What are the ingredients in Bush's brown sugar hickory?

November 13, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the official product label, the primary ingredients in Bush's Brown Sugar Hickory beans are prepared navy beans, water, sugar, and brown sugar. This classic side dish gets its distinctive flavor from a blend of sweet and savory components, including mustard and natural hickory flavor. The exact formulation provides a rich and smoky taste that is perfect for barbecues and family meals.

Quick Summary

This article provides a comprehensive overview of the ingredients found in Bush's Brown Sugar Hickory baked beans, highlighting key components like navy beans, sweeteners, spices, and flavorings. It discusses the function of each ingredient and addresses common dietary concerns like vegetarian status and allergens.

Key Points

Core Components: Bush's Brown Sugar Hickory beans are based on prepared navy beans, water, sugar, and brown sugar.
Flavor Profile: The sweet and savory flavor comes from a blend of brown sugar, mustard, tomato puree, and natural hickory flavoring.
Vegetarian Status: The standard version of the product is vegetarian and does not contain cured bacon.
Allergens: The product contains mustard and is naturally gluten-free.
Thickening Agent: Modified corn starch is used to thicken the sauce and achieve a desirable consistency.
Canning and Preservatives: The beans are preserved through the canning process, not with added chemical preservatives.

Core Ingredients of Bush's Brown Sugar Hickory

Bush's Brown Sugar Hickory baked beans are a popular side dish, and understanding their composition is key for those with specific dietary needs or simply curious about what they consume. The product's ingredient list is a combination of whole foods, sweeteners, and flavor enhancers that create its signature sweet and smoky profile. The following is a breakdown of the key components.

The Foundational Ingredients

At the heart of the product are the tender, prepared beans and the liquid base that makes up the sauce.

Prepared Navy Beans: These small, white, oval-shaped beans are a staple for baked beans.
Water: The base of the sauce.
Sweeteners: Primarily sugar and brown sugar. Some formulations may also include corn syrup solids and maltodextrin.

Flavor and Spice Enhancers

The complex, savory taste comes from a careful combination of spices and other ingredients.

Tomato Puree (Tomato Paste, Water): Provides a rich, slightly acidic backbone.
White Mustard: Critical for the authentic baked bean tang, made from vinegar, water, mustard seed, and salt.
Salt: Enhances all other flavors.
Natural Flavor: Includes the specific hickory notes.
Onion and Garlic Powder: Provide depth and savory flavor.

Texture and Coloring Agents

To ensure consistent texture and appearance, a few additional items are included.

Modified Corn Starch: Used as a thickening agent for the sauce.
Caramel Color: Gives the beans their deep brown color.
Vinegar: Provides an extra layer of tangy acidity.

Full Ingredients List Breakdown

The full list of ingredients as found on the product label includes prepared navy beans, water, sugar, brown sugar, and less than 2% of tomato puree, salt, white mustard, modified corn starch, onion, caramel color, vinegar, spice, garlic powder, and natural flavor.

Potential Dietary and Allergen Information

Bush's Brown Sugar Hickory beans are naturally vegetarian and gluten-free, but they contain mustard. Some older versions may have contained cured bacon. A comparison table highlights potential recipe variations.


Feature	Standard Brown Sugar Hickory (Vegetarian)	Older Brown Sugar Hickory (Potentially Not Vegetarian)
Beans	Prepared Navy Beans	Prepared Navy Beans
Base	Water	Water
Sweeteners	Sugar, Brown Sugar	Brown Sugar, Sugar
Flavorings	Tomato Puree, Mustard, Spices, Natural Flavor, Onion, Garlic	Brown Sugar, Cured Bacon, Mustard, Spices, Onion, Garlic
Thickener	Modified Corn Starch	Modified Corn Starch
Color	Caramel Color	Caramel Color
Allergens	Mustard	Mustard, Meat (Cured Bacon)
Vegetarian Status	Yes	No (if contains bacon)

Conclusion: Understanding the Ingredients

Bush's Brown Sugar Hickory baked beans achieve their classic taste through a combination of simple, yet thoughtfully selected, components. Tender navy beans form the core, while a sweet and tangy sauce made from brown sugar, mustard, and tomato puree provides the characteristic flavor profile. Seasonings like onion and garlic powder, along with natural hickory flavoring, round out the recipe. For dietary restrictions, checking the most recent label is always the best practice to confirm vegetarian status and avoid specific allergens like mustard.

Is Bush's brown sugar hickory gluten-free? Bush's confirms that their Brown Sugar Hickory Baked Beans are gluten-free.

What is the brown sugar hickory flavor? The flavor comes from real brown sugar for sweetness and natural flavorings that replicate the smoky taste of hickory smoke. Mustard and other spices add complexity.

Do Bush's brown sugar hickory baked beans contain bacon? The standard vegetarian version does not contain bacon. However, checking the specific product label is recommended due to potential older formulations.

Are Bush's brown sugar hickory beans vegan? While vegetarian, they are not strictly vegan because sugar is an ingredient, and some sugar processing may use bone char.

What type of beans are used in Bush's brown sugar hickory? Prepared navy beans are used, known for their creamy texture.

How does the sauce thicken? Modified corn starch is used as a thickener.

What are the natural flavors in the beans? The "natural flavor" includes the hickory taste and other subtle seasonings.

What gives the beans their color? Caramel color provides the deep brown appearance.

Why is mustard listed as an ingredient? White mustard provides a tangy and slightly sharp flavor that balances the sweetness.

What role does salt play in the recipe? Salt enhances the overall flavor profile.

Is the brown sugar real brown sugar? Yes, the recipe includes both white and brown sugar.

Are there any preservatives in Bush's brown sugar hickory beans? The ingredient list does not specify artificial preservatives; canning is the method of preservation.

Why does the can list "Contains 2% or Less of..."? This groups ingredients present in small amounts, listed in descending order by weight.

Can I find the full nutritional information online? Yes, the official Bush's website and other sites provide full nutritional facts.

Is the can recyclable? Yes, the steel cans are typically recyclable.

Is Bush's brown sugar hickory beans a good source of protein? Yes, baked beans are a good source of plant-based protein.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, the standard variety of Bush's Brown Sugar Hickory baked beans is vegetarian and does not contain any meat products like bacon. Always check the specific can's label to confirm.

No, the current standard recipe for Bush's Brown Sugar Hickory baked beans is vegetarian and does not include bacon. Older or different varieties of Bush's baked beans have included bacon, so checking the label is the safest approach.

The beans used in Bush's Brown Sugar Hickory are prepared navy beans, which are small, white, and have a smooth texture when cooked.

The hickory flavor comes from "natural flavor" additives listed on the ingredient label. The specific blend is proprietary, but it is derived from natural sources.

Yes, according to Bush's Best, their Brown Sugar Hickory Baked Beans are gluten-free, making them safe for individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

Modified corn starch is used as a thickener in the sauce to give it a rich, smooth consistency. This is a common and safe food additive for texture.

The main allergen listed in the ingredients is mustard, which is part of the white mustard added for flavor. As always, individuals with allergies should carefully review the label.