Hawaiian Baked Beans
Add Preferred SourceA perfect blend of sweet and savory, Hawaiian Baked Beans are an absolute crowd-pleaser. Ideal for any gathering or a cozy night in, it’s a versatile dish that goes well with almost any main. Just 5 minutes of prep time, and let the oven do the rest!
Why you will love making Hawaiian Baked Beans
Here’s why they’ll become a new favorite in your kitchen:
- Flavor: The unique combination of sweet pineapple and smoky bacon infuses a rich, complex flavor that’s hard to resist. Every bite is delicious!
- Crowd Pleaser: Whether it’s a family dinner or a large cookout, this dish has universal appeal.
- Easy Prep: With straightforward steps and common ingredients, this recipe is accessible to cooks of all skill levels.
- Versatility: Serve them as a hearty main or as a complementary side to a variety of dishes.
- Diet-Friendly: Easily adjustable to cater to low-sodium or vegetarian diets with a few simple swaps.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients in the photograph below.
How to make Hawaiian Baked Beans with Step-By-Step Instructions
A complete printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.
Preparing Hawaiian Baked Beans is simple. Here’s how to bring this tasty dish to your table:
Preheat Your Oven
Before you start mixing your ingredients, preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). This will have your oven ready at the right temperature when your dish is ready to go in.
Combine the Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the canned pork and beans, cooked chopped bacon, red onion, green bell pepper, brown sugar, garlic salt, smoked paprika, liquid smoke, and BBQ sauce. Stir in the crushed pineapple last to maintain some texture.
Bake
Pour the mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish. Place it in the oven and bake for 1 ½ hours. This slow baking process allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the sauce to thicken to just the right consistency.
Garnishing
About an hour into baking, you can add extra toppings like more bacon, scallions, and pineapple rings if desired. This not only adds to the flavor but also makes the dish visually appealing.
Serve and Enjoy
Once the beans are bubbly and thickened, remove from the oven. Let it cool slightly before serving to allow the flavors to set.
Ingredients
- 4 15-ounce cans pork and beans
- 1 cup cooked chopped bacon
- Half a red onion chopped
- Small green bell pepper chopped
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
- ½ cup BBQ sauce
- 1 20-ounce can crushed pineapple drained
- Scallions for garnish
- Pineapple rings for garnish optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
- In a large bowl combine the pork and beans, cooked bacon, red onion, bell pepper, brown sugar, garlic salt, smoked paprika, liquid smoke, BBQ sauce, and crushed pineapple. Toss to combine.4 15-ounce cans pork and beans, 1 cup cooked, Half a red onion, Small green bell pepper, ⅓ cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon garlic salt, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon liquid smoke, ½ cup BBQ sauce, 1 20-ounce can crushed pineapple
- Pour into a 9×13 baking dish.
- Bake for 1 ½ hours until bubbly and thickened.
- You can garnish with more bacon, scallions, and pineapple rings at the 1-hour mark if you like.Scallions for garnish, Pineapple rings for garnish
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Adjust the Sweetness: Depending on your taste, you can increase or decrease the amount of brown sugar or pineapple. Start with less and add more as needed after tasting.
- Pineapple: Fresh pineapple can be used in place of canned. Just chop it into small pieces and you might want to adjust the sweetness slightly, as fresh pineapple can be less sweet than canned.
- Liquid Smoke: The liquid smoke is a key ingredient for that authentic smoky flavor, but it’s strong, so add it gradually.
- BBQ Sauce: Feel free to play around with different barbecue sauces: honey, spicy, sweet, and steakhouse are great choices.
- Bacon Bits: For extra flavor, sprinkle crispy bacon bits on top after baking.
- Spice It Up: If you like a little heat, adding a dash of cayenne pepper, diced jalapeño, or even mustard can kick it up a notch.
- Make Ahead: This dish can be prepared a day in advance and refrigerated. Simply reheat in the oven before serving, which can also deepen the flavors.
- Slow Cooker: You can easily adapt this recipe for a slow cooker. Combine all ingredients as directed and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours.
- Vegetarian & Vegan Option: To make this dish vegan, omit the bacon or use a plant-based bacon alternative and check that your BBQ sauce is vegan-friendly.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
- Cool and Airtight: Let the beans cool to room temperature before you pack them away in airtight containers.
- Refrigerate: Pop them in the fridge as soon as they cool down to keep them safe and preserve their taste. They’ll keep well for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, these beans can be frozen. Place them in freezer-safe containers or bags, and they can last for up to 3 months. Just thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Nutrition
Recipe Notes and Expert Tips
To get the most out of your Hawaiian Baked Beans, here are some handy tips and tweaks:
- Adjust the Sweetness: Depending on your taste, you can increase or decrease the amount of brown sugar or pineapple. Start with less and add more as needed after tasting.
- Pineapple: Fresh pineapple can be used in place of canned. Just chop it into small pieces and you might want to adjust the sweetness slightly, as fresh pineapple can be less sweet than canned.
- Liquid Smoke: The liquid smoke is a key ingredient for that authentic smoky flavor, but it’s strong, so add it gradually.
- BBQ Sauce: Feel free to play around with different barbecue sauces: honey, spicy, sweet, and steakhouse are great choices.
- Bacon Bits: For extra flavor, sprinkle crispy bacon bits on top after baking.
- Spice It Up: If you like a little heat, adding a dash of cayenne pepper, diced jalapeño, or even mustard can kick it up a notch.
- Make Ahead: This dish can be prepared a day in advance and refrigerated. Simply reheat in the oven before serving, which can also deepen the flavors.
- Slow Cooker: You can easily adapt this recipe for a slow cooker. Combine all ingredients as directed and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours.
- Vegetarian & Vegan Option: To make this dish vegan, omit the bacon or use a plant-based bacon alternative and check that your BBQ sauce is vegan-friendly.
How to Store Leftover Hawaiian Baked Beans
Leftovers are a treat with this dish as the flavors continue to meld and improve. Here’s the best way to store your Hawaiian Baked Beans:
- Cool and Airtight: Let the beans cool to room temperature before you pack them away in airtight containers.
- Refrigerate: Pop them in the fridge as soon as they cool down to keep them safe and preserve their taste. They’ll keep well for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, these beans can be frozen. Place them in freezer-safe containers or bags, and they can last for up to 3 months. Just thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Our Top 3 Money-Saving Tips for This Recipe
Saving money while cooking doesn’t mean you have to cut corners on taste. Here are three cost-effective tips for making Hawaiian Baked Beans:
- Generic Brands: Opt for store-brand or generic versions of ingredients like BBQ sauce and liquid smoke.
- Less Sugar: Cut down on sugar and let the natural sweetness of pineapple shine.
- Leftovers Revamp: Transform leftovers into different meals like wraps or as a topping for baked potatoes.
What to Serve with Hawaiian Baked Beans
Pairing the right dishes with Hawaiian Baked Beans can make this a meal to remember. Here’s how to complement the flavors of your beans perfectly:
Main Dishes
Hawaiian Baked Beans go well with a variety of main dishes. Grilled or BBQ meats, such as pulled pork, grilled chicken, or ribs, enhance the smoky flavor of the beans. The sweetness of the pineapple in the beans also pairs beautifully with the savory notes of these meats.
Side Dishes
For side dishes, try dishes that can absorb the rich sauce of the beans. Cornbread is a classic choice, offering a slightly sweet, buttery crumb that pairs wonderfully with the beans.
Rice Dishes
A simple dish of steamed rice or pineapple fried rice can also go well with Hawaiian Baked Beans. Rice makes an excellent base for the beans, absorbing the flavors and balancing the sweetness and smokiness perfectly.
