These Honey Baked Beans are a classic and delicious summer side dish that's perfect for barbecues, potlucks, or any summer gathering. Made from scratch with dried navy beans, this homemade baked bean recipe is a healthier and more flavorful alternative to canned honey baked beans.

A small white plate full of honey baked beans next to a casserole dish filled with the rest of the baked beans.

Are you ready to be the star of your next summer party or barbecue? Make baked beans from scratch! No, seriously... do it!

Sure, you could grab a can of baked beans off the shelf, but where's the fun in that? Not to mention, the taste of store-bought baked beans simply can't compare to the real deal.

Making honey baked beans from scratch is surprisingly easy. With just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can create a sweet summer side dish that is full of flavor. And, by making your own baked beans, you have complete control over the ingredients and can adjust the sweetness level to suit your tastes.

Plus, these sweet honey baked beans perfectly complement all of your favorite barbecue staples, including hot dogs, hamburgers, grilled chicken, and steak.

Trust me, everyone will be asking you for this recipe at your next backyard BBQ or summer cookout.

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Ingredients & Substitutions

Here are some notes on the key ingredients. For the full list of ingredients, check out the recipe card below.

Dried Navy Beans- Soak dried navy beans overnight on the counter the day before you plan to make your honey baked beans. For a quicker option, use drained and rinsed canned navy beans. If using alternative beans like cannellini, great northern, black, or kidney beans, cooking times may vary.
Bacon- Thick-cut bacon adds a slightly smoky flavor to the dish.
Onion- Sauté until caramelized to add depth of flavor to the baked beans.
Garlic- A few cloves of minced garlic add a subtle garlic taste.
Tomato Paste- Using tomato paste offers better control over the sugar content and gives the beans an intense tomato flavor. You can also use ketchup if preferred.
Honey- Honey is the primary sweetener in these scratch-made honey baked beans. Use the highest-quality honey you can find.
Brown Sugar- A touch of brown sugar gives these baked beans a caramel-like flavor and enhances the natural sweetness of the honey.
Molasses- Enhances the depth of flavor, adds complexity, and balances the sweetness of the honey and brown sugar.
Apple Cider Vinegar- Balances the sweetness of the baked beans with a bit of acidity.
Water- Thins out the baked bean sauce so that it mixes easily with the cooked navy beans.
Mustard Powder- A little mustard powder adds a tangy note to these honey baked beans.

The ingredients to make honey baked beans. Each ingredient is labeled with text. They include bacon, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, molasses, tomato paste, onion, navy beans, garlic, honey, mustard powder, pepper, and salt.

Tips for Success

Don't skip soaking the beans. Soaking beans before cooking results in creamier, more evenly cooked beans.
Cook the beans until tender. Check the beans for doneness by tasting a few before you drain them to ensure they're perfectly tender.
Use quality ingredients. Splurge on high-quality ingredients like thick-cut bacon and pure, raw honey for the best flavor and texture.
Adjust the sauce before baking. Taste the sauce for sweetness and tanginess before you bake the beans. Add more sugar if you prefer a sweeter dish or more apple cider vinegar for a bit more tang.
Bake low and slow. Baking the beans at a low temperature for a longer time allows the flavors to develop and the sauce to thicken.
Rest the beans before serving. Let the baked honey beans cool and rest for a few minutes after baking to allow the sauce to thicken and the flavors to meld together.
Plan ahead. The beans can be soaked and cooked several days in advance for easier preparation on the day you plan to make these honey baked beans.

How to Make Honey Baked Beans

Here is how to make baked beans with honey.

Step 1: Soak the beans overnight. Add the dried navy beans to a bowl and cover them with water by about 1 inch. Allow them to soak at room temperature for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight.

A bowl of dried navy beans soaking in water. — Before soaking

Dried navy beans in a bowl of water after soaking overnight. — After soaking overnight

Step 2: Cook the beans. Preheat the oven to 300°F. Place the soaked beans in a large pot and cover completely with water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 45 minutes, or until the beans are tender. Drain in a colander and set aside.

Dried navy beans in a pot of water on the stove.

Cooked navy beans draining in a red colander.

Step 3: Sauté the bacon. While the beans are cooking, sauté the diced bacon over medium heat until browned and crispy. Add the diced onion and minced garlic and cook until the onion is softened and caramelized, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and drain any excess bacon fat, if necessary.

Chopped bacon, onion, and garlic sautéing in a cast iron skillet.

Step 4: Make the sauce. Whisk together the water, tomato paste, sweeteners, vinegar, and seasonings in a 2-quart baking dish. Add the cooked bacon, onion, and garlic to the sauce and stir to combine.

The baked bean sauce mixed together in a glass casserole dish.

The honey baked bean sauce mixed with the sautéed bacon mixture.

Step 5: Bake the beans. Add the cooked navy beans to the casserole dish. Stir until the beans are well coated with the sauce. Cover the baking dish with a lid or aluminum foil. Bake covered for 2 hours. Then, remove the cover and bake for an additional 30 minutes or until the beans reach your desired consistency.

The cooked navy beans mixed with the sauce in a casserole dish before baking.

How to Store

Store leftover honey baked beans in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

A round glass casserole dish filled with honey baked beans. There is a large serving spoon sticking out of the beans to the left.

Let's Connect!

Be sure to leave a comment below if you have any questions. You can also connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, or via email at [email protected].

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