Perfect Side Dish for Holiday Dinners and Cookouts

These sweet and smoky pineapple baked beans add lots of flavor to any meal. They have a delightful blend of sweet and savory, sure to make your taste buds very happy! If you’re looking for something special to add to any get-together with friends and family, this baked beans dish is perfect!

These pineapple baked beans are a favorite side dish at the potlucks and special dinners I’ve attended over the past several decades. They go with a wide variety of meats and other sides, so you can’t go wrong when you serve them. I’ve noticed that people go back for seconds, and that always makes me happy.

I alternate between pineapple baked beans and the more traditional Crock Pot baked beans. Both are popular among friends and family. If you like to have bread with your beans, try some of this delicious southern-style cornbread. Or if you want something light, make some of this super easy cloud bread.

Everyone will love the delicate balance of sweet fruity flavor combined with the savory beans and seasonings. If you serve them, be prepared when folks ask for the recipe. It’s up to you whether or not to give it to them.

Easy Baked Beans Recipe

As always, I found ways to make this recipe so easy that anyone could follow it. In fact, if you want to start teaching your child or grandchild how to cook, this is a good recipe to try.

You basically just add the ingredients, stir them together, pour them into a baking dish, and bake. It’s that easy, and the results give you a huge payoff!

Even though they’re easy to make, they always get rave reviews. Most people really enjoy the little pieces of pineapple.

Sometimes I use pineapple chunks, but I had the crushed pineapple in my pantry. Not one to waste food, that’s what I used. I like both the same.

I’ve also added other things to give it a different flavor. These beans are delicious with crumbled bacon or diced ham mixed in.

My husband and I both enjoy spicy heat in our food. So on occasion, I add some chopped jalapeños or ground cayenne.

I typically keep them mild when I’m bringing them to a potluck—especially when I know children will be there. Plus, a lot of adults prefer not to have spicy food, so it’s better to leave out the peppers when you’re making it for a crowd.

Pineapple Baked Beans Ingredients

Here are the ingredients you’ll need:

• Canned pork and beans
• Crushed pineapple
• Ketchup
• Brown sugar
• Mustard (Dijon or yellow)
• Worcestershire sauce
• Liquid smoke (optional)

How to Make Baked Beans with Pineapple

First, start out by preheating the oven to 350 degrees F. Then spray a 7” x 11” casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.

While the oven preheats, mix the ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and liquid smoke.

Next, stir the drained pineapple and beans (not drained) into the mixture. I don’t drain the beans because I like the additional flavor from the sauce they come in.

Optional: If you want a stronger pineapple flavor, simply drain the beans and use the juice from the pineapple instead.

You can also thicken the sauce by whisking a tablespoon of cornstarch into the pineapple juice before adding it. Another thing you can do is to add more pineapple to the top to make it obvious that it’s in there.

You can also garnish your baked beans with either fresh or dried parsley flakes.

More Tips for Making the Best Pineapple Baked Beans

Follow the directions as stated in the recipe, and you’ll have a delicious side dish. Here are some extra tips for the best results:

• Add chunks of fresh pineapple to increase the flavor.
• Sprinkle in some bacon bits because as everyone knows, bacon makes everything better.
• If you like spicy heat, add cayenne or red pepper flakes.
• Don’t be afraid to add other seasonings that you enjoy. If you’re not sure about something, test it on a small amount first. Then you’ll know.

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