🫘 Celina's Family Baked Beans
14 Quarts for the "Cantry"!
📌 In This Article
🫘 The Baked Beans Story
"Got my baked beans canned up! 14qts for the 'cantry' 🥳 Edited to add recipe - Celina's family baked beans. Makes 14qts. Family recipe that was never a solid measurement kind, so it's really all to taste. My first time canning this recipe and they look a little dry to me so I may add more ketchup & brown sugar before baking since we like them saucy."
There's something deeply satisfying about filling your pantry — or as we like to call it, the "cantry" — with jars of homemade goodness. And these baked beans? They're the ultimate comfort food in a jar.
This is Celina's family recipe. It's the kind of recipe that was never written down with exact measurements — it's a "little of this, a little of that" kind of recipe. But the result is always delicious: tender navy beans, smoky bacon, sweet ketchup, and rich brown sugar.
I canned 14 quarts for the cantry, plus an 8" casserole dish for dinner. And honestly? They look a little dry, so I may add more ketchup and brown sugar before baking since we like them saucy. 😉
💬 The verdict: "14qts for the 'cantry' 🥳" — Family recipes are the best kind of recipes.
💪 Why Can Baked Beans?
Comfort Food in a Jar!
🥓"A family recipe that was never a solid measurement kind, so it's really all to taste."
Tender Beans
Soaked and simmered
Smoky Bacon
In every bite
Shelf Stable
Up to 1 year
Make it once, enjoy baked beans all year long.
Canned baked beans are perfect for summer cookouts, winter comfort meals, camping trips, or anytime you want a hearty, homemade side dish without the work. Just open a jar, heat it up, and serve.
📦 Ingredients
🫘 For Celina's Family Baked Beans
- 🫘 6 (1-lb) bags of Navy beans
- 🍅 1 huge can of ketchup – about 7 lbs 2 oz
- 🍚 1 standard bag of brown sugar
- 🧅 Chopped onion to taste – about ¼ cup per jar
- 🥓 4 lbs of bacon – cooked halfway
- 🍶 Splash or 2 of white vinegar – for flavor
- 🌿 A good couple shakes of dry BBQ rub seasoning – brand is Pork Barrel BBQ
- 💧 A few quarts of water – to thin down the sauce
🫙 For the Jars
- 🫙 14 quart jars (plus extra for the casserole dish)
- 🧴 New lids and rings
💡 Pro tip: "Family recipe that was never a solid measurement kind, so it's really all to taste. Don't be afraid to adjust as you go."
📊 The Approximate Ratio
Since this is a family recipe, the amounts are flexible. Here's the approximate breakdown:
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Navy beans | 6 lbs (6 bags) |
| Ketchup | 1 huge can (about 7 lbs 2 oz) |
| Brown sugar | 1 standard bag |
| Onion | To taste (about ¼ cup per jar) |
| Bacon | 4 lbs (cooked halfway) |
| White vinegar | A splash or 2 |
| BBQ rub | A couple shakes (Pork Barrel BBQ) |
| Water | A few quarts (to thin the sauce) |
💡 Pro tip: "You may get 15-16 qts because I did an 8" dish for dinner instead 🤗 to keep an even number for canning purposes and I hate wasted space in canner."
📝 Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1 – Prepare the Beans
- Soak the navy beans overnight in a large pot of water.
- Drain the beans and discard the soaking water.
- Recover the beans with fresh water.
- Boil the beans until they are almost soft. They will finish cooking in the pressure canner.
💡 Pro tip: "I read up on several recipes for baked beans/Boston beans and followed it for getting the beans started. Soak overnight, drain, recover with water and boil till almost soft."
Step 2 – Make the Sauce
- In a large pot, combine the ketchup, brown sugar, white vinegar, and BBQ rub.
- Add a few quarts of water to thin down the sauce. The beans still have more cooking to do, so the sauce should be a bit looser than you want the final product.
- Bring the sauce to a soft boil so the sugar dissolves.
- Keep the sauce hot while you fill the jars.
💡 Pro tip: "Bring the sauce to a soft boil so the sugar dissolves and it's hot enough to put jars into warmed canner."
Step 3 – Cook the Bacon
- Cook the bacon halfway — it should still be soft and slightly pink.
- Drain the bacon and tear it into pieces.
- Divide the bacon between the jars and the casserole dish.
⚠️ Important: "Cook the bacon halfway — it will finish cooking in the pressure canner. Fully cooked bacon would turn to mush."
Step 4 – Fill the Jars
- Fill the quart jars about ¾ full with the partially cooked beans.
- Add chopped onion to each jar (about ¼ cup per jar).
- Add the torn bacon pieces to each jar.
- Pour the hot sauce over the beans, leaving 1 inch headspace.
- Stir the onion and bacon into the beans so they don't sit on top.
- Wipe rims clean with a damp cloth.
- Add lids and rings — finger-tight.
⚠️ Important: "Add the sauce to 1" headspace and stir in the onion and bacon so it wasn't on top."
Step 5 – Pressure Can
- Place jars in your pressure canner with 2-3 inches of water.
- Seal the canner and bring to 10 lbs pressure.
- Process quarts for 75 minutes.
- Adjust for altitude if necessary.
⚠️ Important Safety Warning
Baked beans MUST be pressure canned. Water bath canning is NOT safe for beans containing meat or low-acid ingredients. The temperature needs to reach 240°F to kill pathogens.
Follow USDA guidelines for canning beans and meat.
