This Ina Garten Baked Beans Recipe is a sweet and smoky recipe, which includes navy beans and crispy bacon. It’s a classic, foolproof recipe, ready in about 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Jump to RecipeIna Garten Baked Beans Recipe Ingredients
- 1 pound navy beans (dried or canned, rinsed and drained)
- 6 slices bacon, diced
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups water or chicken stock (if using dried beans)

How To Make Ina Garten Baked Beans Recipe
- Prepare the beans: If using dried beans, soak overnight in cold water. Drain, rinse, and cook in fresh water for 1 to 1.5 hours until tender. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the bacon: In a large skillet, cook diced bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside, reserving the fat.
- Sauté onions and garlic: Add the chopped onion to the skillet with bacon fat. Cook for about 5 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
- Make the sauce: In a bowl, combine ketchup, molasses, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir to blend.
- Mix and assemble: In a large baking dish or Dutch oven, mix the cooked beans, sautéed onions and garlic, bacon, and sauce. Stir well.
- Bake the beans: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Cover the dish and bake for 1 hour. Then uncover and bake another 20–30 minutes until bubbly and thickened.
- Serve: Let cool slightly before serving. Garnish with extra bacon or chopped parsley if desired.

Recipe Tips
-
Can I use canned beans instead of dried?
Yes, just skip the soaking and cooking steps and go straight to the assembly. -
How to make it vegetarian:
Omit the bacon and use olive oil instead of bacon fat. Use vegetable stock. -
What kind of beans are best?
Navy beans are traditional, but Great Northern or pinto beans also work. -
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes, these baked beans taste even better the next day. -
How to make it smokier:
Add a dash of liquid smoke or use smoked bacon.
What To Serve With Baked Beans
These sweet and smoky beans go great with BBQ and picnic staples:
- Grilled hot dogs or sausages
- Barbecue ribs or pulled pork
- Cornbread or biscuits
- Coleslaw
- Potato salad

How To Store Baked Beans
Refrigerate:
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freeze:
Freeze in portions for up to 3 months. Thaw and reheat on the stove or microwave.
Baked Beans Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 389 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Protein: 14g
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fiber: 10g
- Sugar: 18g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Can I cook this in a slow cooker instead?
Yes, assemble everything in a slow cooker and cook on low for 6-7 hours.
Why are my beans still tough?
If using dried beans, make sure they simmered long enough before baking. Older beans may need more cook time.
Can I make this dish spicy?
Add a pinch of cayenne or diced jalapeños for a spicy kick.
How do I keep the beans from drying out?
Keep them covered while baking and add a splash of water or stock if needed.
Try More Recipes:
- Ina Garten Sagaponack Corn Pudding Recipe
- Ina Garten Scallop Gratin Recipe
- Ina Garten Spaghetti Squash Recipe
Ina Garten Baked Beans Recipe
Course: Side DishCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy6
servings15
minutes1
hour30
minutes389
kcalA rich, smoky baked bean dish made with navy beans, bacon, and a sweet molasses-ketchup sauce—perfect for backyard BBQs.
Ingredients
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1 pound navy beans (or 3 cans), rinsed and drained
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6 slices bacon, diced
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1 large onion, chopped
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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1/2 cup ketchup
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1/4 cup molasses
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1/4 cup brown sugar
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2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
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2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
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1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
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1 teaspoon smoked paprika
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1 teaspoon salt
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1/2 teaspoon black pepper
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2 cups water or chicken stock (if using dried beans)
Directions
- Soak and cook dried beans if using. Drain.
- Cook bacon until crisp. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté onions and garlic in bacon fat.
- Mix sauce ingredients in a bowl.
- Combine beans, bacon, sautéed veggies, and sauce in a baking dish.
- Bake covered at 350°F for 1 hour, then uncovered for 20-30 mins.
- Cool slightly and serve.
