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Homemade pork and beans are savory, sweet, and ready in about 30 minutes! They’re a great side dish for your next barbecue or cookout. Using canned beans makes this recipe extra easy and fuss-free.

Serve this homemade pork and beans with your favorite grilled meats, like Grilled Tri Tip, BBQ Ranch Grilled Chicken Breast, or Grilled London Broil.

Large pot of homemade pork and beans.

Why We Love This Recipe

  • Ready in 30 Minutes – This recipe is far faster than the traditional version that uses dried beans. It’s also quicker than my Slow Cooker Baked Beans which take several hours, so it’s a great last minute choice.
  • Classic Side for a Cookout – This is a favorite side dish for a cookout or barbecue for a good reason!
  • One-Pot Recipe – Everything cooks in the same pot for easy clean-up.

Ingredients For Homemade Pork and Beans

  • Bacon – Thick cut bacon is best that you’ll dice up and cook down to crisp it up.
  • Yellow Onion – Finely chopped – you want the flavor, not big chunks.
  • Tomato Sauce – A small can, and any brand will do.
  • Brown Sugar – You can use dark or light brown sugar.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar
  • Worcestershire Sauce
  • Navy or Cannellini Beans – Straight out of the can.
  • Spices – Ground mustard, garlic powder, kosher salt, black pepper
Ingredients needed to make pork and beans from scratch.

How To Make Pork n Beans

See the recipe card below for full, detailed instructions

This pork and beans recipe is quick cooking, ready in just 30 minutes, and all in one pot!

  1. Cook the Bacon and Onions – Start by heating a large pot over medium heat and cooking the diced bacon. Cook the bacon for about 5 minutes until the fat is rendered out then add the diced onion. Cook the onion until softened.
  2. Add Sauce Ingredients – Add the tomato sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, Worcestershire, and spices. Stir and bring the mixture to a simmer.
  3. Add Beans – Add the beans (undrained) and stir to combine. Bring it back to a simmer and cook, stirring often, for about 15-20 minutes until the sauce thickens.
  4. Serve – Taste and adjust salt and pepper then serve.
Collage of images for making pork and beans.

FAQs

What is the difference between pork and beans and baked beans?

Pork and beans have a thinner sauce and are meatier than traditional baked beans.

Should you drain the canned beans?

Do not drain the canned beans for this recipe. The liquid in the can is super flavorful and helps make the sauce thicker and velvety.

Can pork and beans be made in the crockpot?

Yes they can! It’s best to still cook up the bacon and onion in a skillet on the stove, before adding everything to the slow cooker.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these at any backyard barbecue or cookout! They’re great alongside your favorite summer recipes like grilled hamburgers, corn on the cob, and macaroni salad.

Wooden spoon and a small bowl with pork and beans.

Variations

  • Spices – You can easily mix up the flavor by adding different spices. Some other favorites to add are chili powder, paprika, cumin, and even cinnamon.
  • Peppers – Try adding chopped bell peppers when you saute the onions for a veggie addition.
  • Pork – Instead of the thick cut bacon, you can use a boneless pork shoulder diced into pieces, or just add some leftover shredded pulled pork.
  • Beans – Instead of the navy or cannellini beans, you can also use kidney or pinto beans, or even a combination of these if that’s what you have on hand.

Storage

Storage – Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Reheating – Leftovers can be reheated in a pot on the stove until warmed or in the microwave (stirring occasionally).

Bowl of homemade pork and beans with a spoon.
  • Don’t Drain the Beans – The liquid in the can adds flavor and helps thicken the sauce.
  • Taste and Adjust – This recipe is very forgiving and adjustable to your taste. You can easily add more or less brown sugar, vinegar, etc to suit your preferences.

More Recipes with Beans

Recipe

Homemade Pork and Beans

4.67 from 3 votes
Homemade Pork and Beans are savory, sweet, and ready in just 30 minutes! They’re a great, hearty side dish for your next barbecue or cookout.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • ½ pound thick cut bacon diced
  • ¾ cup finely chopped yellow onion
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground mustard
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 45 ounces canned navy or cannellini beans (undrained)
  • Kosher salt to taste
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Instructions
 

  • Heat a large pot over medium heat and add the diced bacon. Cook until the fat is rendered out, 4-5 minutes. Add diced onion and cook, stirring often, until softened; 7-8 minutes.
  • Stir in tomato sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, ground mustard, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
  • Add the beans in their liquid and bring the mixture back up to a simmer. Cook, stirring often, for 15-20 minutes. The sauce will thicken as it simmers.
  • Taste and season with salt as desired.
Keyword homemade pork and beans, pork and beans

Nutrition

Calories: 459kcalCarbohydrates: 59gProtein: 21gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.05gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 471mgPotassium: 1225mgFiber: 11gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 193IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 179mgIron: 7mg

Nutritional Disclaimer Kristin Maxwell of “Yellow Bliss Road” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. For accurate calorie counts and other nutritional values, we recommend running the ingredients through your preferred online nutritional calculator. Calories and other nutritional values can vary depending on which brands were used.

Kristin Maxwell

Kristin Maxwell is the creator and main recipe developer, writer, and photographer of Yellow Bliss Road. A self-taught cook and self-appointed foodie, she specializes in easy, flavorful and approachable recipes for any home cook.

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4.67 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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