Step 6 – Cool and Store
- Allow pressure to naturally release to 0 PSI.
- Remove jars and cool on a dishtowel for 24 hours.
- Check seals — the lid should be concave and not flex.
- Store in a cool, dark place for up to 1 year.
💡 Pro tip: "Listen for that satisfying 'pop' — that's the sound of a perfect seal!"
Step 7 – Serve and Enjoy
- To serve, open a jar and heat in a pot.
- If the beans seem dry, add a little ketchup and brown sugar before heating.
- Serve alongside burgers, hot dogs, or BBQ.
Note from Celina: "My first time canning this recipe and they look a little dry to me so I may add more ketchup & brown sugar before baking since we like them saucy."
🍽️ How to Serve Your Canned Baked Beans
🫘 Quick Ideas
- 🍔 Cookouts: The classic side for burgers and hot dogs
- 🍖 BBQ: Serve alongside pulled pork, ribs, or brisket
- 🌭 Hot Dogs: Top a hot dog with baked beans
- 🍳 Breakfast: Serve with eggs and bacon
- 🥔 Loaded Potato: Top a baked potato with baked beans
- 🌽 Cornbread: Serve with cornbread for a Southern classic
- 🥓 Bacon: Add extra crispy bacon on top
- 🧅 Onions: Top with diced raw onions
💡 Pro tip: "If the beans seem dry, add a little ketchup and brown sugar before heating. We like them saucy!"
🥫 How to Store
- 🏠 Pantry: Up to 1 year in a cool, dark place
- 🧊 Refrigerator after opening: Use within 1 week
- 🔥 Reheat: Stovetop or microwave
💡 Pro tip: "Label your jars with the date so you know when they were canned."
💡 Pro Tips
- 🫘 Soak overnight: Soaking the beans overnight is essential for even cooking.
- 🔥 Par-cook the beans: Boil until almost soft — they'll finish cooking in the canner.
- 🥓 Half-cook the bacon: Fully cooked bacon turns to mush in the canner.
- 💧 Thin the sauce: The beans still have more cooking to do, so the sauce should be a bit loose.
- 🧅 Stir it in: Stir the onion and bacon into the beans so they don't sit on top.
- 📏 Leave headspace: 1 inch is essential for safety.
- 🫙 Use new lids: Old lids may not seal properly.
💡 Pro tip: "Family recipe that was never a solid measurement kind, so it's really all to taste."
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Can I water bath can baked beans?
NO! Baked beans with meat must be pressure canned. Water bath canning is NOT safe for beans containing meat or low-acid ingredients.
❓ How long do canned baked beans last?
Up to 1 year in a cool, dark place when properly pressure canned.
❓ Do I have to soak the beans overnight?
Yes, soaking overnight is essential for even cooking and texture.
❓ Can I use a different type of bean?
Yes! Navy beans are traditional, but you can use great northern beans, pinto beans, or soldier beans.
❓ Can I use bacon that's fully cooked?
No — cook it halfway. Fully cooked bacon turns to mush in the pressure canner.
❓ How many jars does this recipe make?
About 14 quart jars, plus an 8" casserole dish for dinner.
❓ Why did my beans get dry?
They may have absorbed more liquid than expected during canning. Add ketchup and brown sugar before reheating.
❓ Can I add other ingredients?
Yes! Try mustard, molasses, or a little bourbon for depth.
❓ Why did my jar not seal?
Check the rim for residue, use fresh lids, and ensure proper headspace.
❓ What's a "cantry"?
A pantry dedicated to canned goods. "14qts for the 'cantry' 🥳"
📄 Printable Recipe Card
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║ CELINA'S FAMILY BAKED BEANS ║
║ 14 Quarts for the "Cantry"! ║
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YIELD: ~14 quarts | TIME: ~3 hours | PROCESS: 75 min
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INGREDIENTS
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- 6 (1-lb) bags of Navy beans
- 1 huge can of ketchup (about 7 lbs 2 oz)
- 1 standard bag of brown sugar
- Chopped onion to taste (about ¼ cup per jar)
- 4 lbs of bacon, cooked halfway
- Splash or 2 of white vinegar
- A couple shakes of dry BBQ rub (Pork Barrel BBQ)
- A few quarts of water to thin down the sauce
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INSTRUCTIONS
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1. Soak beans overnight. Drain, recover with water,
and boil until almost soft.
2. Make sauce: Combine ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar,
and BBQ rub in a large pot. Add water to thin.
Bring to a soft boil so sugar dissolves. Keep hot.
3. Cook bacon halfway. Drain and tear into pieces.
Divide between jars and casserole dish.
4. Fill quart jars ¾ full with beans. Add chopped
onion and torn bacon pieces. Pour hot sauce over
beans, leaving 1 inch headspace. Stir onion and
bacon in so they don't sit on top.
5. Wipe rims. Add lids and rings finger-tight.
6. PRESSURE CAN:
- Quarts: 75 minutes at 10 lbs pressure
7. Cool, check seals, and store.
8. To serve: heat and enjoy. If dry, add more
ketchup and brown sugar before heating.
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HOW TO SERVE
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✓ Cookouts with burgers and hot dogs
✓ BBQ with pulled pork or ribs
✓ Topped on hot dogs
✓ Breakfast with eggs and bacon
✓ Loaded baked potatoes
✓ With cornbread
✓ Topped with crispy bacon
✓ Topped with diced onions
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"14qts for the 'cantry' 🥳" 🫘🥓
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© CanningRebels — Celina's Family Baked Beans
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