Alton Brown Baked Beans Recipe

This Alton Brown Baked Beans recipe is a smoky and syrupy side dish, which includes crispy bacon and convenient canned baked beans. It’s the perfect barbecue accompaniment, ready in about 45 minutes.

Alton Brown Baked Beans Ingredients

• 2 slices bacon, diced
• 1 small sweet onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• ¼ to ½ tsp chipotle chili powder (adjust for heat)
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsp BBQ sauce
• 2 tbsp ketchup
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 cans (22 ounce each) baked beans (such as Bush’s Grillin’ Beans)
• 2 slices bacon, for topping (optional)

How To Make Alton Brown Baked Beans

1. Prep the oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Render the bacon: Heat a large oven-safe skillet (like cast iron) over medium-low heat. Add the diced bacon (2 slices) and cook until it is brown, crisp, and most of the fat has rendered out.
3. Sauté the vegetables: Stir in the diced sweet onion, diced bell pepper, and minced garlic. Cook, stirring often, until everything softens and becomes fragrant, about 5 minutes.
4. Bloom the spices: Stir in the smoked paprika, chipotle chili powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes to toast the spices and release their oils.
5. Make the sauce base: Stir in the apple cider vinegar, BBQ sauce, ketchup, Dijon mustard, and brown sugar. Mix until well combined and the sugar begins to dissolve.
6. Add the beans: Stir in the baked beans directly from the can (do not drain). Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a boil, then turn off the heat.
7. Taste and top: Taste the bean mixture and add more salt, pepper, or chipotle if desired. If using the extra bacon, lay the strips across the top of the beans.
8. Bake: Place the skillet directly into the preheated oven. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the beans are bubbly and the liquid has reduced to a thick syrup consistency.
9. Cool and serve: Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving to allow the sauce to thicken further.

Recipe Tips

• One-Pan Method: Using a cast-iron skillet allows you to go from stovetop to oven without dirtying extra dishes. If you don’t have one, transfer the mixture to a baking dish before putting it in the oven.
• The Beans: This recipe is designed for canned “baked beans” which already come in a sauce. Do not use plain kidney beans or navy beans, or the dish will be dry and flavorless.
• Chipotle Heat: Chipotle powder adds a distinct smokiness and heat. Start with ¼ teaspoon if you are sensitive to spice; increase to ½ teaspoon for a kick.
• Make Ahead: These beans taste even better the next day. Cook them fully, let them cool, cover, and refrigerate. Reheat in the oven or on the stove when ready to serve.

What To Serve With Alton Brown Baked Beans

This is the quintessential cookout side.

• Burgers: A classic backyard pairing.
• Hot Dogs: Spoon over dogs for a chili-dog style meal.
• Potato Salad: The creamy texture balances the sweet/spicy beans.
• Cornbread: Perfect for soaking up the thick sauce.

How To Store Alton Brown Baked Beans

• Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4–5 days.
• Freeze: These beans freeze very well. Let them cool completely, transfer to a freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
• Reheat: Warm gently on the stove or in the microwave.

Alton Brown Baked Beans Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 280kcal
• Protein: 12g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fat: 6g
• Saturates: 2g
• Sugar: 22g
• Salt: 1.1g

Nutrition information is estimated per serving (based on 8 servings).

FAQs