Hawaiian Beans with Bacon & Pineapple: A Sweet & Savory Twist

When you think of a classic side dish for a summer barbecue, baked beans probably come to mind. But what if we told you that this humble side could be the star of the show? It’s time to transport your taste buds to a tropical paradise with these unforgettable Hawaiian Style Beans. This isn’t your average pot of beans; it’s a vibrant, flavor-packed dish that perfectly balances sweet, savory, and smoky notes. Infused with the sweetness of pineapple, the saltiness of bacon, and a rich, tangy sauce, this recipe transforms ordinary beans into an extraordinary culinary experience that will have everyone asking for the recipe.

Ingredients

Timing

• Preparation Time: 15 minutes
• Cooking Time: 1 hour (Oven) or 1-3 hours (Slow Cooker)
• Total Time: Approximately 1 hour 15 minutes to 3 hours 15 minutes

The cooking time varies depending on your chosen method, making this a flexible dish for any occasion.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Render the Bacon

this now & bake later ❤️

Place the diced bacon into a large skillet or a multi-cooker set to sauté. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the bacon has rendered most of its fat and is beginning to get brown and crispy at the edges. It doesn’t need to be fully crisp at this stage. Tip: Cooking the bacon slowly allows the fat to melt away, leaving you with perfectly textured bacon pieces and flavorful grease for the next step.

Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables

Carefully drain off the excess bacon grease from the pan, leaving about 1 ½ tablespoons behind. Add the diced green pepper and onion to the pan with the bacon. Sauté for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the vegetables have softened and become fragrant.

Step 3: Combine All Ingredients

Now it’s time to build the flavor. Add the slightly drained pork and beans and the drained crushed pineapple to the skillet. Stir everything together gently. Follow with the ketchup, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce, and mix until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined and the sauce is uniform.

Step 4: Choose Your Cooking Method

This recipe is wonderfully versatile. Choose the method that works best for you:

• For the Oven: Pour the bean mixture into a 2-quart casserole dish. Cover it tightly with aluminum foil and bake at 300°F (150°C) for about one hour, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully.
• For a Multi-Cooker or Slow Cooker: Transfer the entire mixture into your cooker. Cover and cook on the low setting for 3 hours or on the high setting for 1 hour. The slow cooking process makes the beans incredibly tender and flavorful.

Nutritional Information

This dish is a hearty and flavorful side, perfect for gatherings. While exact nutritional values vary, it’s a source of protein and fiber from the beans. Be mindful that it is an indulgent side dish containing sugar and bacon.

Healthier Alternatives

Want to lighten up this tropical treat? Try these easy swaps:

• Leaner Protein: Substitute the bacon with turkey bacon or a smoked turkey sausage for a lower-fat option.
• Reduce the Sugar: You can reduce the amount of brown sugar by half or use a sugar substitute. Using pineapple packed in its own juice instead of syrup will also help.
• Go Vegetarian: For a vegetarian version, simply omit the bacon and use a tablespoon of olive oil or butter to sauté the vegetables. Add a dash of liquid smoke to replicate that smoky flavor.

Serving Suggestions

These Hawaiian Style Beans are the ultimate side dish for any potluck, cookout, or family dinner. They pair perfectly with:

• Grilled chicken or pork chops
• Pulled pork sandwiches
• Hamburgers and hot dogs
• A simple side of cornbread to soak up the delicious sauce

Serve them warm, straight from the oven or slow cooker, for a taste of aloha that will impress all your guests.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Not Draining the Beans or Pineapple: Using beans or pineapple with too much liquid can result in a watery, thin sauce. Solution: Be sure to slightly drain the beans and thoroughly drain the crushed pineapple before adding them to the mix.
• Rushing the Bacon: Cooking the bacon too quickly over high heat can cause it to burn before the fat has rendered. Solution: Cook the bacon slowly over medium-low heat to ensure it cooks evenly and provides the perfect flavor base.
• Under-cooking the Beans: This dish needs time for the flavors to meld. Solution: Don’t rush the final cooking process. Whether in the oven or a slow cooker, give the beans the full time required to let the sweet and savory notes develop into a rich, cohesive sauce.

