Copycat Big John's Beans 'N Fixin's Recipe | CDKitchen.com (2024)

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Copycat Big John's Beans 'N Fixin's Recipe | CDKitchen.com (3)

Copycat Big John's Beans 'N Fixin's Recipe | CDKitchen.com (4)


serves/makes:

ready in:

30-60 minutes

9 reviews
3 comments


ingredients


The "Fixin's"

1/2 cup sloppy joe sauce
1 1/2 tablespoon real bacon bits
1/2 tablespoon sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon molasses
1 teaspoon dried minced onion
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon dry mustard
1/8 teaspoon white vinegar
0.33 teaspoon black pepper

The Beans

1 can (16 ounce size) pork and beans

directions

Combine the sloppy joe sauce, bacon bits, sugar, molasses, onion, salt, mustard, vinegar, and black pepper in a bowl and mix well. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes or up to 8 hours.

Heat the pork and beans in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the "fixin's" and bring to a simmer. Let the beans simmer, stirring frequently, until heated through, about 10 minutes.

Serve the beans hot.

recipe tips


For a smokier flavor, add a dash of liquid smoke to the Fixin's.

Taste the mixture before simmering and adjust seasoning as necessary. Everyone's taste preferences for sweetness, saltiness, and acidity vary.

Gently simmer the beans to avoid burning the bottom. Stirring occasionally helps distribute heat evenly.

Serving the beans in a pre-warmed dish can help keep them warm longer if serving at a table.

common recipe questions


What are Big John's Beans?

Big John's Baked Beans 'n Fixin's refers to a line of canned baked beans that was popular in the United States during the late 20th century. The product was known for its hearty flavor and the addition of extra ingredients ("fixins") which were intended to enhance the taste and make the beans more of a stand-alone meal rather than just a side dish.

Can I use homemade beans instead of canned pork and beans?

Yes, you can use homemade beans. Cook your beans until tender, then proceed with the recipe as directed. Keep in mind, the flavor might vary slightly from the canned version.

Is there a substitute for sloppy joe sauce?

If you don't have sloppy joe sauce, you can use a combination of ketchup and barbecue sauce or tomato sauce with a bit of brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce as a substitute.

Can I make the Fixin's ahead of time?

Making the Fixin's ahead of time and refrigerating them allows the flavors to meld together even more. You can prepare it a day in advance.

Is there a vegetarian option for this dish?

For a vegetarian version, use a can of vegetarian beans and omit the real bacon bits or substitute them with vegetarian bacon bits.

How can I adjust the sweetness or spiciness of the dish?

Adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of sugar and molasses. For spiciness, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce according to your taste.

How should I store leftovers?

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consume within 3-4 days. Reheat in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of water if necessary to prevent sticking.

Can I cook this in a slow cooker?

Yes, after combining the beans and Fixin's, you can cook them in a slow cooker on low for 2-3 hours, making it ideal for potlucks or family gatherings.

Can I add additional ingredients to the beans?

Feel free to add ingredients like chopped bell peppers, smoked sausage slices, or a splash of bourbon for extra flavor.

Can I still buy Big John's Beans 'n Fixin's in stores?

It doesn't appear it is available any longer. But, you have this copycat recipe to make it yourself now!


nutrition data for big john's beans 'n fixin's

160 calories, 2 grams fat, 30 grams carbohydrates, 7 grams protein per serving. This recipe is low in fat.



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reviews & comments for big john's beans 'n fixin's

  1. E-Man REVIEW:
    July 3, 2020

    I had to deviate from the recipe slightly because the store didn't have Manwich sauce in stock. I had a choice of the store's brand of sloppy joe sauce or DelMonte, which was on sale for the same price as the store brand. Needless to say, I chose the latter. It's been many years since I've tasted Manwich sauce and the DelMonte seems to have a bolder, smokier flavor, which worked well for the beans, even if it lent them a somewhat different flavor profile than what I recall of Big John's. Nonetheless, I do not consider my attempt a failure by any means. I created something new that was inspired by Big John's.

  2. NC Angelfish February 7, 2019

    Used to buy these in the '70s and served with Saugys link hot dogs. I also added minced garlic which enhanced the flavor even more. Can't wait to try this recipe. :)

  3. Cyric REVIEW:
    December 25, 2018

    I have found, after several years of using this recipe for Christmas and Thanksgiving as my baked bean recipe, that doing a few things improve the overall taste at serving time.1. Halve the pepper called for, the original amount is just to much IMHO. (another comment says the same and i agree)2. Mix fixings and beans the night before and refrigerate over night to meld flavors. (heating before refrigerating also helps as well)I hope this helps anyone who likes the original, BJBB recipe, while this is not exactly the same, it still is a very good substitute.

  4. Guest Foodie October 8, 2018

    I swear that the bean sauce also had sweet pickle relish in it.

  5. BBHT REVIEW:
    May 13, 2017

    Tried it. Was very good. Put leftovers in fridge. The next day the flavors were even closer to original. will keep using it if I can't find the original.

  6. BEANO REVIEW:
    July 5, 2013

    Added some smoked sausage to this and it was da bomb! Never thought that a can of beans could taste so good.

  7. Bear November 26, 2012

    I haven't tried this yet...I plan on it. I do have a suggestion. I would use a can of Baked Beans like Bush's Original. I suggest this because the "Fixins" were added to a can of Big Johns Baked Beans that was attached under the fixins. That is what I plan on trying.

  8. BadJack REVIEW:
    September 29, 2012

    Not very much li8ke the original "Big John's" beans. However, it isn't bad as a different beans recipe.

  9. mullin REVIEW:
    July 2, 2010

    We added 1/4 pound smoked boston butt per pound of beans. They were absolutely divine. people have talked about them for the 2 years we've been serving them at the lake for our July 4th celebration!!!!!

