Bush's Baked Beans Recipe

These Bush's original baked beans are my go-to side dish to complete any picnic or holiday meal. Tender navy beans, crispy bacon, brown sugar, and some secret ingreidents come together to create one incredible flavor combination. This copycat recipe makes my favorite baked beans ever, and I think you'll love them just as much as I do!

My Take On Bush's Baked Beans

This Bush's original baked beans recipe takes regular old original baked beans to new heights. The flavor is just amazing, and it actually makes me crave baked beans for dinner. It's that good!

The key to this secret family recipe is in the signature blend of spices and smoky diced bacon. That combination with the tender navy beans and sweetness from the brown sugar will make even the pickiest eaters in your family come back for seconds. Seriously, my wife typically will never eat baked beans, but she loves this recipe!

Since it's so delicious and easy, I always make this recipe for family gatherings. The Bush's baked beans are always a hit, and my family's mouths start to water as soon as they hit the table. So this just might become the next secret family recipe for you too!

I love to serve these fabulous baked beans alongside this fun take on a classic Krabby Patty or a Southern meal like this chicken cobbler. The homemade baked beans basically go with everything, so feel free to serve them with any dishes you want!

Why This Recipe Works

Quick and easy to make. You barely have to do anything to make these rich, flavorful Bush's baked beans. Just a little mixing, and they'll be ready in 30 minutes!

Crowd pleaser. Everyone always loves this recipe, even those picky eaters who don't typically eat anything with beans!

The flavor. I've never tasted anything like these beans, and I think you'll be blown away by the unique flavor too. It's sweet, smokey, savory, and just delicious!

Ingredients

Another reason I can't stop making this Bush's original baked beans recipe is it comes together with just seven pantry staples. I typically have all of them on hand already, and hopefully, you will too. 

Check out what you need to make Bush's original baked beans:

• 2 cans baked beans
• 4 slices specially cured bacon, diced
• 1 tbsp. mustard
• 2 tbsp. tomato paste
• 2 tbsp. soy sauce
• 3 tbsp. fine brown sugar
• 1 bay leaf

By the way, if you love these baked beans as much as I do, you have to try my baked bean casserole next!

How To Make Bush's Baked Beans

1. Prep work. Preheat the oven to 350F and spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. 

2. Make the baked bean mixture. Combine the baked beans, fine brown sugar, tomato paste, and mustard in a large bowl. Mix well until the ingreidents fully combine together. Then pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.

3. Bake the beans. Top the beans evenly with the bacon and bay leaf. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-30 minutes, uncovered, until bubbling around the edges.

4. Serve the baked beans. As soon as the baked beans come out of the oven, serve warm with salad, bread, or anything you want. Enjoy!

My Tips For Making The Best Bush's Baked Beans

• I like to use canned beans for these baked beans and skip the steps of soaking and sorting dried beans. They taste just as good!
• If you can't find canned navy beans, kidney or pinto beans work just as well.
• Use your favorite bacon in this recipe and make it your own. I love specially cured bacon, but Applewood smoked bacon and even thick-cut bacon will work great too.
• If your brown sugar sauce is a bit too runny, adding a bit of modified corn starch to the mix will help it thicken up. Add the modified corn starch and stir constantly until thickened to your liking.
• If you want to enhance the savory flavor of the baked beans, add a teaspoon of onion powder and garlic powder to the signature blend of spices.

How I Recommend Storing Bush's Baked Beans

In the fridge: Transfer any leftover baked beans to an airtight container and keep them in the fridge. I suggest eating them within 4 days for the best experience.

In the freezer: Be sure that your Bush's original baked beans are completely cooled before freezing for the best texture upon reheating. Place the baked beans in a freezer-safe airtight container and freeze for up to 6 months.

Reheating: To reheat cold baked beans, I've found the best way is to place them in a baking dish and heat them in the oven at 350°F until they're warmed through. If you're in a hurry, a minute or two in the microwave should be enough time to get these baked beans heated through. Thaw frozen baked beans in the fridge overnight before reheating or add more reheating time.

FAQS About This Baked Beans Recipe

What can I serve with Bush's Baked Beans?

Bush's baked beans are great served with things like these chicken and waffles, chicken and dressing, kielbasa and sauerkraut, and crock pot BBQ pork chops.

What kind of beans are used for Bush baked beans?

Navy beans are the beans that are used for Bush baked beans.

What to add to baked beans?

Some simple additions to add to canned baked beans to make them better are bacon, brown sugar, mustard, and tomato paste. Those are the additions in this recipe, and I think they make canned baked beans taste out of this world good.

More Of My Favorite Bean Recipes

• Butter beans
• Ham and beans
• Pinto beans and rice
• Apple pie baked beans
• Great Northern beans recipe
• Grandma Brown's baked beans