5-Bean Baked Beans

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Our wonderfully easy 5-bean baked beans recipe uses your choice of canned beans, bacon, and just a handful of pantry staples to make a hearty casserole-like dish. It’s a classic crowd-pleaser that’s perfect to serve as a main or side with other favorite comfort food dishes!

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This 5-bean baked beans recipe is a great take on classic baked beans – both sweet and savory, rich and comforting. Five different kinds of beans give this bean dish a variety of colors, textures and flavors. But while the flavors are bold and exciting, it is very easy to put the dish together and ready to serve in only about 1 hour.

These beans are a perfect side dish for a summer barbecue or a holiday baked ham, but they are also hearty enough for a main dish.

Five cans lined up on a white counter: Cannellini beans, kidney beans, lima beans, black beans, and pork and beans.

Ingredients

Bacon. Smoky and savory bacon balances the sweetness of the brown sugar, and tastes amazing with the variety of beans

Onion and garlic. Classic aromatics to add earthy flavor to the dish.

Beans. You can use any of your favorite types of beans, but the 5 I prefer are cannellini beans, lima beans, kidney beans, black beans and pork and beans. Drain and rinse the beans – not the pork and beans – before using.

Ketchup. For just the right tangy baked beans taste you know and love.

Brown sugar. Adds a richly deep, mellow sweetness that enhances the smokiness.

Worcestershire sauce. My go-to ingredient to make dishes really pop with savory flavor.

Mustard. I love how the sharp taste of mustard balances and adds to the vibrant tanginess of the baked beans sauce.

Black pepper. A pinch gives the dish a bit of bite without being overpowering.

How to Make 5-Bean Baked Beans

Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Begin by frying the bacon, then saute the onions and garlic in the bacon fat. Add to a casserole dish with the beans.

Chopped onions, ketchup, mustard, and brown sugar added to the bowl of beans.

Combine, then cover, and bake for an hour. It’s best to let them cool for about 20 minutes before serving so the liquid can thicken slightly.

Serving Suggestions

Serve warm with any number of comfort foods or holiday main dishes. It’s the perfect savory and sweet casserole to pair with meaty burgers, sloppy joes, Tex-Mex meatloaf, grilled or barbecued chicken, ribs… There’s practically no limit to your options here.

5-bean baked beans are always welcomed on the table at potlucks, picnics, and any casual gathering. Include on a table with other sides to share – or you can even serve these hearty beans as THE main dish with other favorite sides! The tangy and savory flavors are delicious with Mary’s dressing, rich and creamy vegetable casserole or squash casserole, or a perfectly simple wedge salad.

And one more tip – let’s be honest about the side effects of eating a concentration of this many beans. I swear by papaya enzyme; chew a couple of tablets before eating, and another right after. Your digestive system will thank you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you make baked beans in a slow cooker?

This recipe can easily be made in a slow cooker – add everything to the cooker and cook on low for 4 hours.

How do you make this 5 bean baked beans recipe vegetarian?

Substitute the bacon with 1 tablespoon of cooking oil to saute the onion and garlic. In place of pork and beans you can use a can of your favorite vegetarian baked beans, more cannellini beans, pinto beans, or other meatless favorties.

What’s the difference between baked beans and canned beans?

Homemade baked beans are typically made with other drained and rinsed canned beans that don’t include any other ingredients. They become “baked beans” after combining with other ingredients and baking – like in our recipe here. Canned baked beans, on the other hand, are made in factories and often contain lots of fillers like corn syrup and caramel coloring.

How long do leftovers last?

Store cooled leftover beans in a sealed container, and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

When reheating I highly recommend adding some browned ground beef and a little extra mustard and ketchup – heat it all through on low heat.

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