🫘 Mrs. Yoder's Amish Baked Beans Recipe (The One That Converts Lima Bean Haters!)

Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes | Serves: 12-15 people

Jump to Recipe

Jump to:

• 🤔 What Makes Mrs. Yoder's Baked Beans So Special?
• 🏡 Why Are Baked Beans Popular Among the Amish?
• 🛒 Ingredients You'll Need
• 🔄 Ingredient Substitutions and Variations
• 📅 Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
• 🍽️ Best Occasions for These Beans
• 🔧 Equipment Needed
• 📋 Step-by-Step Instructions
• 🔧 Troubleshooting Tips
• 🥄 Serving Suggestions
• 🔄 Recipe Variations
• ❓ Frequently Asked Questions
• 🫘 More Amish Bean and Side Dish Recipes
• 🖨️ Full Recipe

No, this recipe isn't from our Mrs. Yoder, who pens The Amish Cook column, but from an Amish woman in Highland County, Ohio. I sampled her recipe several years ago at a benefit supper and I have to say it was probably the best baked bean recipe I had ever tried before despite the inclusion of, gack, Lima beans. I thought I hated Lima beans. I guess I don't when they are in this recipe swimming in bacony, saucy bliss. This is some good stuff!

🤔 What Makes Mrs. Yoder's Baked Beans So Special?

This isn't your average baked bean recipe. What sets Mrs. Yoder's version apart is the perfect balance of four different beans, each contributing its own texture and flavor, all brought together with a sweet and tangy bacon-infused sauce that transforms even the most stubborn lima bean hater.

The secret is in the combination:

• Kidney beans provide hearty texture and hold their shape
• Butter beans add creaminess
• Lima beans contribute subtle flavor (trust me on this!)
• Pork and beans bring familiar comfort food taste

The sauce strikes the perfect balance between sweet molasses and tangy vinegar, with bacon adding that smoky richness that makes these beans absolutely irresistible.

🏡 Why Are Baked Beans Popular Among the Amish?

Amish baked beans are a favorite because the Amish often host very large gatherings, sometimes 100-200 people or more. And it's easy to fill a huge roaster or two with baked beans and feed a ton of people. It's also pretty easy to put a couple roasters with lids into a buggy and transport them. The beans are full of fiber and protein and flavor and are a favorite for dipping bread into or just enjoying by the spoonful.

There are so many variations of baked bean recipes. Some involve soaking beans overnight, others involve just buying some cans of beans off the shelf at the store, dumping them into a roaster, adding seasonings, and popping in the oven.

Most Amish baked beans involve bacon. So this recipe is a classic example of traditional Amish baked bean cooking!

🛒 Ingredients You'll Need

The Bean Mix:

• 15 ounces kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
• 15 ounces butter beans (drained and rinsed)
• 15 ounces lima beans (drained and rinsed)
• 15 ounces pork and beans (drained)

The Flavor Base:

• ½ pound bacon, cut into small pieces
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped

The Sauce:

• ¾ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup ketchup
• ½ cup vinegar
• ¼ cup molasses
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard

🔄 Ingredient Substitutions and Variations

Bean Substitutions:

• Don't like lima beans? Use pinto beans or navy beans
• Want more protein? Add an extra can of kidney beans
• Prefer milder flavor? Replace lima beans with cannellini beans

Meat Variations:

• Turkey bacon for a leaner option
• Kielbasa cut into coins (as reader Nana suggests!)
• Ground beef (1 lb, cooked and drained)

Sauce Adjustments:

• Less sweet: Reduce brown sugar to ½ cup
• More tangy: Add an extra 2 tablespoons vinegar
• BBQ twist: Replace ketchup with your favorite BBQ sauce

📅 Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

Make-Ahead Instructions:

• Assemble completely up to 24 hours ahead
• Cover tightly and refrigerate
• Add 15-20 extra minutes to baking time if cooking from cold

Storage:

• Refrigerator: Keeps 4-5 days in covered container
• Freezer: Freezes well for up to 3 months
• Reheating: Microwave portions or reheat in 350°F oven until hot

Crowd-Feeding Tips:

• Double the recipe for 25+ people
• Use a large roasting pan or two 9x13 dishes
• Perfect for potlucks, BBQs, and church dinners

🍽️ Best Occasions for These Beans

Perfect for:

• Summer BBQs and cookouts - Pairs perfectly with grilled meats
• Potluck dinners - Always a crowd-pleaser
• Holiday gatherings - Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day
• Church suppers - Feeds a crowd economically
• Camping trips - Can be made in Dutch ovens
• Game day parties - Hearty and satisfying

🔧 Equipment Needed

Essential:

• Large saucepan or skillet for bacon
• 2-quart casserole dish or 9x13 baking dish
• Can opener
• Whisk for sauce

Optional but Helpful:

• Large roasting pan for bigger batches
• Slow cooker (see variation below)

📋 Step-by-Step Instructions

Prep Work (15 minutes):

