Every good Southern cookout has two things: good company and baked beans bubbling in the oven.
The smell alone can take you back — that sweet, smoky aroma filling the kitchen while everyone gathers around the table. But these Southern baked beans aren’t your grandma’s sugar-heavy version. They’re plant-based, oil-free, and made with just four simple ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.
We’re talking creamy navy beans, tangy BBQ sauce, a drizzle of molasses for depth, and a couple of bay leaves for that slow-cooked, old-fashioned flavor. That’s it — no fuss, no mystery ingredients. Just wholesome comfort that tastes like home.
Nutrition Highlights
- Calories: Homemade saves you 30 calories per serving.
- Sugar: ⅓ less sugar than canned versions (10g vs 15g).
- Fat: Nearly fat-free and cholesterol-free.
- Fiber + Protein: Matches canned beans, offering steady energy and digestive health benefits.
Pro Tip
For a thicker, stick-to-your-spoon texture, let the beans rest 10 minutes before serving. The sauce will thicken as it cools — perfect for mopping up with cornbread or spooning over your Southern Smokehouse Bean Burger.
🌻 Stay Sunny
Good food doesn’t need to be complicated — it just needs to be made with love. These Southern baked beans are proof that a few simple ingredients can fill your kitchen (and your heart) with warmth.
Smokey Southern Baked Beans
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix the sauce: In a bowl, whisk together BBQ sauce and molasses.
- Combine: Add navy beans to a small baking dish, then pour the sauce over top. Stir gently until the beans are fully coated.
- Add flavor: Tuck in the bay leaves — they’ll infuse that deep, savory aroma.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake another 15 minutes until thick and bubbly.
- Serve warm: Remove bay leaves before serving and enjoy as a hearty side dish with burgers, corn on the cob, or roasted veggies.