Looking for the ultimate potluck or BBQ side dish? This recipe for Hawaiian-style beans with Bacon and Pineapple is a delightful blend of sweet and spicy flavors, all wrapped up in a dish that's super easy to make. I love the combination of pineapple, green pepper, and bacon, along with the sweetness of the sugar and the bite of Worcestershire sauce. Give it a try and watch it become the star of the table!
The Hawaiian Beans Inspiration and Story
I love baked beans of all kinds and often bring them to a potluck or serve them at the BBQ. Whether it be Texas-style ranch Beans or my low-fat Mexican Bean Salad, beans are always well received. and this recipe, slightly modified from one given to me by my good friends from Hawaii is one that always gets good reviews.
Why Make this Recipe for Hawaiian Beans?
- Effortless Preparation: This recipe is incredibly easy to put together. With simple steps and minimal prep work, you'll have a delicious dish ready in no time.
- Versatile Cooking Methods: You can cook these beans in a slow cooker for hands-off convenience, bake them in the oven, or simmer them on the stovetop.
- Flavor Explosion: The combination of beans, bacon, pineapple, onion, green pepper, and Worcestershire sauce creates a perfect blend of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors that will make your taste buds dance.
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Ingredients and Substitutions
- Thick sliced bacon - preferably applewood smoked.
- Green pepper - Green bell peppers are more vegetative than sweet, so green is the preferred flavor, but you could substitute red, orange, or yellow.
- Onion - preferably a sweet Maui onion or Vidalia onion. But any yellow onion will work.
- Pineapple - crushed canned or finely minced fresh.
- Canned pork and beans - nothing fancy here. Just plain beans cooked in tomato sauce. Don't get a flavored canned bean such as maple or brown sugar as the added flavors will alter the recipe.
- Ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce.
This recipe can easily be doubled. See the recipe card for amounts.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Finely dice the bacon.
Slowly brown the bacon, over medium-low heat (it is more important to render the fat from the bacon than to quickly brown it, so low and slow is the way to go).
While the bacon renders its fat and browns, finely dice the green pepper.
And the onion.
Once the bacon has rendered its fat, there should be 1 to 1 ½ tablespoons of bacon fat. If not, either add some oil or if you are like me, some bacon fat from the refrigerator. Then, still over medium-low heat, add the onions and bell pepper to the pan, and saute until soft.
Stir in the beans and partially drained crushed pineapple. Stir well.
Add the remaining ingredients, ketchup, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce.
Transfer your beans (if necessary) to whichever cooking method you choose.
- If cooking in a Multi-Purpose Cooker: Set to slow-cook low for 3 hours or high for 1 hour.
- If cooking in the oven, heat the oven to 300ºF (149ºC) and cook, covered, for 1 hour.
- If cooking in a CrockPot: Transfer the ingredients to the crockpot and cook low, for 3 hours, or high for 1 hour.
FAQ
Using a green bell pepper in Hawaiian Beans with Pineapple adds a fresh, slightly bitter flavor that balances the sweetness of the pineapple and the richness of the bacon. Green bell peppers also provide a vibrant color contrast.
Using another color, like red, yellow, or orange, would make the dish sweeter and add a different visual appeal. It might reduce the balance of flavors that the green pepper offers.
Yes, beans are very healthy! Here are some reasons why:
High in Protein: Beans are a great plant-based protein source, which is essential for muscle repair and growth.
Rich in Fiber: They are high in dietary fiber, which aids in digestion, helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels, and keeps you feeling full longer.
Low in Fat: Beans are naturally low in fat, making them a heart-healthy option.
Packed with Nutrients: They provide essential vitamins and minerals, such as iron, magnesium, and folate, which support overall health.
Antioxidants: Beans contain antioxidants that help fight inflammation and protect against chronic diseases.
Yes. It's great when made a few days in advance allowing the flavors to fully blend together. Simply reheat prior to serving.
If making this recipe without bacon, I recommend adding a few drops of liquid smoke to give it the smoky quality that bacon would provide. Otherwise, omitting the bacon is perfectly fine.
Storage
- Cool Completely: Allow the beans to cool to room temperature before storing them.
- Airtight Container: Transfer the beans to an airtight container to maintain freshness.
- Refrigerate: Store the container in the refrigerator. Leftover beans will keep for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing Option: For longer storage, you can freeze the beans. Place them in a freezer-safe container or resealable plastic bag. They will keep for up to 2-3 months.
- Reheat Properly: When ready to eat, reheat the beans on the stovetop over medium heat or in the microwave until heated through. If frozen, thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
This post was first published in June 2013. It was modified and updated May 2024.
What to Serve with Hawaiian Beans with Bacon and Pineapple?
Hawaiian Style Beans - The Recipe Card
Ingredients
- 6 slices applewood bacon diced
- 1 cup green pepper diced fine
- 1 cup sweet onion diced
- 1 6-ounce can crushed pineapple, drained (or an equal amount fresh pineapple finely diced)
- ¾ cup ketchup
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 14.5 ounce cans pork and beans in tomato sauce, slightly drained or 1 large 28 ounce can
Instructions
- Place the bacon pieces in a skillet or your Multi-Purpose cooker set to sauté. Over a medium-low heat, cook, stirring, until the bacon renders its fat and has brown edges. (It doesn't need to be crispy). Remove or add fat to the pan to have about 1 ½ tablespoons of fat (bacon grease is best, but oil is a fine substitute).Saute the pepper and onion for about 5 minutes, or until softened.Add the beans and the pineapple, stir well. Add the pineapple, ketchup, brown sugar, and Worcestershire, mix well.If cooking in the oven: Pour into a casserole dish, cover with foil, and bake at 300 degrees for about an hour.If cooking in your Multi-Cooker: Cover and cook on low for 3 hours, or high for 1 hour. If using a CrockPot or Slow-Cooker: Pour the ingredients into the cooker, cover and cook, 3 hours on low or 1 hour on high.
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