchup. Stir with passion, blending everything into a harmonious mixture that promises pure comfort.

  • Bake to Perfection

Slide your bean creation into a preheated oven set at 160°C. Let the magic happen as the beans bubble and transform, creating a dish so incredible it’ll become a family legend. After 45-60 minutes, you’ll have a side that steals the show at any meal.

Tips and Sweet/Spicy Variations

  • Boost Bacon Flavor: Experiment with different bacon types like hickory-smoked, applewood, or pepper-crusted to add unique smoky dimensions to your baked beans.
  • Sweetness Upgrade: Replace maple syrup with brown sugar, honey, or molasses for a personalized touch that enhances the bean's natural richness.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the bean mixture a day in advance and refrigerate, allowing flavors to meld together overnight for an even more intense taste experience.
  • Vegetarian Twist: Swap bacon with smoked paprika, liquid smoke, or crispy tempeh bits to create a plant-based version that still delivers deep, complex flavors.

How to Serve Baked Beans with Meals

  • Serve with Southern Comfort: Pair these sweet and savory baked beans alongside classic barbecue pulled pork, grilled chicken, or crispy fried chicken for a hearty southern-style meal.
  • Create a Picnic Platter: Dish out these beans at summer cookouts, complementing grilled hot dogs, hamburgers, or cornbread with their rich, caramelized flavor profile.
  • Add Fresh Toppings: Sprinkle chopped green onions, fresh parsley, or a dollop of sour cream on top to add a bright, fresh contrast to the deep, smoky bean mixture.
  • Elevate Breakfast Vibes: Serve a scoop alongside scrambled eggs, toast, and bacon for a decadent weekend breakfast that brings comfort and warmth to the morning table.

Storing Baked Beans After Cooking

  • Refrigerate and Preserve: Store leftover baked beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days, keeping them fresh and ready for quick reheating.
  • Smart Reheating Technique: Warm beans slowly in a microwave or stovetop, adding a splash of water to maintain moisture and prevent drying out, ensuring they taste just as delicious as when first prepared.
  • Freeze for Future Meals: Pack cooled beans in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty bags, where they'll stay good for 2-3 months, providing a convenient make-ahead option for busy weeknights.
  • Portion Control Trick: Divide beans into individual serving sizes before freezing, allowing you to thaw exactly what you need without waste and making meal prep a breeze.
Print
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Hearty Paula Deen Baked Beans Recipe

Hearty Paula Deen Baked Beans Recipe


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4.7 from 33 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Hearty Paula Deen baked beans combine smoky bacon, brown sugar, and tangy barbecue sauce for a classic Southern side dish. Rich flavors meld together, creating a comforting recipe you’ll crave at summer gatherings.


Ingredients

Scale
  • ½ lb (0.23 kg) bacon
  • 1 can (16 oz/454 g) pork and beans
  • 1 large onion
  • 5 tbsps maple syrup
  • 4 tbsps ketchup
  • 3 tbsps yellow mustard

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare: Warm the oven to 160°C / 325°F and select a suitable baking dish for the bean medley.
  2. Bacon Transformation: Crisp bacon in a skillet over medium heat until golden-brown, then crumble and set aside, reserving the flavorful drippings.
  3. Aromatic Foundation: Sauté chopped onions in the bacon drippings until caramelized, releasing a sweet, enticing fragrance.
  4. Flavor Fusion: Blend pork and beans with crumbled bacon, caramelized onions, bacon drippings, mustard, maple syrup, and ketchup in a large mixing bowl, ensuring thorough and even coating.
  5. Baking Ritual: Pour the seasoned bean mixture into the prepared baking dish, cover with aluminum foil, and bake for 45-60 minutes until the beans become bubbling, thickened, and develop a rich, deep color.

Notes

  • Bacon Brilliance: Crisp bacon transforms ordinary beans into a smoky, decadent side dish with incredible depth of flavor.
  • Moisture Management: Aluminum foil coverage prevents beans from drying out, maintaining a luscious, saucy consistency throughout baking.
  • Caramelization Creation: Sautéing onions before mixing develops rich, sweet undertones that elevate the entire bean experience.
  • Temperature Timing: Low, slow baking at 325°F ensures beans absorb all seasonings while developing a perfect, glossy texture without burning.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 360
  • Sugar: 22 g
  • Sodium: 1150 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 40 g
  • Fiber: 5 g
  • Protein: 14 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Jessica Martinez

Jessica Martinez

Pastry Chef & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Organic Baking Techniques, Gluten-Free Recipe Development, Southwestern Dessert Specialties, Food Styling and Photography

Education

Santa Fe Community College (SFCC)

  • Program: Certificate in Patisserie
  • Focus: Cultivating disciplined kitchen preparation for a safe, organized, and sanitary workstation; mastering the timely production of nutritious, visually appealing pastries; safely operating standard pastry equipment; and honing core patissier techniques for professional pastry work.

Jessica brings the sweet side to Urban Organic with her passion for baking and love for the Southwest. She trained at Santa Fe Community College and has built a career creating beautiful, gluten-free, and organic desserts that feel both nostalgic and new.

She believes baking should be fun, creative, and open to everyone, no matter your diet or skill level. Jessica’s recipes are simple enough to follow, but special enough to remember.

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