Storing Tips

• Refrigeration: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors often get even better the next day!
• Reheating: Gently reheat the beans in a saucepan over low heat on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through.
• Make-Ahead: This is a fantastic make-ahead dish. You can prepare it completely and store it in the fridge. Simply reheat before serving, or assemble it and refrigerate until you’re ready to cook it in the oven or slow cooker.

Conclusion

This recipe for Hawaiian Style Beans is more than just a side dish; it’s a flavor-packed journey to the tropics. The incredible combination of smoky bacon, sweet pineapple, and tangy sauce creates a memorable dish that elevates any meal. It’s easy to make, perfect for a crowd, and destined to become a new family favorite. We encourage you to give this recipe a try and bring a little sunshine to your dinner table. Let us know what you think in the comments below!

FAQs

Q1. Can I use a different type of bean?

Yes, while pork and beans are traditional, you can substitute them with two cans of drained kidney beans, pinto beans, or even a mix of your favorites. You may need to adjust the sauce seasonings slightly to your taste.

Q2. Can I use fresh pineapple instead of canned?

Absolutely! Fresh, finely diced pineapple will add an even brighter, tangier flavor. Use about ¾ to 1 cup of finely diced fresh pineapple as a substitute for the 6-ounce can of crushed pineapple.

Q3. Can I make these beans spicy?

Of course. For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes, a dash of your favorite hot sauce, or some finely diced jalapeño to the vegetable sauté. Adjust the amount to your preferred level of heat.

Hawaiian Beans with Bacon & Pineapple: A Sweet & Savory Twist

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• Author: Evelyn Marcella Rivera
• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x

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Description

You’ll love how these Hawaiian beans with bacon and pineapple walk the perfect line between sweet and savory. Smoky applewood bacon, bell pepper, and onion build a savory base, while ketchup, brown sugar, and crushed pineapple create a glossy island-style sauce that clings to every bean. Make them low-and-slow in the oven or hands-off in your slow cooker—either way, you get a crowd-pleasing side for potlucks, barbecues, and weeknights.

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 6 slices smoky applewood bacon, diced
• 1 cup green bell pepper, diced fine
• 1 cup sweet onion, diced
• 1 (6-ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
• 3/4 cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 large (28-ounce) can pork and beans in tomato sauce, slightly drained
  or 2 (14.5-ounce) cans

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Instructions

1. Render the bacon: Add diced bacon to a large skillet (or multi-cooker on Sauté). Cook over medium-low, stirring occasionally, until much of the fat renders and edges begin to crisp.

2. Sauté vegetables: Carefully spoon off excess grease, leaving about 1½ tablespoons in the pan. Add bell pepper and onion; sauté ~5 minutes until softened and fragrant.

3. Combine: Stir in the slightly drained pork and beans and the drained crushed pineapple. Add ketchup, brown sugar, and Worcestershire; mix until the sauce is uniform.

4. Choose your method:

   • Oven: Transfer to a 2-quart casserole, cover tightly with foil, and bake at 300°F (150°C) for 1 hour.

   • Slow cooker / Multi-cooker: Transfer to the cooker, cover, and cook LOW 3 hours or HIGH 1 hour.

5. Serve: Stir, taste, and adjust seasoning if desired. Let stand 5–10 minutes to thicken before serving.

Notes

• Make-ahead: Assemble up to 24 hours in advance; cover and refrigerate. Bake/slow-cook as directed, adding 5–10 minutes if starting cold.
• Thicker sauce: Uncover for the last 10–15 minutes in the oven or simmer 5–10 minutes on Sauté after slow cooking.
• Add heat: Stir in 1–2 teaspoons chili garlic sauce or a pinch of red pepper flakes.
• Extra smoky: Replace part of the ketchup with 2–3 tablespoons barbecue sauce or add ½ teaspoon smoked paprika.
• Serving ideas: Pile alongside grilled chicken, pulled pork, ribs, or a simple green salad and cornbread.
• Storage: Refrigerate up to 4 days; freeze up to 2 months. Reheat gently with a splash of water if needed.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Side Dish
• Method: Oven or Slow Cooker
• Cuisine: American (Hawaiian-Inspired)

Nutrition

• Serving Size: ¾ cup
• Calories: 240
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 780 mg
• Fat: 4 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Carbohydrates: 46 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg