Best Baked Beans Recipe
This recipe for Best Baked Beans features smoky apple or cherrywood bacon, sweet molasses, tangy mustard, and a blend of spices baked to perfection in a Dutch oven. The beans are slow-cooked in a rich sauce until bubbly and caramelized, making for a hearty and flavorful side dish perfect for barbecues, picnics, or comforting weeknight dinners.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Scale
Bacon and Vegetables
- 1/2 lb. apple or cherrywood smoked bacon, finely chopped
- 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, seeds and ribs removed, finely chopped
- 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
- 2 tsp. kosher salt, divided
Sauce
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
Beans
- 3 (15-oz.) cans navy beans, drained and rinsed
Instructions
- Cook the Bacon: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Place the chopped bacon into a cold, large Dutch oven or any ovenproof pot. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, for about 10 minutes until the bacon is browned and much of the fat has rendered out.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Add the finely chopped onion, red bell pepper, black pepper, smoked paprika, and 1 teaspoon of salt to the bacon. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes until the vegetables have softened and released their fragrance.
- Prepare the Sauce: Stir in the ketchup, molasses, Dijon mustard, light brown sugar, water, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and the remaining 1 teaspoon of salt. Bring this mixture to a gentle simmer, then remove the pot from heat.
- Add the Beans: Stir in the drained and rinsed navy beans until they are evenly coated with the sauce.
- Bake the Beans: Transfer the Dutch oven or pot, uncovered, to the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 45 minutes until the sauce is slightly reduced, bubbly, and the top is nicely browned.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the beans from the oven and let them sit for 10 minutes to thicken and develop flavor before stirring and serving warm.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and replace with smoked paprika or liquid smoke for flavor.
- Use low-sodium canned beans to control the salt content if desired.
- Make sure to render the bacon fat well to avoid greasy beans.
- Letting the beans rest after baking allows the sauce to thicken nicely.
- These baked beans can be made a day ahead and reheated for enhanced flavor.
Keywords: baked beans, smoked bacon, navy beans, molasses, barbecue side dish, easy baked beans, comfort food
Find it online: https://kitchenbyclara.com/best-baked-beans-recipe/
