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Copycat Big John's Beans 'N Fixin's
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Finding a flavorful side dish is easy with Big John's Beans 'N Fixin's. Simply mix canned pork and beans with quick sauces and seasonings for a tasty accompaniment in no time.
serves/makes:
ready in:
30-60 minutes
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
160 calories, 2 grams fat, 30 grams carbohydrates, 7 grams protein per serving. This recipe is low in fat.
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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reviews & comments
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.
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. :)
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.
I swear that the bean sauce also had sweet pickle relish in it.
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.
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.
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.
September 29, 2012
Not very much li8ke the original "Big John's" beans. However, it isn't bad as a different beans recipe.
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!!!!!
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!"
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!
February 27, 2006
These taste almost the same as the real thing Great copy cat recipe