What doesn't say "Summer BBQ" like a batch of baked beans?
I love beans, but am not a huge fan of the canned variety, because I grew up with my Grandpa Conrad making homemade baked beans for all of our summer gatherings. They were delicious! My brother Joe has pretty much perfected making beans from scratch like my Grandpa did.
I have tried, even bought an antique bean pot at a little shop in Ely, MN many years ago. I came to the conclusion that while I love homemade, they're a lot of work and preparation.....soaking the beans and adding water while in the oven.
So, you have no idea how thrilled I was to find a recipe for modified canned beans several years ago on Paula's Home Cooking (FoodNetwork)....but after making this recipe several times, I had to make some changes (the original is just too darn sweet!).
Here is my version:
Baked Beans
4 - 16oz cans baked beans
1 small can crushed pineapple, drained
1/2 cup molasses
1/2-3/4 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce
2 tbsp yellow mustard
1/2 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled.
1 can french fried onions
salt and pepper
Combine beans, pineapple, molasses, BBQ sauce, yellow mustard, 1/2 of the bacon and 1/2 the can of french fried onions in a large bowl. Pour into a 9x13 casserole dish. in a small bowl, crumble the remaining bacon and french fried onions with your fingers to combine. Sprinkle over the top fo the beans.
Bake in a 350 degree oven for 1 hour or a bit longer if you prefer to have them be a nice dark brown and baked color.
These are really good and every time we make them, everyone loves them! Enjoy!
note: if you wanted to fake everyone out and use an old vintage bean pot, I would add all the bacon and the french fried onions to the beans before spooning into the bean pot. You'd want to bake them a bit longer too....Hmmmm, I'll have to try that next time!
