Why You’ll Love these Comforting Baked Beans with Bacon & Red Onion
Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or just craving some comfort food on a chilly evening, these baked beans with bacon and red onion are guaranteed to hit the spot.
I love how the smoky bacon and sweet red onion transform ordinary beans into something extraordinary.
The combination of savory and sweet flavors—thanks to that brown sugar and bacon duo—creates the perfect balance.
And can we talk about that moment when you pull them from the oven? That slightly caramelized top, the rich aroma filling your kitchen.
Trust me, these beans aren’t just a side dish; they’re often the first thing to disappear from the table.
What Ingredients are in Comforting Baked Beans with Bacon & Red Onion?
When I think of the ultimate comfort food side dish, these baked beans with bacon and red onion immediately come to mind. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity—just a handful of ingredients that work together to create something truly special. The barbecue beans provide the base, while the bacon adds a smoky richness that pairs perfectly with the subtle sweetness of red onion and brown sugar.
It’s one of those dishes where every ingredient serves a purpose, and together, they create something much greater than the sum of their parts.
- 6 cups barbecued baked beans (the big can)
- 3 slices bacon, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1 medium red onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
One thing I love about this recipe is how adaptable it can be to what you have on hand. If you’re watching your sugar intake, you could reduce the brown sugar slightly—though I find that perfect 1/4 cup amount balances the savory elements beautifully.
And while the recipe calls for red onion, which provides both color and a milder flavor, you could substitute yellow or white in a pinch. Just don’t skip the fresh parsley at the end; that little pop of green and herbaceous flavor cuts through the richness and makes all the difference between good beans and great beans.
How to Make these Comforting Baked Beans with Bacon & Red Onion
Making these beans is about as simple as comfort food gets, but the flavor payoff is absolutely tremendous.
Start by preheating your oven to 425°F and pour all 6 cups of those barbecued baked beans into a casserole dish. Pop them in the oven just to get them heated through while you work on the magic that happens on the stovetop.
Meanwhile, grab a small nonstick skillet and cook those 3 slices of chopped bacon over medium heat for about 2-3 minutes until they start rendering their fat. This is where the kitchen starts smelling irresistible.
Then add your finely chopped medium red onion to the bacon and continue cooking for another 3 minutes. The onions will soften and start to caramelize slightly in that gorgeous bacon fat—this is culinary alchemy at its finest.
When the beans are heated through, pull them from the oven and scatter your bacon-onion mixture evenly across the top. Don’t stir it in!
Now sprinkle that 1/4 cup brown sugar and 1 teaspoon black pepper over the onions, creating layers of flavor that will meld together during the final bake.
Return the dish to the oven and bake for 10 more minutes, allowing the sugar to melt and create a slight caramelization on top.
Just before serving, scatter those 2 tablespoons of fresh chopped parsley over everything for a bright finish that cuts through the richness.
Comforting Baked Beans with Bacon & Red Onion Substitutions and Variations
While this classic baked beans recipe is perfect as-is, you can easily customize it to suit your pantry and preferences. Swap the red onion for yellow or white if that’s what you have on hand.
Not a bacon fan? Try diced ham, turkey bacon, or even smoked sausage instead.
For vegetarian options, simply omit the meat and add a dash of liquid smoke for that smoky flavor.
You could also mix in chopped bell peppers, jalapeños for heat, or even a splash of bourbon for depth.
Maple syrup works beautifully in place of brown sugar, giving a different kind of sweetness I sometimes prefer.
What to Serve with Comforting Baked Beans with Bacon & Red Onion
These comforting baked beans shine brightest when paired with complementary dishes that balance their sweet-savory profile.
I love serving them alongside grilled hamburgers or hot dogs for weekend cookouts—the classic combo never disappoints.
For something heartier, try pulled pork sandwiches or smoked brisket, where the beans act as the perfect side kick.
Need something lighter? A crisp coleslaw provides invigorating contrast to the rich beans.
Don’t forget cornbread, my friends. Something about that sweet, crumbly texture soaking up the bean sauce just feels like home.
And for the veggie component? Grilled corn on the cob rounds out the perfect plate.
Final Thoughts
My love affair with these baked beans has spanned decades of family gatherings and quick weeknight dinners.
There’s something magical about how the smoky bacon melds with the sweet brown sugar, while red onions add that perfect bite.
I’ve tweaked this recipe countless times over the years, but always circle back to this version.
Sometimes I’ll add a splash of bourbon when nobody’s looking, or toss in some diced bell peppers for color.
Comforting Baked Beans With Bacon & Red Onion
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 425°F.
- Pour the barbecued baked beans into a casserole dish and place in the oven to heat through while preparing the other ingredients.
- In a small nonstick skillet, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until it begins to render fat.
- Add the finely chopped red onion to the bacon and continue cooking for another 3 minutes, until onions begin to soften and slightly caramelize.
- Remove the heated beans from the oven and distribute the bacon-onion mixture evenly across the top without stirring it in.
- Sprinkle the brown sugar and black pepper over the onion layer.
- Return the dish to the oven and bake for 10 more minutes, allowing the sugar to melt and create a light caramelization on top.
- Before serving, garnish with the fresh chopped parsley.