1. Preheat oven to 350°F
2. Drain and rinse all beans except pork and beans (just drain those)
3. Chop bacon, onion, and garlic

Cook the Base (10 minutes): 4. Cook bacon in large saucepan over medium heat until starting to brown 5. Add onion and garlic, cook until bacon is crispy and onions are soft (about 10 minutes total) 6. Pour off excess fat, leaving about 2 tablespoons

Make the Sauce (5 minutes): 7. Whisk brown sugar, ketchup, vinegar, molasses, and mustard into the bacon mixture 8. Simmer until well combined and slightly thickened, about 5 minutes

Assemble and Bake (1 hour 15 minutes): 9. Place all beans in your casserole dish and mix gently 10. Pour the bacon sauce over beans and stir to combine 11. Bake uncovered for 1 hour 15 minutes, until bubbling and slightly thickened

🔧 Troubleshooting Tips

Beans too dry? Add ¼ cup water or bean liquid and continue baking

Too liquidy? Remove cover and bake an extra 15-20 minutes to reduce liquid

Want more bacon flavor? Cook an extra 2-3 strips of bacon, crumble, and sprinkle on top before serving

Not sweet enough? Drizzle with a little extra molasses before serving

🥄 Serving Suggestions

Classic Pairings:

• Grilled burgers and hot dogs
• BBQ ribs or pulled pork
• Cornbread or dinner rolls
• Coleslaw and potato salad
• Grilled corn on the cob

Creative Serving Ideas:

• Over baked potatoes for a hearty meal
• Alongside scrambled eggs for breakfast
• As a side with fried chicken
• With cornbread for dipping

🔄 Recipe Variations

Slow Cooker Version

Follow steps 1-8, then transfer everything to a slow cooker. Cook on low 4-6 hours or high 2-3 hours.

Cowboy Baked Beans

Add 1 lb cooked ground beef to the recipe and use barbecue sauce instead of ketchup.

Vegetarian Version

Omit bacon and add:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil for cooking onions
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika for smoky flavor
• Extra teaspoon of dry mustard

Spicy Version

Add:

• 1-2 diced jalapeños with the onions
• 1 teaspoon chipotle chili powder to the sauce
• Dash of hot sauce to taste

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use dried beans instead of canned? A: Yes, but you'll need to soak and partially cook them first. Use about 3 cups total mixed dried beans, soaked overnight and cooked until just tender.

Q: How do I know when they're done? A: The beans should be bubbling around the edges and the sauce should be thickened but not dried out.

Q: Can I make this in a slow cooker? A: Absolutely! Follow the stovetop steps, then transfer to slow cooker and cook on low 4-6 hours.

Q: What if I can't find butter beans? A: Cannellini beans or navy beans work great as substitutes.

Q: How many people does this serve? A: This generously serves 12-15 people as a side dish, or 8-10 as a main dish.

Q: Can I cut the recipe in half? A: Yes! Use a smaller 1.5-quart dish and reduce baking time to about 45 minutes.

🫘 More Amish Bean and Side Dish Recipes

If you love these baked beans, try these other crowd-pleasing Amish sides:

Amish Macaroni Salad - Perfect potluck companion

Amish Cornbread - Ideal for dipping in these beans

Amish Coleslaw - Cool contrast to these hearty beans

🖨️ Full Recipe

Mrs. Yoder's Famous Amish Baked Beans

The bean recipe that converts lima bean haters - perfect for feeding crowds!

Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes | Serves: 12-15

Ingredients:

Bean Mix:

• 15 ounces kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 15 ounces butter beans, drained and rinsed
• 15 ounces lima beans, drained and rinsed
• 15 ounces pork and beans, drained

Flavor Base:

• ½ pound bacon, cut into small pieces
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped

Sauce:

• ¾ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup ketchup
• ½ cup vinegar
• ¼ cup molasses
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard

Instructions:

1. Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F. Drain beans and place in a 2-quart casserole dish.
2. Cook bacon mixture: In a large saucepan over medium heat, cook bacon, onion, and garlic until bacon is browned and onions are soft, about 10 minutes. Pour off excess fat.
3. Make sauce: Whisk brown sugar, ketchup, vinegar, molasses, and mustard into the bacon mixture. Simmer until combined, about 5 minutes.
4. Combine: Pour sauce over beans in casserole dish and stir to combine.
5. Bake: Bake uncovered for 1 hour 15 minutes, until bubbling and sauce is thickened.

Notes:

• Can be made 24 hours ahead - just add extra baking time
• Freezes well for up to 3 months
• Perfect for potlucks and BBQs
• Don't skip the lima beans - they add amazing texture!

Nutrition (approximate per serving): 285 calories, 8g fat, 45g carbohydrates, 12g fiber, 14g protein

---

Made this recipe? Let me know in the comments how it turned out! These beans are always a hit at gatherings - even with people who swear they don't like lima beans.