Homemade Pork and Beans Recipe : My Crazy Good Life

Name: Homemade Pork and Beans Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 8 slices bacon (turkey or nitrate free | cooked, but not crispy. Cut into small pieces. ); 1 can white beans (14 oz can, undrained, I used great northern beans); 1 tsp onion powder; 1/4 tsp smoked paprika; 1 tsp molasses; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1/4 cup honey

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This Homemade Pork and Beans Recipe is a healthier, flavor-packed twist on the classic comfort food—made with simple ingredients and no refined sugar. It’s a hearty, satisfying side dish that’s perfect for potlucks or cozy family dinners.

If this recipe is making your mouth water, you might also love our Sweet Refrigerator Pickles Recipe, this recipe for Healthy Baked Beans, and this Instant Pot Mac and Cheese Recipe.

Homemade healthy pork and beans in a white bowl on top of a wooden board.

Becca, author of My Crazy Good Life, standing in kitchen smiling.

Why I Love This Healthy Pork and Beans

I’ve always loved pork and beans, but most store-bought versions are packed with sugar and preservatives. That’s why I started making my own—and honestly, I’ll never go back. This healthy homemade version is full of flavor, easy to customize, and made with simple ingredients I feel good about serving to my family. It’s comfort food with a healthy twist, and it brings back all the nostalgic flavors without the guilt.

Enjoy!

– Becca

Ingredients in Homemade Pork and Beans

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Labeled ingredients in a cast iron skillet to include cooked bacon, white beans, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, molasses, and honey.

White beans: White beans are a nutritional powerhouse, as they’re packed with fiber and protein and a good source of numerous micronutrients.
Bacon: I use turkey bacon when I make pork and beans, but you can use regular bacon if that is what you prefer.
Molasses: The molasses in this recipe is a great way to use a natural sweetener for that sweet barbecue flavor we all love in the savory sauce of pork and beans.

How to Make Homemade Pork and Beans

A black cast iron skillet with white beans, chopped and cooked bacon, and seasonings for Homemade Pork and Beans Recipe.

Step 1: First cook the bacon. You want cooked, not crispy bacon for this recipe.

Add in the cooked bacon, the beans and seasonings to a large skillet and heat over medium to medium high heat.

Tip: I like to spray my pans with olive oil before cooking to prevent sticking.

A cast iron skillet with chopped cooked bacon, white beans and a white measuring cup pouring honey into the skillet.

Step 2: Pour the honey and molasses into the pan and stir everything together.

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A black cast iron skillet with Homemade Pork and Beans being stirred by a wooden spoon.

Step 3: Turn the heat down, cover the pan, and let the pork and beans simmer for about 45 minutes. Stir occasionally to keep the beans from sticking.

If you prefer a thicker sauce, leave the lid off so the liquid can cook down. If you don’t mind a thinner sauce, keeping the lid on is just fine.

A white bowl with Homemade Pork and Beans being stirred by a wooden spoon.

Step 4: After the cooking time is done and the liquid has thickened, give it a quick taste test. Then remove the pan from the heat and serve immediately.

Recipe Tips

Thanks to the canned beans, this dish is very forgiving—it’s tough to undercook or overcook. Feel free to simmer it a little longer or shorter depending on your schedule. You’re really just giving the spices and bacon time to meld together.
This is a great recipe to make ahead. I like to cook a big batch and freeze it for later. For best results, let the beans cool completely, then freeze in single portions using freezer-safe bags or containers. To reheat, just simmer on the stove or warm them up in the microwave.
For extra flavor, try simmering the beans on the grill in a foil pan. If you have a smoker, even better! Let them simmer for about an hour to soak up that smoky goodness—your taste buds will thank you.

A white bowl filled with homemade pork and beans, with a wooden spoon lifting a hearty spoonful from the bowl.

Pork and Beans FAQs

Can I use pork and beans for baked beans?

Yes! I make pork and beans often during the summer months because my Healthy Baked Beans recipe is always requested for parties. I love making this homemade pork n beans recipe instead of relying on the canned stuff.

What goes well with pork and beans?

Some of my favorite recipes to serve with pork and beans is my BBQ Meatloaf Recipe, this Bacon Ranch Chicken Pasta Salad, Tuna Macaroni Pasta, and this Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breast recipe.

What kind of beans are pork and beans made of?

Pork and beans are typically made with white beans. There are several white bean options, like cannellini beans, navy beans and pinto beans, but I typically use great northern canned beans.

Healthy Eating Plans

21 Day Fix Containers

Entire recipe: 4 yellow containers, 2 red containers, and 13 teaspoons

Per serving: Just under 1 yellow container, 1/2 red container, and just over 3 teaspoons.

To lower the total teaspoons, reduce the amount of honey in the recipe.

Weight Watchers Points

7 2025 Plan Points

Backyard BBQ Recipes

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Healthy Baked Beans Recipe with Ground Turkey

Bacon Wrapped BBQ Meatloaf Bombs

Restaurant Style Salsa in the Blender

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Healthy pork and beans in a white bowl on top of a wooden board.

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