  10. Copycat Big John's Beans 'N Fixin's Recipe | CDKitchen.com (15)

    qwiop REVIEW:
    July 19, 2009

    Very easy to make - excellent flavors - not just beans from a can. I did reduced liquid a tad the second time I made them (drained the beans) "Big John's!"

  11. Guest Foodie REVIEW:
    February 1, 2007

    Not even close to the original recipe. It's over-powered by the Manwich sauce, not sweet enough, and way too much pepper!

  12. Guest Foodie REVIEW:
    February 27, 2006

    These taste almost the same as the real thing Great copy cat recipe

Please note:
This is a copy cat recipe submitted to CDKitchen by a third-party. This recipe is not an original recipe unless specifically stated and is considered only to be an acceptable "clone" to the original for the home cook to attempt to duplicate. Please also note that many nationwide restaurant chains vary their menus and ingredients by region so the version provided may not be similar to what you may have tried before. All trademarks referenced are property of their respective owners.

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Copycat Big John's Beans 'N Fixin's Recipe | CDKitchen.com (2024)

FAQs

What happened to Big John's beans and Fixins? ›

Big John's Beans 'N Fixins was a very delicious prepared baked beans product which was recently discontinued.

Do they still sell Big John beans? ›

Hunt's Big John's Beans 'n Fixins ceased production according to the last product update from ConAgra Foods effective 03-21-2006.

How do I make my baked beans thick? ›

Flour or Cornstarch Thickening:Mix 1-2 tablespoons of flour or cornstarch with equal parts water to create a smooth paste. Stir the paste into the simmering green beans. Allow the mixture to cook for a few more minutes until it thickens. Butter and Flour Roux:In a separate pan, melt butter over medium heat.

How do you make canned beans nicer? ›

You can add crushed whole seeds (coriander, cumin, fennel, mustard, etc.), woodsy herbs (thyme, oregano, rosemary, sage), red pepper flakes, crushed garlic cloves, and of course salt and pepper.

What are the big beans? ›

Gigante Beans (you may also know them as Royal Corona beans if you are familiar with Rancho Gordo beans) are extra-large white runner beans, common in Greek cuisine. They have a sweet, mild taste, meaty texture, and hold their shape well through cooking.

What were navy beans called before they were called navy beans? ›

Navy beans are also called Boston beans, Yankee beans, haricots, or pea beans. Navy beans are white, oval-shaped, and about the size of a pea. They have a mild, delicate flavor.

What are the most sold beans? ›

What are the most popular dry beans (U.S. per capita use)?
  • Pinto beans.
  • Navy beans.
  • Great Northern beans.
  • Red kidney beans.
  • Black beans.

Where does Bush's baked beans get their beans? ›

“The beans come in from North Dakota and Michigan,” Fultz says. They are cooked, seasoned and packed on-site at Chestnut Hill and in Bush's second manufacturing plant in Augusta, Wisconsin. “The Augusta facility does the same operations as Chestnut Hill,” Fultz says.

What are the big red beans? ›

Red kidney beans are larger in size, with thicker skin and a slightly richer hue. Both can be used to make an appetizing red beans and rice dish, but dried kidney beans may have to soak longer before cooking.

What can you add to baked beans to make them tastier? ›

Here's what we dress them up with:
  1. Bacon.
  2. Onion.
  3. Maple syrup.
  4. Spicy mustard.
  5. Beef sausage.
  6. Molasses.
  7. Ketchup.
  8. Cider vinegar.
Jun 20, 2023

Why are my baked beans always hard? ›

Even if they were before their expiry date, if your storage area/pantry gets very hot, it could have affected the beans. Lastly, do make sure that you did soak the beans sufficiently (some require 12 hours). And then, make sure that you did cook them long enough after proper soaking (some take 3 or 4 hours).

Why are my baked beans so dry? ›

If the cooking liquid has evaporated and the topmost beans look like they're at risk of drying out, just add more of the bean-cooking liquid. If and when you run out of bean-cooking liquid, switch to boiling water.

Why you should always rinse canned beans? ›

According to The Bean Institute, you can reduce up to 41 percent of the sodium in canned beans by rinsing them. "It's fine to add the bean liquid to many recipes, but if you want to reduce the amount of sodium, it's best to drain and rinse canned beans," the website states.

Why are my home canned beans mushy? ›

Beans too soft after canning

It can vary based on how old the dried beans were that you started with. First a warehouse stores them, then a store, then you. The older they are, the drier the beans will be, and the drier they are the longer it takes for them to absorb water.

What happened to Grandma Brown's beans? ›

Major stores sold them, and her name and product became the stuff of legends. But what happened! Grandma Brown's Baked Beans have disappeared from the store shelves, her factory in Mexico, NY is closed, and there are no plans to bring the food item back. And the public is not a bit happy about that!

What is up with Boston and beans? ›

The ingredient that separates Boston Baked Beans from all others – molasses – probably entered the mix in the mid-18th century, as Boston's centrality to the triangular trade grew. Molasses, produced by the exploitation of enslaved persons on plantations in the Caribbean, was shipped to Boston to make rum.

What happened to B and M Baked Beans? ›

In 2021, owner B&G Foods Inc. announced that the B&M Baked Beans factory would close. In August of that year the company removed the factory's brick smoke stack. In 2023, the new owner Roux Institute began demolition of ancillary factory buildings to make way for the construction of the Roux Institute campus.

What happened to Mason's beans? ›

UPDATE: Masons Beans stopped trading in May 2016. Despite incredible hype and strong customer demand, we weren't able to secure the mainstream supermarket listings which are imperative for a fresh product. Thank you so much to everyone that supported us. Masons Beans are a healthy, tasty and filling one-pot meal.

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